The valley of the Necropolis workers is located far away from Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens and Valley of the Nobles. The artisans of the New Kingdom consisted of stone workers, engravers, quarrymen and artists. They lived in a village of which today remains can be seen.
Because of their great skill the workers built their own personal tombs which were always beautifully decorated with paintings on the walls and ceilings. One such tomb is that of Sennedjem where paintings depict husband and wife worshiping the gods of the After-life.
Showing posts with label Aswan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Aswan. Show all posts
The Colossi of Memnon:1
Two gigantic statues (Shammy & Tammy) known in ancient Greek times for their haunting voices at Dawn, they are 19 & 20 Meters high so that they can guard a mortuary temple in Thebes by Amenhotep third...
Hatshepsut Temple at El Deir El Bahari:1
Which is located at the head of Valley overshadowed by the peak of Thebes, Hatshepsut is one of the more mysterious figures of ancient Egyptian history...
Temple of Horus:1
The falcon headed god, which is a dynastic symbol of Egypt that combines the Pharaonic & Greek architectures...
Details
This is not only the best preserved ancient temple in Egypt, but the second largest after Karnak. It was believed that the temple was built on the site of the great battle between Horus and Seth.
Details
This is not only the best preserved ancient temple in Egypt, but the second largest after Karnak. It was believed that the temple was built on the site of the great battle between Horus and Seth.
Philae Temple:1
Philae Temple was dismantled and reassembled (on Agilika Island about 550 meters from its original home on Philae Island) in the wake of the High Dam...
Details
The Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis, is in a beautiful setting which has been landscaped to match its original site. It''''s various shrines and sanctuaries, which include The Vestibule of Nectanebos I which is used as the entrance to the island, the Temple of the Emperor Hadrian, a Temple of Hathor, Trajan''''s Kiosk (Pharaohs Bed), a birth house and two pylons celebrate all the deities involved in the Isis and Osiris myth. The Victorian world fell in love with the romance of the Temple. But at night you can also visit the Sound and Light Show, a magical experience as floodlit buildings are silhouetted against the volcanic rocks and water surrounding them. So today, Philae is more fun then every before.
Although antiquities on the island date between the 26th Dynasty and the Roman Period, most of the work is from that of the Roman. This was a time of immense popularity of the Goddess Isis, and this was her island, where pilgrims would come from all over the Mediterranean. Construction on the island took place over an 800 year span, and it was one of the last strongholds of Ancient Egyptian Religion which continued to flourish here into the 6th Century. When the Temples where finally closed by Justinian in A.D 550, it ended 4,000 years of worship of the pagan gods.
Details
The Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis, is in a beautiful setting which has been landscaped to match its original site. It''''s various shrines and sanctuaries, which include The Vestibule of Nectanebos I which is used as the entrance to the island, the Temple of the Emperor Hadrian, a Temple of Hathor, Trajan''''s Kiosk (Pharaohs Bed), a birth house and two pylons celebrate all the deities involved in the Isis and Osiris myth. The Victorian world fell in love with the romance of the Temple. But at night you can also visit the Sound and Light Show, a magical experience as floodlit buildings are silhouetted against the volcanic rocks and water surrounding them. So today, Philae is more fun then every before.
Although antiquities on the island date between the 26th Dynasty and the Roman Period, most of the work is from that of the Roman. This was a time of immense popularity of the Goddess Isis, and this was her island, where pilgrims would come from all over the Mediterranean. Construction on the island took place over an 800 year span, and it was one of the last strongholds of Ancient Egyptian Religion which continued to flourish here into the 6th Century. When the Temples where finally closed by Justinian in A.D 550, it ended 4,000 years of worship of the pagan gods.
High Dam:3
Aswan High Dam or ''Al Sad Al Aaly'' in Arabic; lies north of the border between Egypt and Sudan, a huge rock fill dam which detains the world''s longest river, the Nile, in one of the world''s third largest reservoirs, Lake Nasser...
