Places to
visit in Egypt
Abu Simbel Temple:
Situated at Abu Simbel are two remarkably beautiful temples constructed by the famous pharaoh, Ramesses II. The first and largest was dedicated to the Sun God, Ra Harakhte, while the King in honor of his favorite wife, Nefertari, built the smaller one. These temples are the largest and most spectacular of the many monuments erected by Ramesses II in Nubia. Carved from the living rock, the facade of the main temple is 33 meters high and 35 meters wide and is guarded by frieze of baboons expressing their joy at the rising of the sun, whilst over the main gate is carved the King’s coronation name, Usermara. Between the legs of the four statues are representations of the King’s family, his mother, Muttuy, his wife, and some of his sons and daughters. In front of the temple there are several memorial stelae, including one commemorating the marriage of one of Ramesses, daughters to the Hittite King, Hattusilus II.
Pompey’s Pillar:
This huge monolith of rose
granite is situated among the remains of the Serapeum on the Bab Sidrah hill.
It is 26 meters high. It was dedicated to the Roman Emperor Diocletian. The
Arabs call it the Pillar of the Ship’s mast, referring to the fact that the
columns of the Serapeum look like the masts of a fleet of ships.
The Catacombs of Kom al
Shuqafa:
This is the most extensive
Roman communal burial place in Alexandria. It consists of an entrance with a
spiral staircase leading to the tombs themselves arranged on three different
levels. The tomb was excavated in 1892. It contains some remarkable reliefs
that blend the Egyptian and Hellenistic styles of art.
The Roman Theatre:
This is the only example of
its type in Egypt. Only twelve tiers of seats survive in hemispherical form
around the stage. It is constructed of marble. It was restored sometime between
the 2nd and 4th centuries AD.
The Baths of Kom al Dikka:
This is a typical example of a
Roman bath house, consisting of three rooms, one hot, one cold, and one cool.
The Anfushi Cemetery:
This group of tombs dates back
to the late Ptolemaic period and is distinguished for its frescoes, showing the
influence of Egyptian cults on the religious practices of the Graeco-Roman
world.
The Castle of Qaitbay:
The Sultan al Ashraf Qaitbay
constructed this in 1480 to protect Alexandria from Ottoman attack. It was
refortified by Muhammad Ali. Its four corners are oriented to the points of the
compass. The castle was constructed on the site of the ancient pharaohs, or
lighthouse, that was originally one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
The Principle Historic Sites
The Necropolis of Assiut:
This is situated in the
western hills and the tombs are hewn out of the rock face. The most notable
are: the tomb of Teti Ayib; the tomb of Kheti I; and the tomb of the prince Hab
Jifa, who was administrator of Assiut and prince of Abyssina during the reign
of Senusert.
Deir Al Muharraq – The
Burnt Monastery:
In the western hills and
resembling a group of forts and strongholds, there is within the complex, which
has an area of 18 acres, and unforgettable church built in the year 1600.
The archaological site of
Al Badari:
45 km from Assiut, the site
has a number of 16th dynasty tombs.
The tombs of Shata: 7
km from Assiut, there are a large number of tombs of the princess of Shata
located at the billage of Deir Rifa. There are also seven tombs dating back to
the middle and new kingdoms.
Deir Al Adhraa: This
monastery is located 10 km from Assiut and includes a church dedicated to the
Virgin Mary.
Important
Archaeological Sites
Philae:
This site contains
several temples dating from the Ptolemaic and the Roman period. The original
island is situated to the south of the Aswan Dam. The temple of Philae was
rescued by UNESCO from flooding caused by the building of the High Dam, and
moved north to the island of Agilka. The Portico of Nectanebo and is dedicated
to Isis. The western colonnades follow the shore of the island and consist of
31 coloums. The eastern colonnade joins the temple of Isis constructed by
Ptolmey IV. Amond the remains on the island of Philae is the Gateway of Hadrian
and a Nilometer.
The Rock Temple of
Beit al Wali:
This is located
near the High Dam and is a rock cut temple decorated with reliefs dating from
the reigns of Rameses II.
The Kalabsha
Temple:
Dates to the reign
of the Emperor Augustus and is one of the biggest sandstone temples in Nubis,
originally dedicated to the god Mandaulis. This temple was mobbed from its
original location on the banks of the Nile to its current situation near the
High Dam.
