Al Sharqiyah province goes all the way from Al Qahirah governorate to the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The capital city of the province is Zagazig situated to the northeast of Cairo. The city was founded in the 1820's as a camp to house workers on the barrages of the eastern branch of the Nile. It was a the birthplace of Colonel Ahmed Orabi who led the revolt against the British in 1882. There is a small museum called the Orabi Museum that contains some interesting archaeological exhibits. There are the ruins of the ancient capital of the 12th Nome Bubastis located 3 km southeast of town. Bubastis is home to the feast celebrating the cat-goddess Bastet. There are remains of the temples, an Old Kingdom chapel and catacombs where the sacred cats were buried all of the interest for history lovers. Another city of the province worth a visit is Bilbeis, an ancient city that lies on the eastern edge of the southern Delta It has always been a fortress city and was captured during the Islamic invasion of Egypt. During the crusades, it was the staging point for Muslim armies heading to Palestine. At the entrance to the city is the barrage built during the reign of Baybars and the Emir el-Geish Mosque that was originally built in 640 and renovated in 1593.