Details
Aswan High Dam was an engineering miracle at that time as it is considered one of the biggest Dams in the world; it contains 18 times the material used in the Great Pyramids of Cheops.
Before the Aswan High Dam was built in the sixties, farmers had to contend with the annual inundation (flood), but now the flow of the Nile is carefully controlled. It was completed in 1970 after ten years of work.
Details
Aswan High Dam was an engineering miracle at that time as it is considered one of the biggest Dams in the world; it contains 18 times the material used in the Great Pyramids of Cheops.
Before the Aswan High Dam was built in the sixties, farmers had to contend with the annual inundation (flood), but now the flow of the Nile is carefully controlled. It was completed in 1970 after ten years of work.
Aga Khan Mausoleum:2
The Mausoleum has an excellent view, including Aga Khan''''s white villa below, and is near the Monastery of St. Simons on the west bank at Aswan...
Details
It is the Mausoleum of the spiritual leader of the Ismailis, a Shiite sect (as were the Fatimid) based principally in India but with followers around the world. It is a very elegant pink granite structure of late 1950 origin, which also resembles the Fatimid tombs in Cairo. Members of this sect consider themselves to be the direct spiritual descendants of the Fatimid. The Mausoleum has an excellent view, including Aga Khan''''s white villa below, and is near the Monastery of St. Simeons on the west bank at Aswan. His Begun, or wife, still lives in the villa three months of the year.
The Mausoleum is no longer open to the public.
Elephantine Island
Is the largest of the Aswan area islands, it is one of the most ancient sites in Egypt; with artifacts dating to Predynastic periods....
Details
Elephantine is an island in the River Nile, located downstream of the First Cataract. It measures some 1.2 km from north to south, and is about 400 m across at its widest. It is a part of the modern Egyptian city of Aswan.
Known to the Ancient Egyptians as Abu or Yebu, Elephantine stands at the border between Egypt and Nubia. The island was an excellent defensive site for a city and its location made it a natural transshipping point for river trade.
According to Egyptian mythology, here was the dwelling place of Chnum, the ram-headed god of the cataracts, who controlled the waters of the Nile from caves beneath the island: he was worshipped here as part of a triad comprising him, his wife Satis, and their daughter Anuket. There are records of a temple to Chnum here as early as the third dynasty, and most of the southern tip of the island is taken up by the ruins of the later temple to him that was completely rebuilt in the Late Period (30th dynasty).
Details
Elephantine is an island in the River Nile, located downstream of the First Cataract. It measures some 1.2 km from north to south, and is about 400 m across at its widest. It is a part of the modern Egyptian city of Aswan.
Known to the Ancient Egyptians as Abu or Yebu, Elephantine stands at the border between Egypt and Nubia. The island was an excellent defensive site for a city and its location made it a natural transshipping point for river trade.
According to Egyptian mythology, here was the dwelling place of Chnum, the ram-headed god of the cataracts, who controlled the waters of the Nile from caves beneath the island: he was worshipped here as part of a triad comprising him, his wife Satis, and their daughter Anuket. There are records of a temple to Chnum here as early as the third dynasty, and most of the southern tip of the island is taken up by the ruins of the later temple to him that was completely rebuilt in the Late Period (30th dynasty).
