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Egypt Monuments
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Alexandria Egypt is the second largest city in Egypt, with a population of approximately 5 million. The city is located 200 km north of Cairo and stretches 20 km along the Mediterranean Sea in a narrow stripe of a few kilometers.
The harbour is the most important in Egypt, with, among other things, the export of crude oil and cotton. The presence of natural gas in the surrounding area, and the making of an oil pipeline from Suez, have made the city an important industrial centre. Besides a refinery and the petrochemical industry, the city houses iron and steel mills, car factories and a textile industry.
Nowadays the glorious past of the city of Alexandria Egypt is hard to spot. However a newly-opened library which covers all sciences will hopefully re-establish the old reputation of the city as the stronghold of wisdom.
The New Library of Alexandria
Because of a very pleasant climate, wonderful beaches, and hotels up to 2 million Egyptians choose to spend their summer in the city. If you are interested in ancient sights, Alexandria Egypt has them too. The city used to be the capital of the Ptolemy Pharaohs, and therefore holds a number of ancient Greek and Roman sites. Pompeii's Pillar So named in the middle ages, is a granite pillar, over 25 metres high, and built amidst the ruins of the Serapuim in 297 A.D., to honour the Emperor Diocletian.
The Roman Theatre Found at Kom Al-Dekka, near the Graeco-Roman Museum, this attraction is considered unique in Egypt, because it has 12 semi-circular marble tiers . . . and the theatre is in good condition.
The Roman Theatre
The Catacombs of Kom al-Shoqafa This is the largest Roman cemetery in Egypt. It is built in three levels and cut into the rock to a depth of 100 feet. Dating back to the beginning of the 2nd century A.D., it is a blend of Pharaonic and Roman art.
The Catacombs
The Tombs of Al-Anfushi These five Ptolemaic tombs from the third century B.C. were discovered in 1901 A.D.
The Tombs of Mustafa Kamel (Rushdy) These four subterranean rock-hewn tombs from the 2nd century B.C. are distinguished by their bright colours and relief inscriptions that tell of the daily activities and religious beliefs of the deceased.
Al-Shatby Necropolis Built along the lines of old Greek houses, it comprises a doorway, corridor and two chambers. It dates back to the 3rd century B.C., and lies north of Saint Mark's College.
__________________________________ Taba is located in Sinai a few kilometres from the Israeli border. The border can be crossed on foot, and there is direct bus service to Eilat, Israel. Taba currently boasts 5-star hotels, great restaurants and quaint, cozy beach cafes. And there is a brand new beach comunity, Taba Heights, nearing completion, which will offer a wide variety of fun and interesting activities.
It currently boasts 5-star hotels, great restaurants and quaint, cozy beach cafes. The border can be crossed on foot, and there is direct bus service to Eilat, Israel. And there is a brand new beach comunity, Taba Heights, nearing completion, which will offer a wide variety of fun and interesting activities.
On a historic note, not far from Taba Egypt, in the Gulf of Aqba, lies Pharaohs Island, one of the least known of the many major forts in Egypt. This fortress, built at the time of the Crusades, would no doubt attract much larger crowds were it located in more of a mainstream tourist destination, but those tourists (like you?) who make an effort to visit the fort will not only find it fascinating, but probably have the island mostly to themselves.
Also known as Coral Island, Pharaoh's Island is where Naldwin I, King of Jerusalem, built the fortress, from which one can see into four countries (see above). It is thought work on the fort began around 1116 AD. It was constructed for three main reasons:
The fortress was originally called Ile De Graye Castle. While still in the hands of the Crusaders, it was used to collect taxes on Arab merchants and occasionally to attack Arab shipping. Meanwhile it also served its main purpose, which was to protect pilgrims traveling between Jerusalem and St. Catherine's Monastery.
However, in 1170 the castle was captured by Salah ad-Din. There is confusion as to what happened thereafter; some say he abandoned the fortress only a short time later, in about 1183, while other scholars indicate that he expanded the fortress considerably, and possibly retained it until the 13th century. There is little doubt that he did, indeed, expand the fortress considerably, and that later the Ottomans and the Mamelukes further enlarged and enhanced it.
