Montaza

Montaza (Arabic:المنتزه, Translated: "The Park") is the name of both a district and a neighborhood in Alexandria, Egypt. The district includes the neighborhood, but the two are legally distinct.

Montaza District

The district of al-Montaza (Template:Lang-ar Ḥayy al-Muntazah) is a local government district of Alexandria Governorate on the north-eastern end of the city along the coast. Besides the neighborhood of al-Montazah which gives it its name, Montaza District includes the neighborhoods of Syouf, al-Falaky, al-Mandarah, Sidi Bishr, Maamoura, Khurshid, Bahari, Abu Qir and parts of al-Assafra. With a population of approximately 1.2 million, Montaza District is the largest district of the governorate by population.

The Montaza District central administration building is in Sidi Bishr, at the intersection of Masgid Sidi Bishr and Malak Hefni Streets, near the Sidi Bishr station for Alexandria's intra-city rail system.

Montaza neighborhood

The neighborhood of al-Montaza (Template:Lang-ar Manṭiqat al-Muntazah) is at the far northeast end of Montaza District, along the coast. First settled under the monarchy, the neighborhood is considered rather upscale, and is a favored tourist spot in Alexandria on account of the gardens, parks, and royal palaces left by its royal heritage. The Montaza Palace, which gives the neighborhood its name, was constructed during the reign of the Khedive Abbas II, the royal family's habit of summering in the palace eventually drew wealthy Egyptians and foreigners to the same location (although foreigners in general tended to congregate at the opposite end of the city, in al-Agami.

Al-Montaza also plays host to a noted clock tower, two old hotels (the Helnan Palestine and Salamlek Palace), and a Sheraton.

An approach to the word "Montaza"

"Montaza" does mean "park", but like most words in Arabic there is an essence that is missing by literal English translation. It can only be understood with a greater awareness of the root: "nazuha". This means variably - to be far, untouched, unblemished, and free. Thus "montaza" takes meanings such as promenade, walk, stroll; recreation ground; park. These are according to Hans Wehr. But having visited this place, it is a little oasis seemingly far removed, untouched, unblemished and free from the bustle of daily life in Alexandria and so much more so when compared to Cairo. المنتزه

See also

• Neighborhoods in Alexandria