Imhoteb Museum
Officially inaugurated on April 20, 2006, the Imhoteb
Museum venerates both the Ancient Egyptian architect
Imhotep and the notable French Egyptologist Jean Philippe
Lauer. The name Imhotep means the one who comes in
peace; he was a genius architect who constructed the
first stone pyramid ever in the Ancient Egyptian historythe
step pyramid of Sakara plateau dating back to the third dynasty around 2700 B.C. Imhotep held diverse posts and titles, amongst which was the vizier and architect of the king, the physician, chancellor to the pharaoh, high priest of the sun god Ra at Heliopolis and administrator of the palace. The Greeks also considered him as the god of medicine as Asclepius. The museum’s major theme is to display the most significant artifacts discovered on the Sakara site. Prior to the entrance on the right hand side visitors are first welcomed into a visitor’s center or the so-called visual setting
hall where they watch a 10-minute documentary movie on Sakara’s history called Sakara Hidden Path to Eternity presented by the National Geographic Television and Film, in cooperation with
the Supreme Council of Antiquities and narrated by renowned Egyptian and International actor Omar El Sherif. Upon entering the first of six halls, visitors will encounter a remaining pedestal
of King Zoser’s statue found at a small sanctuary south of the entrance colonnade of his funeral complex. The
feet steps over nine bows representing foreign countries. On the base is an inscription with the names and titles of King Zoser; besides which Imhotep was granted the privilege of carving his name.To the right is the second gallery called Sakara’s Mission,
showing the most recent discoveries unearthed in Sakara
by various archaeological missions. Among the collection
is the famous well preserved and gold cased anthropoid
coffin, which was among the excavations of Dr. Zahi Hawas
Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities
dating back to the late period around the 30th dynasty.
In addition to copper surgical instruments from a 5th -6th
dynasty tomb of Qar who was a physician of the palace
and keeper of the secrets of the king. Near his tomb other
bronze objects were found including a statue of Imhotep
that was found in a cache dating to the late kingdom,
which is currently on show in another hall of the museum.
In this room is a TV screen showing a short documentary film under the name of Imhotep narrated in different languages.On the right hand side next to the Sakara Mission room is the third Sakara
Styles hall presenting a collection of stone vessels used for cosmetic materials and ointments from the early dynastic period. Among these are a collection of clay and alabaster vessels in various shapes. More than 40,000 vases carved from hard stone were
found in galleries beneath the Step Pyramid. Many of these were from the first and second dynasties and it is believed that Zoser placed them in his tomb. Moreover one could see a different collection of instruments and tools, a collection of limestone and vividly painted wooden statues.
After the Sakara styles gallery the visitor will pass through
another fourth hall designed mainly to exhibit remains of
diverse architectural styles from Zoser’s funeral complex at
the site. Items include remains of columns form the colonnade,
remaining freize of cobras brought from the façade
of the southern tomb’s cult chapel for protection, a headless
statue of King Zoser, a large model of the blue tiled wall
of the step pyramid’s southern tomb, showing king Zoser
in a ceremonial dress for his jubilee festival known as the
Heb-Sed Festival. Also on show in this room is the famous
bronze statue of Imhotep. A doorway from the fourth gallery leads to the fifth entitled Sakara tombs providing a general idea of a tomb’s content. On show is a wooden coffin with remains of blue colors and has religious coffin texts inscribed on its inner sides painted in black on a yellow coating. Above the coffin was found
a wooden rowing boat which is now on show above the coffin. An offering table and a false door are also on display close by the coffin. On the right hand side of the room is most probably
the mummy of Merenre discovered by Gaston Maspero in 1881 dating back to the 6th dynasty around 2297-2292 B.C. The room exhibits the work of Jean Leclant and Audran Labrousse at the
Pyramid Complex of Pepi I and Pepi II, including on show the viscera of King Pepi I as well as remaining preserved parts of a kilt.
Back heading towards the exit we see the Lauer’s
library marking the sixth and ultimate gallery. The French
Archaeologist Jean Philippe Lauer devoted his life to
Sakara, which has always been and remains a place of
attraction with all what it has to offer visitors; he especially
consecrated his efforts to the restoration of the Step
Pyramid. In 1926, he was invited by the Egyptian Antiquities Service to Egypt on a mission for eight months; but ended up staying
in Egypt until he died in 2001. He excelled in introducing
modern restoration techniques, which served as a model
for work still used by the Supreme Council of Antiquities. On
display are some of his books, publications, tools, his hat,
camera and compass.