Now completely renovated, the fortress has many smaller rooms - some with arched doorways and others without. These include what were the sleeping quarters for the troops, bathhouses, and kitchens complete with huge ovens. There are towers in which carrier pigeons were housed, and circular towers for archers.
Interestingly, it is a fact that Lawrence of Arabia made an unauthorized and downright daring visit to the island during while on his famous Wilderness of Zin survey in June, 1914. Unfortunately we know little else of the history of this fascinating place, Taba Egypt.
Though, obviously, we do know that at least one important battle did take place there; that was when Salah ad-Din took the fortress from the Crusaders. Beyond that ______________________________________ South Sinai This pearl of the gulf actually consists of two villages, the Bedouin village of Assalah is the southern half, with the business and administrative center of Dahab to the north. There are also clusters of holiday villages that cater to affluent visitors. Assalah is the most developed part of Dahab, 2,5 miles up the coat from downtown. Historically, most visitors to Dahab have been backpackers traveling independently and staying in the hostels in this area. It is a sprawling conglomeration of palm trees, shops, campgrounds, hotels, bars and restaurants that lie along the shore of Ghazala Bay. Assalah has a distictly bohemian feel. Less laid back, but still relaxed, is the area just south along El-Qura Bay. Here, upscale luxury holiday villages and dive centers attract a very different clientele.
Dahab means 'gold' in Arabic. In Sinai it means golden sands, turquoise sea and off-beat cafe life. It is a focus of tourism development, with swaying palms, fine sand and wonderful snorkeling opportunities. Dahab has excellent hotel accommodations, but also affords less expensive housing in the village, or camping. About 5 miles from town is the famous Blue Hole, for diving. Towards the Israeli border is the Island of Coral, where the Crusaders built a fort. The remains can still be seen. Dahab was originally a Bedouin fishing village that today is world-renowned for its windsurfing, because of the reliable winds that provide outstanding flat water conditions. However, there are many reefs immediately adjacent to the waterfront hotels, so scuba diving and snorkeling are also very popular sports, especially considering the nearby Blue Hole.
One of the main attractions of Dahab are the unique on-the-ground restaurants, a mixture of Hippie and Bedouin styles developed over several decades. Large cushions and low tables are placed next to the sea, and decorated with colorful cloths. Most of these restaurants have fish stalls in front, where one can pick the fish of one's choice and have it prepared according to one's wishes. The menus are delicious, quite affordable, but a bit above the price level of the average Egyptian restaurant. After finishing one's food, onejust lean back in the cushions and rest for as long as you wish.
Sharm el-Sheikh is the leading tourist spot in the Sinai and on the Red Sea coast. Sharm is a year round resort, hot in the summer, but pleasant and warm in the winter, and it has many great international hotels. The beaches and diving opportunities at Sharm el-Sheik are some of the best in Egypt. If you had visited Sharm el-Sheikh anytime prior to about 1968, all you would have found was peaceful, little fishing village. Now it is one of Egypt's most popular beach resorts. In fact, Sharm is the number one tourist destination in all the Sinai.
Why? First, it can be enjoyed year-round. Yes, it can get a bit hot in the summer time, but it is also quite warm and pleasant for the rest of the year. Also, Sharm boasts an international airport that handles many international charters as well as private flights.
Next, you can find some of the most beautiful and amazing underwater scenery anywhere in the world. Beneath the crystal clear waters at the tip of the Sinai between Ras Mohammed Park and Tiran Island, swim an incredible variety of exotic fish, surrounded by some of the most gorgeous coral reefs anywhere.
Best of all, you can see much of this undersea beauty with merely a snorkel and a set of flippers. If you'd prefer to really immerse yourself in the scene, you will also have access to some of the most popular dive sites in the Red Sea. In fact, just to the south of Sharm is one of Egypt's most beautiful and oldest underwater protectorates, Ras Mohamed.