The Temple of Edfu:
This dates to the
Ptolemaic period and is the largest and most complete of the different temples
situated along the banks of the Nile. It is located in the city of Edfu. It was
a center of the cult of Horus.
The Temple of Kom
Ombo:
The double temple
dates to the Prolemaic period and its inscriptions contain references to the
Ptolemies and to the Roman Emperors, Domitian, Trajan, and Caracalla.
The Monuments of
Nubia:
Ancient Nubia is
one of the richest areas of Egypt in terms of ancient monuments. Nubia contains
16 temples, amongst the most important of which is the Great Temple of Abu
Simbel, 280 kilometres south of Aswan. This temple was carved from the rock in
the reign of Rameses II on a rocky hill overlooking the Nile. Four statues of
the Pharoah carved from the living rock guard the temple. Nearby is the Lesser
Temple of Abu Simbel, dedicated by Rameses II to the goddess Hathor, and also
carved from the rock in honor of his wife Nefertari.
The Monastery of
St. Simeon:
Situated on a hill,
this well preserved, ancient mudbrick structure overlooks the desert on all
sides.
Other Attractions
Kitchener
Island:
This is
situated in the middle of the Nile and contains more than eight hundred
specimen palms, tamarisk and other rare botanical specimens. It covers an area
of about 18 acres.
The Mausoleum of
the Aga Khan:
This is situated on
an eminence over looking the western bank of Nile. It is a sumptuous tombbuilt
in the Fatimid style as the burial place of the third Aga Khan, leader of the
Ismaili sect of Islam.
The Pyramids of Cheops (Khufu):
The Great Pyramid is situated in Giza and was one of the Seven Wonders on the World. Cheops, the second Pharaoh of the IVth Dynasty, built it. It once rose to a height of 146 meters. Owing to natural wear and tear, however, its present height is only 137 meters.
The Pyramid of Chephren (Kafra):
This pyramid was built by
Chephren the son of Cheops, the fourth Pharaoh of the IVth Dynasty. It occupies
a site to the south west of the Great Pyramid and is 136 meters high. It covers
an area of 215 square meters. At the base of the pyramid are situated the
remains of his mortuary temple.
The Pyramid of Chephren (Menkaura):
This is the smallest of three
pyramids, with a height of only 26 meters. It stands to the south west of the
second pyramid. The length of its base is 107 meters and it covers only a
quarter of the area of the Great Pyramid.
The Sphinx:
The Sphinx is one of the most
famous and the greatest of the monument of ancient Egypt. It stands as a
guardian of the ancient necropolis.
The Solar Barque:
A number of wooden boats have
been discovered in chambers hollowed out of the rock, intended to enable the
king to ride across the horizon with the Sun God. The most famous of these
boats is the funerary barque of Cheops, which was discovered to the south of
the Great Pyramid and is now housed in a special museum at the site.
Saqqara:
Saqqara is some 25 kilometres
from Cairo, and was the necropolis of the city of Memphis, Egypt’s capital
during the Old Kingdom. Saqqara contains the following important monuments.
The Pyramid of Zozer, or
the Step Pyramid:
Erected by Zozer’s chief of
Works, Imhotep, at the beginning of the 28th Century B.C., the Step
Pyramid is the oldest stone building in the world. It has six steps, each one
being 60 meters high.
The Pyramid of Unas:
Constructed by Unas, the last
Kind of the Vth Dynasty as his final resting place; this pyramid is situated
some 200 meters to the south of the Step Pyramid. On its stonewalls are
engraved a series of texts telling of the progress of the soul through the
stages of the next life.
Tombs of the Nobles:
At Saqqara are the tombs of
many Old Kingdom Courtiers and Nobles. Amond the most famous are the Mastaba of
Ti, to the north west of the Step Pyramid and the Mastaba of Ptahhotep to west
of the Step Pyramid. In the same area you can see the Serapeum, the burial
place of the Apis Bulls.
The Monuments of Abu Sir:
Some five kilometers to the
north of Saqqara are four pyramids belonging to Kings of the Vth Dynasty, and a
Sun Temple.
