Egypt, one of the most densely populated countries in the world, has a colonial history that stretches back centuries. Between 1860 and 1940, Cairo and other large cities witnessed a major construction boom that gave birth to extraordinary palaces and lavish buildings. Today many lie empty and neglected, rapidly succumbing to time, real estate frenzy, and an ongoing overpopulation crisis. In 2006 Xenia Nikolskaya began the process of documenting these extraordinary structures. She has gained exceptional access and has photographed at some thirty locations including Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Minya, Esna, and Port Said. |