Sharm is a diver's paradise. You will find top-notch dive shops, centers, and charters, along with every other possible amenity, most operated by Europeans and offering excellent instruction.
Plus, Sharm el-Sheikh Egypt offers all the natural beauty of the Sinai itself. There are many towering mountains and deep valleys dotting its national park system. In the area you will also find more traditional tourist attractions such as a major shopping mall and St. Catherine's Monastery.
But there is much more to Sharm el-Sheikh Egypt than just the beaches, sea, and landscape. The area is very well developed; its refined facilities seem more European than Egyptian. Accommodations run the gamut from five-star hotels to more budget-oriented. In fact, Sharm is a very popular destination for budget-conscious Europeans, being quite an inexpensive alternative to other, more costly beach resorts found elsewhere.
It's small wonder the area is so popular. One can find just about every vacation activity a person might want. Virtually every water sport known to man can be found here. You can go horseback riding. You can take a spin in a four-wheeler. You can golf, bowl, and bungee jump. You can even go ice skating! And don't worry about your children. Sharm provides endless activities to keep them busily occupied and happy.
The evening is when Sharm really shines. With its wide variety of floorshows and other entertainment all along the boardwalk between the hotels and the sea, you will almost think you're in Las Vegas. During the course of an evening stroll, you will hear people speaking languages from all over the world. Sharm el-Sheikh Egypt consists of three main areas:
Sharm's downtown area is extremely popular. Though not that large an area, there are many restaurants and nightspots to be found, among them a Hard Rock Café and several of the more well-known fast food outlets. There are banks and other facilities as well as three hospitals. It is also here that you will find the local bazaar (suq). This is also where the main marina is located, with its diving and fishing boat jetties.
There is extravagant entertainment, as noted, and also numerous natural wonders, as well as the fascinating historic sites of the Sinai. Sharm is a purely a tourist town, with scant other raison d'ete. Sharm el-Sheikh Egypt really is one of those places where wonderful memories are made, and your dreams just might come true.
About 395 km. south of Suez you will find Hurghada. It has a very pleasant climate all year round and offers facilities for underwater fishing and snorkelling. It has camping sites such as Sea Land and Caravan about 40 km from town.
In Hurghada also, lies one of the world's biggest aquariums or aqua-culture museums, comprised of rare pieces in all phases of evolution. Hurghada is extremely popular among tourists and you will find hotels in all price ranges. Whatever your preference in aquatic activities, you will find it in Hurghada:
About 135 km south of Qusayr, Marsa Alam has several rest houses, such as the Egyptian Shooting Club and is rich with marine life and therefore very suitable for diving and fishing. It is connected to Edfu by a paved desert road, 280 km long. Marsa Alam is quickly turning into much more than the quaint fishing village many modern travel guides make it out to be. Set on Egypt's Red Sea Coast 132 km (82 mi) from Al-Queseir, it is home to a brand new international airport, plus quite a few additional tourism projects that are in the works. All this, combined with the several new hotels you will find there, clearly makes Marsa Alam Egypt much more than just another fishing village.
During the Greek period, Ptolemy II built a road all the way from Edfu, to the Red Sea. It ran some 230 km (142 mi) before finally intersecting the Red Sea coast road. Along the way it passed through what is now historic landscape where much of early Egypt's gold was mined. It's still in use today.
Gold is still being mined in the Marsa Alam Egypt area. In fact the two main communities in the region probably owe their existance to man's lust for gold. Just off the road lies Wadi Barmiya, Several gold mining operations are known. Just off this road is an area called Wadi Barmiya, and approximately 30 kilometers further into the mountains is Wadi Miya, home to a temple built by Seti I.
In addition, a wealth of rock inscriptions from as early as the pre-dynastic period may also be found along this route near Marsa Alam Egypt. The smooth rock faces were an ideal canvas for ancient graffiti, which dates from the earliest times right up until the present. This ancient graffiti depicts animals, including giraffes and cattle, and also includes hunting scenes, such as an ostrich hunt with dogs. Unfortunately, with the expansion of this road, many if not all of these inscriptions will be lost soon.