Dashur:
Located about 10 Kilometres to
the south of Saqqara, are the pyramids of Dashur, including the “Bent Pyramid”
of Snofru and others belonging to the Middle Kingdom Pharaohs, Senusert III,
and Amenemhat II and III.
Abu Sarga:
Built in the fourth century
A.D. It is also of basilical form and is dedicated to SS. Sergius and Bacchus.
It has three altars and twelve columns decorated with portraits of the Twelve
Disciples.
The Church of the Virgin:
Was built in the eighth
century A.D. and is in the form of a basilica. It is also known as the “Church
of the Pot of Basil” alluding to the notion that the Virgin Mary was the pot in
which the basil – her son Jesus Christ – was planted. It has fine altar screen
decorated with wood inlaid with ivory.
The Church of St. George
(Mar Girgis):
Situated in Masr al Qadima,
was completed in the thirteenth century A.D. It is a basilical church and
contains a hall which is an architectural masterpiece.
The Church of St. Barbara:
Built as a basilica, at the
beginning of the Islamic period, it lies to the east of the fortress of
Babylon. St. Barbara was a Christian girl who renounced the faith of her pagan
family, whereupon she was denounced to the roman Governor and martyred.
The Monastery of Abu
Seifein:
This foundation is situated near the Mosque of Amr outside the fortress of Babylon. It contains three churches, the largest of which is the Church of Anba Shenouda (fifth century A.D.) There is also the Church of Abu Seifein and the Church of the Virgin of Damashir, named after a village where she is said to have appeared in the governorate of Minya.
Islamic Cairo
Al Azhar:
Founded by the Fatimid
conqueror, Gawhar, in 970, Al Azhar is the earliest Fatimid building. Its name,
Al Azhar, is derived from the name of Fatma Al Zahra, daughter of the Prophet
Muhammad. Among its most notable architectural features are the Minarets of
Qaitbay and Sultan al Ghouri.
The Mosque of Amr Ibn al
As:
Founded by Amr Ibn al As in
642.
The Mosque of Ibn Tulun:
This was the third mosque to
be built in Cairo and is one of the largest. Ahmad Ibn Tulun started building
his mosque in 876 and it was completed in 879. It is a rectangular building,
with sides of 162 meters in length. The mosque was revolutionary in style for
the period. The original minaret collapsed, but was restored by the Mamluke
Sultan Lajin al Mansouri. It is remarkable for its massive, spiral form. The
mimber is one of the finest pieces of Islamic art in existence. The mosque is situated
near the Sayyida Zeinab quarter.
The Mosque of Sultan
Hassan:
Situated in Salah al Din
Square, this mosque has been described as one of the most wonderful building in
Cairo, owing to its harmonious unity and its perfection. Construction of the
mosque began under Sultan Hassan in 1356 and the building covers 7906 square
meters. The Mihrab is decorated with coloured marble inlay. The mosque also
contains some magnificent stucco work.
The Mosque of Qalaoun:
Built in 1318, the mosque was
destroyed during the reign of Muhammad Ali, who ruled Egypt from 1805 to 1848.
The building of the mosque lasted until his death, when he was buried in it,
was completed by his son Abbas. The building has four semi domes around one
lofty main dome. On the western wall is a clock tower, which was given as a
present to Muhammad Ali by the French Emperor, Louis Philippe, in 1845.
The Mosque of al Rifai:
This mosque, founded by
Chevkiar Hanim, the mother of Khedive Ismail, is situated in the Citadel
quarter, opposite the mosque of sultan Hassan. It is divided into three main
sections, the biggest of which contains a large mihrab, decorated with colored
marble inlays. It contains the tomb of several members of the Egyptian Royal
Family and that of the Shah of Iran.
The Mosque of al Hakim
bi’Amr Allah:
The second Fatimid Caliph to
rule in Egypt, Aziz bi’Amr Allah, commenced this building in 990. It was not,
however, completed until the reign of his successor, al Hakim bi’Amr Allah. It
lies on al Muiz li Din Allah Street. The entrance portal and the minarets are
worthy of notice.