Directions: Straight down El Mounib ring road from
Corniche El Maadi , take the Marrioteya-Sakara exit passing the
Cataract Pyramids Resort Hotel on the left hand drive for approximately 22km south west of Cairo. Upon reaching
the Sakara plateau entrance, you will have to stop for a security check,after which you can purchase tickets to the Sakara plateau. Take the first right exit immediately after the ticket office to visit the museum, located right at the foot of the plateau. A separate
ticket office for the museum is right next to its entrance. Entrance fees for cost LE15 for adults and LE10 for students. Cameras are free of charge; however the use of flash is prohibited.
Museum venerates both the Ancient Egyptian architect
Imhotep and the notable French Egyptologist Jean Philippe
Lauer. The name Imhotep means the one who comes in
peace; he was a genius architect who constructed the
first stone pyramid ever in the Ancient Egyptian historythe
step pyramid of Sakara plateau dating back to the third dynasty around 2700 B.C. Imhotep held diverse posts and titles, amongst which was the vizier and architect of the king, the physician, chancellor to the pharaoh, high priest of the sun god Ra at Heliopolis and administrator of the palace. The Greeks also considered him as the god of medicine as Asclepius. The museum’s major theme is to display the most significant artifacts discovered on the Sakara site. Prior to the entrance on the right hand side visitors are first welcomed into a visitor’s center or the so-called visual setting
hall where they watch a 10-minute documentary movie on Sakara’s history called Sakara Hidden Path to Eternity presented by the National Geographic Television and Film, in cooperation with
the Supreme Council of Antiquities and narrated by renowned Egyptian and International actor Omar El Sherif. Upon entering the first of six halls, visitors will encounter a remaining pedestal
of King Zoser’s statue found at a small sanctuary south of the entrance colonnade of his funeral complex. The
feet steps over nine bows representing foreign countries. On the base is an inscription with the names and titles of King Zoser; besides which Imhotep was granted the privilege of carving his name.To the right is the second gallery called Sakara’s Mission,
showing the most recent discoveries unearthed in Sakara
by various archaeological missions. Among the collection
is the famous well preserved and gold cased anthropoid
coffin, which was among the excavations of Dr. Zahi Hawas
Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities
dating back to the late period around the 30th dynasty.
In addition to copper surgical instruments from a 5th -6th
dynasty tomb of Qar who was a physician of the palace
and keeper of the secrets of the king. Near his tomb other
bronze objects were found including a statue of Imhotep
that was found in a cache dating to the late kingdom,
which is currently on show in another hall of the museum.
In this room is a TV screen showing a short documentary film under the name of Imhotep narrated in different languages.On the right hand side next to the Sakara Mission room is the third Sakara
Styles hall presenting a collection of stone vessels used for cosmetic materials and ointments from the early dynastic period. Among these are a collection of clay and alabaster vessels in various shapes. More than 40,000 vases carved from hard stone were
found in galleries beneath the Step Pyramid. Many of these were from the first and second dynasties and it is believed that Zoser placed them in his tomb. Moreover one could see a different collection of instruments and tools, a collection of limestone and vividly painted wooden statues.
After the Sakara styles gallery the visitor will pass through
another fourth hall designed mainly to exhibit remains of
diverse architectural styles from Zoser’s funeral complex at
the site. Items include remains of columns form the colonnade,
remaining freize of cobras brought from the façade
of the southern tomb’s cult chapel for protection, a headless
statue of King Zoser, a large model of the blue tiled wall
of the step pyramid’s southern tomb, showing king Zoser
in a ceremonial dress for his jubilee festival known as the
Heb-Sed Festival. Also on show in this room is the famous
bronze statue of Imhotep. A doorway from the fourth gallery leads to the fifth entitled Sakara tombs providing a general idea of a tomb’s content. On show is a wooden coffin with remains of blue colors and has religious coffin texts inscribed on its inner sides painted in black on a yellow coating. Above the coffin was found
a wooden rowing boat which is now on show above the coffin. An offering table and a false door are also on display close by the coffin. On the right hand side of the room is most probably
the mummy of Merenre discovered by Gaston Maspero in 1881 dating back to the 6th dynasty around 2297-2292 B.C. The room exhibits the work of Jean Leclant and Audran Labrousse at the
Pyramid Complex of Pepi I and Pepi II, including on show the viscera of King Pepi I as well as remaining preserved parts of a kilt.