While this road in ancient times was used for the gold mining trade, archaeologists believe its main use was as a trade route between the Nile Valley and the Red Sea, where an important ancient port was located.
Today, Marsa Alam Egypt remains a fairly small tourist town, but there is considerable development underway. The airport is actually part of a larger project designed to create a state-of-the-art resort area in Port Ghaleb, including both a 1,000-berth marina and port, with a dockside harbor, yacht club, and spa, along with a highly animated town center and a corniche around the marina area.
On the corniche will be shops, galleries, boutiques, restaurants and bistros, nightclubs, discos, and a casino. In addition, there will be a conference center and festival hall, along with a combined desert and links golf course.
The private marina will not only be the largest in the Middle East but also an international sea-gateway for yachts to visit Egypt.
Only a short time ago, it would seem that most of the accommodations here were tent camps, but even now, many new, fine hotels have been built. However, for the moment, the primary reason to visit the mainland Red Sea community is for the snorkeling and diving.
This whole coastline is one huge reef of exceptional quality with new dive sites being discovered all the time. Dive sites such as Elphinstone (famous for its Hammerheads!) and Dolphin Reef, previously only accessible to southern Red Sea liveaboards, can now be dived by day boats from Marsa Alam Egypt.
The primary dive sites in the Marsa Alam Egypt area include: Elphinstone Reef With sheer walls plunging down to over 70 meters, Elphinstone Reef is the mythic dive site of the south. The walls plunge deep into the blue-richly decorated with soft, bright pink, red, white, and brown corals, sponges, gorgonia, and fans. Pelargic, and Wrasse may also be seen. The northern plateau is home to schooling Hammerheads with frequent sightings of oceanic gray, White-tip Sharks, along with Barracuda, numerous big Jacks and even Tuna.
Shaab Marsa Alam Egypt A large reef in front of the last southern civilian town on the Egyptian coastline. Corals gardens have formed near huge coral blocks, "porites," and there are shoals of Banners, Goatfish, Snappers and Jacks.
Shaab Samadai A horseshoe shaped reef, which creates a shallow turquoise water lagoon where a large herd of Spinner Dolphins live permanently. Others often show up around noon for a rest and to teach their babies how to hunt. Several dives are found on its outer walls. The western tip provides a large group of pinnacles rising to the surface from a carpet of sea grass, populated by schools of reef fish.
Daedalus Reef A huge round reef with a lighthouse more than 40 miles away from the coast, features an excellent opportunity for spotting big pelargics all around its steep walls with an extreme variety of fish and coral. Strong currents are possible.
Shaab Sharm (Gota Sharm) A big reef with big walls, Hammerhead and Grey Reef Sharks in summer, Malabar Grouper, Barracudas, and schooling reef fish the rest of the year. Also present are currents, soft corals, and giant fans.
Abu Galawa On "Fury Shoal" group, this reef has a good hard coral garden on the north side, and a wreck of an old tugboat fully covered with corals leaning on a pinnacle on the south side. Shaab Mansour (Shaab Maksur) Good dives on both north and south plateaus, with strong currents, which favor the growth of all types of coral, including black, soft, and fans. Sharks, Napoleon, and Tuna thrive here. Sataya (Dolphin Reef) Also named "Dolphin Reef," this is a huge barrier reef that offers a sheltered inner lagoon and shear walls on the outside-schooling Hammerhead, large Tuna, and Jacks. Zabargat (Zabargad) Imagine an enormous mountain coming out of the water, surrounded by a lagoon and circling reef including a couple of wrecks and some decent diving with a great variety of both corals and reef fish. Most likely, ancient Egyptians mined this island for precious stones.