The Mosque of Hussein:
The Fatimid Caliph, al Zaher
bi’Amr Allah, founded this mosque in 1153, to contain the head of The Prophet
Muhammad’s grandson, Hussein. The Khedive Ismail ordered the mosque to be
rebuilt, bringing marble columns from Constantinople. He also provided a mimber
decorated with gold leaf. The walls of the mosque are covered with coloured
marbles and the ceilings are decorated with the most precise gold leaf designs.
The mosque has 30 large windows made of gilt brass.
The Mosque of the Imam
Shafei:
Constructed by Salah al Din al
Ayyubi, the building is a large dome covering the tomb of the renowned Islamic
jurist, al Shafei, and various members of the Ayyubid house. The dome was restored
and covered with lead sheeting in the time of Ali Bey the Great, in 1772. The
tomb has doors covered with solid silver and rich stucco decoration.
Modern Cairo
The Cairo Tower:
Erected in 1961, on the West
Bank of the Nile, It is 187 meters high. It is the tallest concrete tower in
the world. It affords the visitor a chance to see the whole Cairo and has a
revolving restaurant.
The Pharaonic Village:
This covers 32 acres, and is
located on Jacob’s Island in Giza. This affords the visitor the chance to have
an overall view of all activities practiced by the Ancient Egyptians, by means
of tableaux vivants. The visit is made by boat down the waterways surrounding
the island.
The Papyrus Research
Institute:
Located in an idyllic spot on
the Nile, in a wonderful garden, it has a display of scenes and paintings on
papyrus, the paper of ancient Egyptians.
Harraniyya:
Located four kilometers from
the Pyramids Road, on the way to Saqqara, it contains a famous school teaching children
manual carpet weaving techniques.
Kerdassa:
Is well known for handmade
textiles and clothes.
Ancient Egyptian
Sites in Fayoum
The Pyramid of Senusert:
Built by Senusert II of the XIIth Dynasty, it is also known as the Pyramid of Lahun, after the modern name of the area in which it is situated.
Keman Faris:
This is an ancient city built
during the Vth Dynasty. It contains the cult center of the crocodile god,
Sobek. During the Hellenistic Period, the name was changed to Crocodilopolis,
and later to Arsinoe during the Ptolemaic period.
The Obelisk of Senusert:
This was built by the XIIth
dynasty pharaoh, Senusert I. It is 30 metres high and is made of granite. It is
situated at the entrance of Fayoum city.
The Temple at Kom Madinat
Madi:
This was constructed during
the XIIth Dynasty, during the reigns of Amenemhat III and Iv. During the Roman
period, new additions in the form of a series of black basalt statues were made
to the shrine.
Karanis:
This archaeological site contains a number of monuments, dating from the Roman, Coptic, and early Islamic eras. The city also contains a Roman bath house and two temples dedicated to the god, Sobek. A museum has been recently built to house the large number of artifacts discovered on the site.
Dimia al Sibbia:
Situated on the northern shore of Lake Qarun are the ruins of the ancient city of Soknopeios, which are extremely well preserved.
The Temple of Qasr al Sagha:
This is a small temple constructed of pink sandstone and is situated on the heights overlooking Lake Qarun from the north.
The Temple of Qasr Qarun:
This well preserved temple is dated to the Roman period. There is a winged sun dish decorating the entrance portal. It is remarkable for its absence of inscriptions.
The Monastery of Deir al Azab:
This is an ancient monastery dating from the early
Christian period.
The Principle Historic Sites of the Eastern Bank in Luxor
The Temple of Karnak:
Built in the 20th century B.C., it is the biggest of the ancient Egyptian temples and was the seat of the god Amun, and the administrative capital of the country. A visit to the temple begins at the sacred quay, decorated with a Nilometer showing flood levels of the Nile and then passes through an avenue, bordered by statues of ram-headed sphinxes, to the temple itself. Inside the temple there is an open courtyard with a smaller temple on the left-hand side. Then there is a large hypostyle hall, built during the reigns of Seti I and Rameses II, containing 134 pillars, twelve of which are topped with capitals in the form of open papyrus flowers.
The Luxor Temple:
This was built by Amenhotep III as a private residence for god Amun, but Rameses II later added statues of himself to either side of the temple: two seated and two standing. Inside there is an open coutyard built by Rameses II, comprising a pillared colonnade; and a second courtyard by Amenhotep III with pillars decorated with papyrus designs. The Luxor Museum contains a remarkable collection of ancient Egyptian sculpture found during the course of restoration at the Karnak and Luxor temples.
