Ismailia — De Lesseps' Lost Canal Secret

Your journey in Ismailia begins in front of the main façade of the Suez Canal Authority Building, an edifice constructed in the early 20th century. This building, the regional headquarters of the canal administration on the western shore of Lake Timsah, is at the heart of the Suez Canal's history. Ismailia, founded in 1863 by Louis Maurice Adolphe Linant de Bellefonds, became the administrative capital of the canal by the late 19th century, making this city a major decision-making center for the operation of the waterway. This symbolic building was a silent witness to the 1956 Suez Crisis and the Israeli-Egyptian conflicts of the 1960s and 1970s.

Continue your exploration of Ismailia towards Lake Timsah, a natural saltwater lake approximately 5 km long and 3 km wide, formed by land subsidence and seawater infiltration via the Suez Canal. The city of Ismailia was founded around this lake, which served as an essential water reserve for the construction of the Suez Canal and a resting place for European workers and engineers, including Ferdinand de Lesseps. Today, Lake Timsah is a recreational site with a developed promenade, while remaining a key element of the Suez Canal's history and Ismailia's urban heritage.

Your quest then leads you to the Ismailia Museum, inaugurated in the second half of the 20th century, likely in the 1970s. This venue is dedicated to preserving local history, particularly that of the Suez Canal and the city of Ismailia. Its collections include archaeological artifacts, historical documents, and memorabilia related to the construction of the Suez Canal, as well as the daily life of Ismailia's inhabitants in the 19th and 20th centuries. The museum is a reference point for understanding the historical and cultural context of the 'Ismailia — The Lost Secret of Lesseps' Canal' journey.

Your itinerary guides you to St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Church in Ismailia, built in the first half of the 20th century, probably in the 1920s or 1930s. This church, dedicated to Saint Mark, the patron saint of the Coptic Orthodox Church, was erected to serve the Coptic community that grew with the arrival of Egyptian workers and engineers for the construction of the Suez Canal. It showcases modern Coptic religious architecture, integrating traditional domes and icons with contemporary construction techniques, playing an important role in the spiritual life of Ismailia. Nearby, Mohamed Ali Street, a commercial and residential thoroughfare developed in the early 20th century, reflects Ismailia's urban expansion thanks to international trade.

Your walk concludes at the Ferdinand de Lesseps Garden and its dedicated monument. The garden, created in the 19th century, offers views of Lake Timsah and Ismailia's historic buildings, recalling the French engineer's role in the construction of the Suez Canal. The monument, erected in the early 20th century near Lake Timsah, is a landmark celebrating his historical importance. By visiting these sites, you have traced the history of Ismailia, from its founding in 1863 to its central role in the Suez Canal, discovering the urban heritage and monuments that bear witness to its rich past.