Rocky Island As a tiny rock emerging a few feet out of the water, it offers one of the most incredible underwater scenarios of the whole Red Sea. Steep walls falling into the deep blue, currents, soft corals, a great abundance of Pelargics, and all kinds of fish. Red Sea Islands There are 24 islands in the Red sea, all of which are rich with fauna and flora. The most important of which are:
Cairo, the capital of Egypt, is located at the Nile River 15 km south of the area where the river divides into the two streams of Damietta and Rosetta and the beginning of the Nile delta. With an estimated population of 15-17 million (1994) it is one of the largest cities in the world. It is the cultural, political, administrative, industrial and tourist centre of not only Egypt but all the Middle East.
Welcome to the vivid capital of Egypt The oldest part of the Cairo, Egypt is situated on the flat country between the Nile River and the Muqattam mountain on the east bank.
From here the city has spread approximately 35 kilometres north and southbound along the Nile. At the western bank it has spread down to the Giza Pyramids.
The Nile islands of Zamalek and Roda are a completely integrated part of the city. Along the Nile you will find modern skyscrapers and luxury hotels while the old city with its narrow streets, the and the religious university al-Azhar is to be found only a few kilometres away.
Ministry of foreign affairs and Egyptian TV building
The climate in the Cairo Egypt is warm, dry and pleasant compared to other Middle Eastern cities. This has made the city a popular refuge for Persian Gulf Arabs during the summer. Tourist Attractions in CairoIn and around the city the attractions are plenty: Khan el-Khalili Bazaar Khan el-Khalili is one of the largest bazaars in the Middle East.
The Pyramids of Giza The famous Great Pyramids of Giza are located just outside of Cairo. Memphis and Saqqara Memphis was the oldest Egyptian capital and Saqqara the oldest cemetery.
Christian Monuments Because of the Copts there are many beautyful Christian monuments in Cairo. Islamic Monuments There are more 600 Islamic mosques and monuments in Cairo. Modern Attractions As a modern metropole Cairo has some spectacular modern attractions, too.
Cheops Pyramid, Giza Plateau - Cairo
Chephren Pyramid with Queens' Pyramids, Giza Plateau - Cairo
Cheops Pyramid, Giza Plateau - Cairo
Step Pyramid - Saqqara
Bent Pyramid - Dashur
Maidum Pyramid - Maidum
Luxor Egypt is located in upper Egypt 675 km south of Cairo on the right bank of the Nile river. Luxor includes the village of Karnak (Karnak Temple) to the northeast and the ancient monuments and the burial ground, Valley of The Kings, on the other side of the Nile and, of course, the Luxor Temple. Ancient Egypt Temples KARNAK
The Karnak Temple is located on the east side of the Nile, just north of the Temple of Luxor. The temple of Karnak was known as Ipet-isut (most select of places) by the ancient Egyptians. It is a city of temples built over 2000 years and dedicated to the Theben triad of Amun, Mut and Khonsu.
Massive Column - Karnak Temple Ancient Egypt Temples Karnak
This derelict place is still capable of overshadowing many of the wonders of the modern world, and in its day must have been awe inspiring.
For the largely uneducated ancient Egyptian population this could only have been the place of the gods. It is the mother of all religious buildings, the largest ever made, and a place of pilgrimage for nearly 4,000 years. Although, today's pilgrims are mainly tourists.
It covers about 200 acres - 1.5km by 0.8km. The area of the sacred enclosure of Amun Massive Column - Karnak Temple Ancient Egypt Temples Karnak
This derelict place is still capable of overshadowing many of the wonders of the modern world, and in its day must have been awe inspiring.
For the largely uneducated ancient Egyptian population this could only have been the place of the gods. It is the mother of all religious buildings, the largest ever made, and a place of pilgrimage for nearly 4,000 years. Although, today's pilgrims are mainly tourists.
It covers about 200 acres - 1.5km by 0.8km. The area of the sacred enclosure of Amun alone is 61 acres, and would hold ten average-sized European cathedrals. The Hypostyle hall, at 54,000 square feet, and with its 134 columns (the tallest of the 134 columns reaches a height of 23 meters) is still the largest room of any religious building in the world. In this enormous forest of columns you get a genuine feeling of the wealth of the New Kingdom and of the importance of Amun as the State-God.