Back heading towards the exit we see the Lauer’s
library marking the sixth and ultimate gallery. The French
Archaeologist Jean Philippe Lauer devoted his life to
Sakara, which has always been and remains a place of
attraction with all what it has to offer visitors; he especially
consecrated his efforts to the restoration of the Step
Pyramid. In 1926, he was invited by the Egyptian Antiquities Service to Egypt on a mission for eight months; but ended up staying
in Egypt until he died in 2001. He excelled in introducing
modern restoration techniques, which served as a model
for work still used by the Supreme Council of Antiquities. On
display are some of his books, publications, tools, his hat,
camera and compass.
Directions: Straight down El Mounib ring road from
Corniche El Maadi , take the Marrioteya-Sakara exit passing the
Cataract Pyramids Resort Hotel on the left hand drive for approximately 22km south west of Cairo. Upon reaching
the Sakara plateau entrance, you will have to stop for a security check,after which you can purchase tickets to the Sakara plateau. Take the first right exit immediately after the ticket office to visit the museum, located right at the foot of the plateau. A separate
ticket office for the museum is right next to its entrance. Entrance fees for cost LE15 for adults and LE10 for students. Cameras are free of charge; however the use of flash is prohibited.
Discoveries at Naqlun
A mission from the Polish Centre of Mediterranean
Archaeology of Warsaw University unearthed a
decorated clay vessel from a room in a monastic
building at the Deir Malak Gubrail monastery in Naqlun,
a site in the Fayum. The vessel is of Aswan production
and contained a hoard of coins.
The hoard consists of 18 gold coins and 62 fragments
of coins, all of them provisionally dated to the Abbasid
period (AD 750-1258). Under the charred remains of
a collapsed wall, archaeologists also uncovered a
chandelier and a well-preserved oil lamp, both made of
bronze.
Wlodzimierz Godlewski, the head of the Polish mission,
said that the monastic complex of Naqlun was built in
the early 6th century AD. The area excavated this season
dated to the 7th century AD, and was destroyed by a
massive fire around the end of the 8th or the beginning
of the 9th century AD.
Archaeology of Warsaw University unearthed a
decorated clay vessel from a room in a monastic
building at the Deir Malak Gubrail monastery in Naqlun,
a site in the Fayum. The vessel is of Aswan production
and contained a hoard of coins.
The hoard consists of 18 gold coins and 62 fragments
of coins, all of them provisionally dated to the Abbasid
period (AD 750-1258). Under the charred remains of
a collapsed wall, archaeologists also uncovered a
chandelier and a well-preserved oil lamp, both made of
bronze.
Wlodzimierz Godlewski, the head of the Polish mission,
said that the monastic complex of Naqlun was built in
the early 6th century AD. The area excavated this season
dated to the 7th century AD, and was destroyed by a
massive fire around the end of the 8th or the beginning
of the 9th century AD.
Restaurants in aswan
El Masry
Prices are very cheap around $8 dollars per meal, which
includes your choice of meat chicken or fish that is served
with rice, and your choice of cooked vegetables with
tomato sauce, or fries. The meal is served with noodles or
lentil soup. Be careful the lentil soup is made out of lamb
meat soup, so it is kind of strong for those who don’t eat
or like meat.
El Matar Street, in front of Movenpick Resort
Makka
As you are strolling in the market in the direction of the
train station, ask for Mecca restaurant – Egyptian cuisine
and you will be correctly guided. It is located on Abtal El
Tahrir st, in front of Architect Union, Engineers Syndicate.
El Dokka restaurant
if you wish to have some lunch. Average price per person
is $20- 25. It is located on Aswan’s Island Port, Eissa’s Island
after Aswan’s museum. They have their main transport ferry
located in front of Egypt Air Office, Aswan. Known for their
lamb tagines and excellent salads.