The Valley of the Kings:
This site contains a large number of tombs of the Kings and Pharoahs, including the tombs of: Seti I, Rameses II, Horemheb and Tutankhamun, which was the only tomb to be discovered more or less intact.
The Valley of the Queens:
The area contains tombs of approximately eighty Ancient Egyptian queens and tombs of their children. Here is located the beautiful tomb of Nefertari, recently opened to visitors.
The Temple of Queen Hatshepsut:
Constructed in an archi tectural style which is unique in Egypt. This temple is dedicated to the goddess Hathor. It contains some remarkable reliefs showing the birth of the Queen and a trading expedition to the Land of Punt – probably modern Somalia.
The Principle Historic Sites of the West Bank in Luxor
The Ramesseum Temple:
Lying on the road leading from Hatshepsut’s mortuary temple to settlement of Medinet Habu, it was erected by the Rameses II. The most notable features are the 20m high-seated statue of the Pharoah and a number of reliefs showing him fighting at the Battle of Kadesh.
Medinet Habu:
There are a number of temples
here, the most important being that of Rameses III, which is the most complete
of the funerary temples. There are also about four hundred Tombs of the
Nobles, situated on the West Bank, including amongst the largest and most
beautiful, the tomb of Ramose, in which there is a series of reliefs depicting
the life of luxury and splendor enjoyed by the Ancient Egyptians.
The Ancient City of Abu Sir
(Taposiris):
The site includes a temple dedicated
to the cult of Osiris. Its walls are well preserved. It is located near
Alexandria.
The Lighthouse of Abu Sir:
This was used to guide ships
on Lake Mareotis. It is situated near the temple in the city of Taposiris.
The Baths of Cleopatra:
This is situated on a rocky
stretch of coast near Marsa Matruh. It is a medical center and a summer resort,
particularly favored by sand-bathers.
The Monastery of St. Mena:
This is to be found 75
kilometers to the west of Alexandria. It is of great importance to Christians
as well as being a medical center favored by tourists.
The Commonwealth War Cemetery:
This is situated in the El Alamein Area, 107 kilometers
to the west of Alexandria in a large walled garden.
The Italian War Cemetery:
This is situated 119 kilometers from Alexandria on a high
hill and is a vast building in the form of a marble covered tower.
The German War Cemetery:
This is situated 114 kilometers from Alexandria and is a massive building in the form of a fortress on a hill overlooking the desert and the sea. All around the building there are the graves of the German troops that fell during the North African Campaign.
The Cave of Rommel:
This is hollowed out of the rock in Marsa Matruh and was
used the German Field Marshal Rommel. It is now a museum of memorabilia from
the Second World War.
The Museum of El Alamein:
This contains weapons and other equipment used in the
Second World War. It also contains photographs of the compaign.
Beni Hassan:
Here, on the east back of the
Nile, is a large area of tombs dating back to the age of the Middle Kingdom. It
contains thirty-nine tombs, the walls of which are adorned with numerous
drawings, scenic decorations, and illustrations of sporting activity. Among the
most interesting tombs are: the tomb of Amenemhat, who was a judge under King
Senusert I; the tomb of Khanoum Hatab II, who held the position of mayor; and
the tomb of Kheti, who was one of the region’s judges.
Tel El Amarna:
Akhenaton chose this site as
his capital during a period of religious revolution. The site, which lies 65km
east of the Nile towards the village of Deir Mawas, contains a number of tombs
including, the tomb of Meri Ra, where pictures on the walls depict the story of
his appointment as priest to the god Aton and a picture of Akhenaton and his
wife Nefertiti as they prepare to visit the temple of Aton; and the tomb of Ay,
who came to the throne after the death of the Young King Tutankhamun.
The Castle of al Arish:
Is situated on a high hill to the north west of al Arish and dates back to Ancient Egyptian times. The Turkish Sultan, Suleyman the Magnificent, fortified the castle.
Maghara Castle:
Is situated to the north of al
Arish and dates back to the Roman period. The area itself is really an open-air
museum containing a great number of monuments, including a huge statue of the
tutelary god of the Sinai Peninsula.