Hypostyle Hall Ancient Egypt Temples Karnak
Karnak is the home of the god Amun who was an insignificant local god until the 12th dynasty when Thebes became the capital of Egypt. He was represented in his original state as a goose and later as a ram, at the height of his power he was shown as a human with a head dress of feathers - all that remained of the goose.
In ancient times wars were not fought between countries but were considered as contests between gods. One deity subduing and replacing another, the victorious god and its people growing in strength. This is how Amun, with the help of Thutmose III and various other New Kingdom kings, rose to become the first supreme god of the known world and was hailed as God of gods.
Little is known of him, unlike most other gods he has no legends or miracles to impress his worshippers and seems to be closer to an abstract idea of a godhead. His followers came from all the strata of society and he was known to some as 'Vizier of the poor.'
All ancient Egyptian temples had a sacred lake, Karnak's is the largest. It was used during festivals when images of the gods would sail across it on golden barges.
Sacred Lake, Karnak Ancient Egypt Temples Karnak
The water supply to the lake, which symbolized the primeval ocean Nun, comes directly from the Nile. Next to the lake is a small café where you can pit stop in the shade and fantasize about the temple in its golden ages.
Ancient Egypt Temples LUXOR The Luxor Temple has many fascinating aspects and features that continue to attract multitudes of people:
The Luxor Temple The temple of Luxor, some 260 m (850 ft) long today, was built by Amenophis III on the foundations of a previous religious structure, dating from the time of Queen Hatshepsut.
The Colonnades One of the glories of the ancient Egyptian temple of Luxor is a majestic colonnade dating to the reign of Amenophis III, with 14 columns with papyrus-shaped capitals standing 18 m (60 ft) tall, and almost 10 m (33 ft) in circumference.
The Colonnade Ancient Egypt Temples Luxor
The colonnade is enclosed on both sides by a masonry curtain wall, with reliefs depicting various phases of the Festival of Opet, completed and decorated during the reigns of Tutankhamun and Horemheb.
A magnificent courtyard follows; it is lined with a double row of columns, and bordered to the south by the hypostyle hall, which itself contains 32 gigantic columns.
From here, the visitor passes on to the inner section of the attraction where there is a series of four antechambers and ancillary rooms, as well as the Sanctuary of the Sacred Barque, situated in the innermost room. The chapel was rebuilt by Alexander the Great. The ceremonies that took place in the temple of Luxor were of great importance, and their religious symbolism complex. During the Festival of Opet, the feast of the royal jubilee, the divine rebirth of the pharaoh, son of Amun, was celebrated, reaffirming in this way his power.
The ancient Egyptian temple of Luxor also served as a shrine for the worship of the divine and immortal portion of the pharaoh, the royal "ka", symbol of the legitimacy of the pharaoh's power, which was universal and not restricted to any individual pharaoh.
In terms of purity of structural design and the elegance of its columns, the temple is one of the most remarkable architectural achievements of the New Kingdom. The Courtyard of Ramsees II The courtyard of Ramses II, is surrounded by a peristyle of 74 papyrus columns arranged in a double row and adorned with 16 statues of the pharaoh, and incorporates a three-part chapel on the northern side, also dedicated to the Theban triad and dating to Hatshepsut's reign.
Ramses II Ancient Egypt Temples Luxor
The Obelisks Also dating to the reign of Ramsees II are two large obelisks that once stood before the first pylon (a word derived from the Greek meaning 'gateway') and which were given to France by the ruler of Egypt, Mohammad Ali, in 1819.
Obelisk Ancient Egypt Temples Luxor
The western obelisk, more than 21 m (70 ft) tall and weighing 210 tons, was removed by the French in 1836 and erected in Paris in the Place de la Concorde. All claims to ownership over the second obelisk, which remained in its position in Egypt, were renounced by France in 1980. The Abu El Haggag Mosque On the eastern side of the courtyard a Byzantine church was built in the sixth century AD, and on top of that, during the reign of the Ayyubid sultans (thirteenth century AD), the mosque of Abu El-Haggag was built. This Egyptian tourist attraction is still in use today as a place of prayer.
