analysis of the role and function of cities’ symbol places in political changes (case study: altahrir sq. in egypt)

place is a part of geographical space and a base for establishment of social relations. each place is unique according to its specific properties, functions and history. meanwhile, some places find symbol identity due to their especial historical events and properties and this identity would be maintained in the minds and moved to the other generations. for example azadi tower in tehran and savior christian church in moscow are symbol for faithfulness and love to the paternal land and country. altahrir sq. is the biggest square in cairo, eastern side of nile river. due to dictator regime in the last 30 years, there was not space for political communities. despite this fact, this square has had two or three political function.  in 2011, incredible presence of people in this square made its name spread all over the world as a symbol for protest against dictatorship as wall street protests in united states replaced wall street name with american altahrir and protests in london changed trafalgar square to altahrir.  this is descriptive-analytic survey which follows the reasons for this square to become a symbol for protest against dictatorship and cruelty. findings indicated that some factors had crucial role including pivotal role in the past political changes, dominance of its political function to its social one, its easy access, injection of political function spirit from media.   keywords: urban symbol places, squares’ political function, egypt’s altahrir square, revolution.