By George Boghossian
1954 / This rare vintage photograph captures a significant historical moment: the major expansion and construction of the Collège de la Salle in the Daher district of Cairo, early 1950s.
The college embarked on a large-scale construction project to modernize and expand its campus. This was partly driven by the transfer of the secondary and commercial sections from the Saint-Joseph de Khoronfish school to the Daher site in 1956.
The Architectural Legacy and expansion included the creation of modern academic buildings and a new entrance gate. Notable alumni and architects like Antoine Selim Nahas, Seddik Chihab El Din, and Dimitri Diacomidis were involved in designing parts of the mid-century campus, including the iconic DLS chapel.
The newly completed buildings were officially inaugurated on November 26, 1955. The ceremony was attended by prominent figures including the Egyptian Minister of Education, the French Ambassador to Egypt, and many distinguished guests. DLS Chapel was completed later and inaugurated in December 1958.
Today, as photo shows (shot taken almost from the same angle as the vintage one). Collège de la Salle Daher remains one of Cairo’s most prestigious French-language educational institutions.