The Mosque of Abu El-Haggag
The Mummification Museum This small and fairly new attraction illustrates the fine art of embalming and mummification with wall pictures and archaeological artefacts.
Valley of the Kings, West Bank in Luxor The desert valley on the west bank of Thebes is best known as Valley of the Kings, Egypt. The location was the political and religious capital of the New Kingdom, and was first used as a royal necropolis by Thutmosis I, although it was his predecessor, Amenhotep I, who was considered the patron-god of the valley by the actual builders of the tombs.
The Pyramid Shaped Mountain, Valley of the Kings Egypt
The last known king to have built a tomb in the Valley was Ramsees XI, the last king of the New Kingdom, although it is doubtful that he ever used that tomb. Despite its modern name, the majority of its tombs were not built for members of the royal family and entourage.
The valley of the Kings Egypt has two main branches: the East Valley, where most of the royal tombs are situated, and the West Valley, which contains only the tombs of Amenhotep III and Ay, and some pits.
The tombs of most of the New Kingdom kings have been discovered over the years; some were already open to public during the Greek-Roman era, others have only recently been unearthed. All of the tombs have fallen victim to one or several visits by tomb robbers, even the famous tomb of Tutankhamun that was discovered almost intact in 1922 by Howard Carter.
In an effort to save the royal mummies of these attractions from destruction, and to salvage the remaining treasures of the royal tombs, the priests of the end of the 20th and the 21st Dynasty opened the tombs, collected the mummies and buried them in two or more "caches".
Tomb - Valley of the Kings Egypt
The first "cache" was a rock tomb high up in the mountains of Deir el-Bahri that was probably intended as the family tomb of the 21st Dynasty king-priests. The second "cache" was the tomb of 18th Dynasty king Amenhotep II.
Not every royal mummy of the New Kingdom has been found, so there is room for the hypothesis that there may have been a third "cache" which has not yet been identified as such or which has not yet been discovered.
The only royal mummies to have been found in their own tombs were those of Amenhotep II, who was re-buried in his own tomb by the 21st Dynasty priests, and Tutankhamun, whose tomb lay undisturbed from the middle of the 20th Dynasty on.
Hathor Nursing Hatshepsut, Deir el-Bahri near Luxor
Hatshepsut's Temple, Deir El Bahri - Valley of the Kings
King's Head, Ramesseum - Valley of the Kings
Inner Court, Ramsees III - Medinet Habu
The West Bank Luxor Egypt is highly influenced by tourism. You will find modern hotels and large bazaar areas and a growing stream of Nile cruise boats sails between Luxor and Aswan. A little south of the city there is a bridge crossing the river. Despite of the influence of tourism Luxor is still a minor city with old houses and buildings.
colossi of memnon luxor west bank The city has next to no industry, but its surroundings illustrate traditional farming methods, and on its small streets there are hundreds of workshops manufacturing souvenirs. There is a railroad to Cairo and Aswan. Furthermore, Luxor has a harbour and a ferry line to cross the Nile.
Aswan is the southern-most city in Egypt, located 800 km south of Cairo at the first of six cataracts on the Nile. The city is an old commercial town and in antiquity it was known under the name of Syene.
Since construction of the Aswan Dam the city has become an important industrial centre with steel, aluminium and chemical industries based on the electrical power drawn from the turbines of the Dam.
Nubian Crossing the Nile
During the winter season the city is a junction for tourist voyages on the Nile and the starting point for tours to the Abu Simpel temple. The climate is warm and dry all year through. During winter the daily temperatures reaches 23-30 C, during summer they easily reach 28-50 C. As a vacation destination, Aswan has been a favourite winter resort since the beginning of the nineteenth century, and it is still a perfect place to get away from it all.
The Monastery of St. Simeon Ride a camel or climb to the ruins of the Coptic Monastery of St. Simeon, originally founded in the 7th century AD.