The Castle of Nakhl:
Is one of the fortresses that
overlooks the old pilgrimage route of Mecca. The Mamluke Sultam, Qansuh al
Ghouri in 1516, built it. The town of Nakhl is right in the middle of the
biblical wilderness.
The Temple of Serabit al
Khadim:
dates back to the XIIth
dynasty and contains 385 inscriptions. The temple is built on top of a small
mountain and is dedicated to the goddess Hathor. It stands near a mine dating
back to the reign of Snofru and another opened in the reign of Queen
Hatshepsut.
Islamic Sites: Includes
mosques and other Islamic monuments like:
The Tomb of Sheikh Abu al
Hassan al Shadhli:
Is situated in the Valley of
Hamthirah in the Easern Desert 150 kilometers from the city of Marsa Allam. The
tomb was erected in the 12th century and is the burial place of the
Sheikh al Shadhli who was a descendent of the Imam Ali. He was the founder of
the Shadhliyya Sufi brotherhood. His name attests his origin from the North
African village of Shadhla. There is a yearly festival held at the tomb to
celebrate his birth.
The Fortress of Sultan
Selim: is situated in the city of Quseir, 140 kilometers to the south of
Hurghada.
Christian Sites: There are
numerous monasteries in the deserts of the Red Sea coast. The most famous are:
The Monastery of St.
Anthony:
Located in the Eastern Desert,
this monastery was built in about 400 AD. It covers an area of about 18 acres
and contains the cave to which St. Anthony used to retire to pray.
The Monastery of St. Paul:
This ancient monastery is
located in the desert to the south of that of St. Anthony.
The temple of Seti I:
Situated at the site of
Abydos, which is regarded as one of the most important archaological sites in
Egypt, it was built by Seti I, but completed by Ramses I, and is considered
among the most beautiful Egyptian temples. It has two halls of columns; the
first with carved reliefs, and the second with designs in painted relief.
The Osirion:
This structure lies behind the
temple of Seti I and contains a number of corridors and a courtyard leading to
a second pillared courtyard, which is surrounded by sixteen small rooms.
The Temple of Rameses II:
Lying north of the temple of
Seti I, most of the building has collapsed, with only 2 m of the walls
remaining. It has sandstone pillars, granite door frame and a marble sanctuary.
The Statue of Akhmim:
At the site of Abydos, this
undamaged statue of an Egyptian queen reaches a height of 11 m and still
retains its detail and color.
Deir Al Anba Shenouda – The
White Monastery:
Founded in the year 440, it lies about 6 km west of Sohag, and was
built using stones and pillars taken from ancient temples.
Deir Al Anba Bishoi – The
Red Monastery:
Situated 2 km from the White Monastery,
it also dates back to the fifth century.
Deir Al Saba Jibal:
Lying in the Kind’s Valley at
Akhmim, the monastery is considered among the most interesting in the area.
Al Gaamia At Atiq – The old
mosque of Sohag:
Dates back to the Fatimid period.
Masjid Al Arif:
A 15th century
mosque.
Jabal Musa:
Reaching a height of 2285
meters. There are at the summit a small chapel and a mosque. Many people climb the
mountain in order to witness one of the most beautiful sights of Sinai – the
sunrise.
Saint Catherine’s
Monastery:
There was a church built here
by the Empress Helens, wife of Constantine, on the site of the Burning Bush, in
337. The present monastery contains a collection of icons of exceptional
importance as well as a magnificent library containing thousands of manuscripts
in Greek, Arabic Syriac, Armenian, and Coptic. The church is decorated with a superb mosaic
of the Transfiguration.
Ras Mohammed:
This is an unparalleled area
of gulfs, and warm water springs and is home to a large number of unusual
species. Its shores boast the most wonderful coral reefs, marine life, and
mangrove trees.
St. Catherine’s Nature
Reserve:
This area contains a large
number of animals reptiles, and birds, as well as medicinal plants, and herbs.
Nabaq Nature Reserve:
Between the towns of Sharm al
Sheikh and Dahab, it has an abundance of animal and plant life, including rare
moths, and reptiles, as well as various species of indigenous and migratory
birds, that made their nests in the mangrove trees that grow in the sea along
the shore. These trees are in themselves an important feature of the nature
reserve.