Located on a small Island behind Elephantine Island
El Chef Khalil, Sea Food
If you opt for fresh fish - El Chef Khalil restaurant is at the
market next door to paradise hotel - near the train station.
Activities
The Local Market
The Souk is full of the scent and colors of spices, perfumes
scarves, colorful textiles and Nubian baskets. The shopping
experience is really enjoyable. The quantity and variety is
vast.
Book Shop
Tourist Book Center, Aswan Book shop located at the market
area near to paradise hotel. There you will find many books
on the sites you have visited to take back home as a souvenir.
Ancient Therapies still practiced
Aswan’s black sands and warm sun are timeless healing
therapies. The climato-therapy practiced along, the Nile
and the red sea, have long yielded results that modern
medicines have yet to replicate. In studies conducted by Egypt’s national center for research over the past decades, patients with rheumatism and other joint inflammations have reported a marked
improvement in their conditions with many reporting a total
cure. The low doses of naturally radioactive elements found
in the sand along with the region’s concentrated ultraviolet
rays and warm dry climate are reputed to have numerous
health benefits. The recommended therapy includes daily two-hour black sand baths for a period of three to four weeks. Nubians just
south of Aswan use a unique therapy in which the patient’s
body is immersed in sand during the hottest part of the day.
This therapy carried out under the supervision of sheikhs
who specialize in the process, treats arthritis and activities
blood circulation, with the patient’s relatives and neighbors
gathering to sing folk songs that have been written for such
occasions. This raises the patient’s spirits and prevents him
or her from getting bored after a set period of time; the
patient is then unburied, wrapped in heavy blankets to protect
from the breezes,taken quickly to an enclosed space
and offered a hot drink of Masisa and halfa el-barr plants.
The Nubian sheikhs also use a poultice of Nile silt to
treat migraines, toothaches and torn muscles. This type of
therapy has much in common with pelotherapy, used in
international sanitariums, where mud is mixed with mineral
water and applied as a part of a heat treatment for joint
inflammation. Treatments are found at major hotels such as the
Movenpick or locally especially at Gharb Suheil Village
therapies. The climato-therapy practiced along, the Nile
and the red sea, have long yielded results that modern
medicines have yet to replicate. In studies conducted by Egypt’s national center for research over the past decades, patients with rheumatism and other joint inflammations have reported a marked
improvement in their conditions with many reporting a total
cure. The low doses of naturally radioactive elements found
in the sand along with the region’s concentrated ultraviolet
rays and warm dry climate are reputed to have numerous
health benefits. The recommended therapy includes daily two-hour black sand baths for a period of three to four weeks. Nubians just
south of Aswan use a unique therapy in which the patient’s
body is immersed in sand during the hottest part of the day.
This therapy carried out under the supervision of sheikhs
who specialize in the process, treats arthritis and activities
blood circulation, with the patient’s relatives and neighbors
gathering to sing folk songs that have been written for such
occasions. This raises the patient’s spirits and prevents him
or her from getting bored after a set period of time; the
patient is then unburied, wrapped in heavy blankets to protect
from the breezes,taken quickly to an enclosed space
and offered a hot drink of Masisa and halfa el-barr plants.
The Nubian sheikhs also use a poultice of Nile silt to
treat migraines, toothaches and torn muscles. This type of
therapy has much in common with pelotherapy, used in
international sanitariums, where mud is mixed with mineral
water and applied as a part of a heat treatment for joint
inflammation. Treatments are found at major hotels such as the
Movenpick or locally especially at Gharb Suheil Village
Mausoleum of Agha Khan III
Leader of the Ismaili Community- a sect of Islam, who
particularly chose Aswan to erect a single dome Fatimid
style mausoleum. From there you can ride a camel to the
Monastery of St. Simeon, which is one of the largest and
preserved monasteries that is dedicated to a local saint
who lived there in the fifth century.
particularly chose Aswan to erect a single dome Fatimid
style mausoleum. From there you can ride a camel to the
Monastery of St. Simeon, which is one of the largest and
preserved monasteries that is dedicated to a local saint
who lived there in the fifth century.