Monastery of Saint Simeon
Rebuilt in the 10th century and eventually destroyed by Salah al-Din in 1173, the monastery was a base for missionary monks who converted the Nubians to Christianity. Frescoes of the Apostles still remain in the roofless Basilica.
The Unfinished Obelisk Much of the red granite used for ancient temples and colossi came from quarries in the Aswan area.
The Unfinished Obelisk
The Unfinished Obelisk still lies where a crack was discovered as it was being hewn from the rock. Possibly intended as a companion to the Lateran obelisk, originally at the Karnak Temple, now in Rome, it would have measured 120 ft and weighed over 1150 tons when complete. The site has recently been renovated and equipped with tourist facilities.
Nearby is the Fatimide cemetery, hundreds of mud-brick tombs dating back to the 9th Century AD.
The Tombs of The Nobles The northern hills of the west bank are filled with rock-hewn tombs of princes from the Old Kingdom to the Roman period. At night they are illuminated with hidden spotlights and can be clearly seen from Aswan.
Inside, the tombs are decorated with vivid wall paintings showing scenes of everyday life, hieroglyphic biographies and inscriptions telling of the noblemen's journeys into Africa. Elephantine Island The ancient stronghold of Elephantine lsland separates the Nile into two channels opposite Aswan. Walk through Nubian villages to the small museum, set in shady gardens, nearby is the ruins of Abu, settled by ancient Egyptians who believed it to be near the source of the Nile.
The remains of the many temples that were built here can still be seen, including the Temple of Khnum, originally erected during the Old Kingdom, a Graeco-Roman Necropolis and the Temple of Satet, built by Queen Hatshepsut.
Temple of Khnum
Kalabsha Temple Kalabsha Temple was moved to its present location in 1970, together with other attractions from Nubia.
Reachable by taxi or by boat, depending on the water level, the sandstone edifice was built by the Roman Emperor Octavius Augustus and dedicated to the fertilitiy god Mandulis. The Kiosk of Qertassi, with its two Hathor-headed columns, was moved at the same time and now stands near the water commanding fine views over Lake Nasser.
Nearby, dug into the hillside, is another of Ramses II's Nubian monuments to military might; Beit al-Wali celebrates his victories over the Nubian, Ethiopians, Asiatics and Libyans and brightly-coloured scenes inside the temple show Ramsees making offerings to the gods.
Philae Temple Philae Temple was dismantled and reassembled (on Agilika lsland about 500m. from its original home on Philae Island) in the wake of the High Dam.
Philae Temple dedicated to Isis
Grand Portico of the Temple of Philae
The temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis, is in a beautiful setting which has been landscaped to match its original site. Its various shrines and sanctuaries, which include a temple of Hathor, a Birth House and two pylons, celebrate all the deities involved in the Isis and Osiris myth. At night, one should visit the Sound and Light Show, a magical experience as floodlit buildings are silhouetted against the volcanic rocks and water surrounding them.
Aswan also have modern attractions for the interested traveler to explore. Aswan Cultural Centre One of Aswan's attractions is it's Cultural Centre. Every night Nubian dancers and musicians give performance just off the corniche. Folklore troupes recreate from village life and perform the famous Nubian mock stick-fight dances. The Aga Khan Mausoleum Take a felucca to the Aga Khan Mausoleum, atop a hill at the southern end of the west bank.
The Aga Khan Mausoleum
The Aga Khan used to spend every winter in Aswan and was buried here in this magnificent mausoleum, modelled on the Fatimid tombs in Cairo.
Kitchener Island The Island was given to General-Consul Horatio Kitchener, the leader of the Egyptian army in the 1890s. The botanically-interested Consul brought vegetation from India, Malaysia and other eastern countries to plant on the Island.
Felucca in Aswan
It's a lovely place to spend a quiet afternoon. The only means of transportation is on a felukka or a motor boat.
The High Dam The world-famous High Dam was an engineering miracle when it was built in the 1960s. Today it provides irrigation and electricity for the whole of Egypt and, together with the old Aswan Dam, 6 km downriver, it is a wonderful view for visitors. |
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