Aswan
The Nubian Museum
The construction of the museum in Aswan is regarded as a great success
of the international campaign for saving the monuments of Nubia which
was supported byUNESCO.
The museum houses three thousand artifacts representing various
archaeological periods throughout the history of Egypt (prehistoric,
Pharaonic, Greek, Roman, Coptic and the Islamic).
The Culturual Centre in Aswan
The Cultural Centre in Aswan by Corniche El Nile,presents evening
shows of Nubian folk art. The performances reflect local traditional
life pattern of Nubians covering dance,music and ethnic festivals.
The High Dam
The High Dam is one of the outstanding architectural ahievements of
the twentieth century.It was constructed to replace the old Aswan dam
built in 1902. The High Dam was constructed to protect Egypt from the
floods as well as providing irrigation and electricity all over Egypt.
It is 3600 meters long.Visitors can easily locate Lake Nasser which is a
huge water reservoir.
West Bank tourist sites:
Tombs of the Nobles
hey are carved in the rocks of the west mountain opposite to the
north end of Aswan city. They date back to the 23rd century B.C.Inside
the tombs are decorated with vivid murals depicting scenes of everyday
life, hieroglyphic biographies and inscriptions showing the noblemen
journeys into Africa.
The Agha Khan Masusoleum:
It features a typical architecture of the Fatimid style. Agha Khan was
the late leader of the Ismaili sect, who preferred to spend winter
every year in Aswan.
The Monastery of St.Simeon:
It dates back to the 6th century A.D. It is one of the most intact
Coptic monasteries which includes a church, whose frescoes are still
extant representing Jesus Christ and the Saints.
Visitors can make tours to Kom ombo and Edfu by feluccas, coach or taxi
Kom Ombo Temple
It is located in Kom ombo town, 45 km north of Aswan. It is built on a
hillside overlooking the Nile. This temple was constructed in the
Ptolemaic Roman era for the worship of god Haroeris and Sobek, the
crocodile god.It is noted for relief engravings on its walls which show
ancient surgical tools,bone saws and dentistry tools.
Nearby there are three mummified crocodiles.They are now in Hathor's
chapel. Near Kom ombo you can go on a visit to camel market held every
Tuesday in Draw, where camels brought from north Sudan to be sold.
Edfu Temple
It lies in Edfu town, 123 km north of Aswan on the west bank of the
Nile. It dates back to the Ptolemaic period.It was dedicated to the
worship of god Horus represented as a falcon. It is one of the most
beautiful Egyptian temples,distinguished by its huge splendid structure
that blends Pharaonic and Greek architecture.
Its grandeur competes with Luxor temples. It is the second largest
temple after Karnak. It also houses the Nilometer and a huge pylon at
the entrance. It was discovered in 1860 by the famous archaeologist
Mariette. On its walls are reliefs which depict the history of Ptolemy's
and reflect religious belief and art style of the period.
Nubia
Once the ancient kingdom of Kush,Nubia houses archaeological sites of
great interest: temples, fortresses and tombs.The construction of the
high dam posed a great danger of overflooding the temples of
Philae,Kalabsha and Abu Simbel.
The Nubians still retain their customs, traditions, language and
architecture. One can enjoy a cruise Lake Nasser by boats to explore the
new Nubia after relocating the flooded temples.
Temples of Nubia:
Temple of Kalabsha
It dates back to the Greco-Roman era. Built by the Roman Emperor Octavius Augustus and dedicated to the Nubian god Mandolis.
Temple of Beit AL-Wali
Dates back to the reign of Ramses II. Its walls are decorated with
bright coloured reliefs depicting the military victories of the king.
Kiosk of Kertassi
Dedicated to the goddess Isis, with two magnificent Hathohic columns.
Temple of Amada
The oldest temple in Nubia,built by three pharaohs of the Thutmosis dynasty.
Temple of Derr
Next to Amada temple,built by Ramses II ,and dedicated to the sun god Ra.
Temple of Penout
The only surviving tomb of an Egyptian viceroy in Nubia.
Kasr Ibrim
The relics of an ancient citadel.
Wadi al-Seboua' Temple
Constructed in the reign of Ramses II for the worship of god Amon.
Temple of Dakka
Built by Amenophis II dedicated to Thot. It was reconstructed in the Graeco-Roman era.
Abu Simbel
Situated 280km south of Aswan, the two temples of Abu Simbel are the
most magnificent temples in the world. The first temple was built by the
mighty Pharaoh Ramses II,the other for his wife Queen Nefertari. Their
relocation is an achievement supported and managed by UNESCO.
The Great Temple of Abu Simbel ( Ramses II )
It is built by Ramses II. It is distinguished by its main façade with
four colossal statues of Ramses II sit enthroned wearing the double
crown of Upper and Lower Egypt. The temple was dedicated to the sun god
Ra' Horakhti.The most interesting relic is the Qadesh battle scene
recording his victories over the Hittites. It was built on a strict east
–west axis so that the morning sun actually reached the innermost
sanctuary at dawn, illuminating the statues of Ptah,Amon,Ramses II,and
Ra –Horakhty twice a year.
The Small Temple of Abu Simbel ( Nefertari )
It is located 50 metres from the great temple. It was built by Ramses
II for his beautiful wife Nefertari to be worshipped with other gods. It
is also called the temple of Hathor, the goddess of love and beauty.
Its facade is adorned by six statues four for Ramses II and two for his
wife Nefertari.The walls of the temple are decorated with scenes
depicting Ramses and Nefertari offering sacrifices to the gods.
Sound and Light show of Abu Simbel temples
Three daily shows are held in variouslanguages.
Aswan is Egypt’s most
southern city, larger but more quiet and chilled out than Luxor. It is
here that the Nile is at its most beautiful, flowing through amber
desert and granite rocks, round emerald islands covered in palm groves
and tropical plants. Small enough to walk around, the pace of life in
Aswan is slow and relaxing.
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Explore
the souk, full of the scent and colours of spices, perfumes, scarves
and baskets. View the spectacular sunsets while having tea on the
terrace of the Old Cataract Hotel. Visit the sight of the Aswan Dam
which changed the landscape of this area for ever. Take a felucca trip
across to Elephantine Island, where you can take a camel trek to one of
the Nubian villages or enjoy a traditional Nubian meal.
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Or simply spend the
days strolling up and down the broad Corniche watching the sailboats
etch the sky with their tall masts or sitting in floating restaurants
listening to Nubian music and eating fresh fish. |
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