Nubian Village on Gharb Soheil Island
Once you reach the Island, feel free to leisurely walk
and enjoy a quiet shopping experience at good rates, but
remember you always have to bargain. Nubian dolls, colorful
sand vases with your name can be good souvenirs. As
you walk, you could be warmly treated for tea in a Nubian
house, in the meantime a Nubian lady can be called if
you opt for henna painting. It is your chance to see the
Nubian mode of living, and you would be surprised to see
that some of them are raising crocodiles in their house. It is
highly recommended. You can rent a half day motorboat
for around $30- $60. The non-stop journey to the village is
around 30 minutes by boat from the Movenpick Hotel dock,
unless you stop on the way and check different sites, then it
will certainly take longer. Recommended stops on the way
and enjoy a quiet shopping experience at good rates, but
remember you always have to bargain. Nubian dolls, colorful
sand vases with your name can be good souvenirs. As
you walk, you could be warmly treated for tea in a Nubian
house, in the meantime a Nubian lady can be called if
you opt for henna painting. It is your chance to see the
Nubian mode of living, and you would be surprised to see
that some of them are raising crocodiles in their house. It is
highly recommended. You can rent a half day motorboat
for around $30- $60. The non-stop journey to the village is
around 30 minutes by boat from the Movenpick Hotel dock,
unless you stop on the way and check different sites, then it
will certainly take longer. Recommended stops on the way
Bird Watching
Bird rich Egypt lays on the migration route of tens of different
birds species, and offers numerous locations for bird
watching; among which is Aswan. From grey to purple
heron, moorhen to purple gallinule, and from cormorant
to glossy ibis, Aswan is a heaven on earth for any avid bird
watcher.
birds species, and offers numerous locations for bird
watching; among which is Aswan. From grey to purple
heron, moorhen to purple gallinule, and from cormorant
to glossy ibis, Aswan is a heaven on earth for any avid bird
watcher.
Aswan Botanical Gardens
To the west of Elephantine is the Aswan Botanical Gardens, still often referred to by its old name, Kitchener’s Island. The garden may have lost some of its former glory,but its majestic palm trees are still a stunning sight, particularly just before sunset when the light is softer and the scent of sandalwood floats on the breeze. The island is most easily seen as part of a felucca tour. Location: Take a motor boat from any destination. It is advisable to negotiate a round trip motor boat in advance. Fees: LE 20 for adults and students.
Aswan Cultural Center
Every night Nubian dancers and musicians perform in the Cultural Center, just off the Corniche. Folklore troupes recreates scenes from village life and perform the famous Nubian mock stick-fight dances.
Kubbet El Hawa
Located on the Nile’s west bank atop one of the highest hills overlooking Aswan, it is pretty difficult not to notice Kubbet El Hawa. Locals have it that a reverend hermit spent most of his life worshiping God there. He died a long time ago but his site of worship makes up for a fantastic photograph of the whole city and the beautiful Nile.Location: By motor boat. Fees: LE 35 for adults and LE 20 for students.
Aswan Museum
The museum was originally the house of Sir William Willcocks, architect of the old Aswan Dam. Built in 1898 and became a museum in 1912, with a new extension added in the 1990s. The museum houses a collection of antiquities discovered in Aswan and Nubia. The annex displays a collection of weapons, pottery, utensils and statues dating back to different eras, which were found in the excavations on Elephantine. Location`; southern end of Elephantine Island. Fees: LE 30 adults, LE 15 students.
Nubia Museum
It is highly recommended to spend one afternoon at such a unique museum, which introduces you to the history of Nubia or nwbt, which means the Land of Gold in ancient Egyptian Language. You can take a taxi or a calech from your hotel. You can use your camera inside as long as you do not use the flash.Fees for the museum is LE 50 for adults and LE 25 for students.