Highlights in Aswan
Aswan, Egypt's sunniest southern city and ancient frontier town, has a distinctively African atmosphere. Small enough to walk' around and graced with the most beautiful setting on the Nile, the pace of life is slow and relaxing. Days can be spent strolling up and down the broad Corniche watching the sailboats or sitting in a floating restaurant, listening to Nubian music and eating freshly-caught fish.
Here the Nile is most beautiful, flowing through amber desert and granite rocks, round emerald islands covered in palm groves and tropical plants. Explore the souk, full of the scent and color of spices, perfumes, scarves and baskets; view the spectacular sunsets while having tea on the terrace of a hotel. Aswan has been a favorite winter resort since the beginning of the nineteenth century and it's still a perfect place to get away from it all.
Elephantine Island: One of the strongest forts along Egypt's
southern borders, this island lies opposite to the "Cataract Hotel". Its
chief deity was "Khnum", in the shape of a ram's head.
The Island Temples: Here lay ruins of several stone temples from various
periods. The
inscriptions on the pylon of a hall in the southern temple depict Alexander
II as king of Egypt while offering sacrifices to the local deities.
The
Nubian
Museum: Located east of the old city, the museum houses a number
of important relics from Graeco-Roman times, collected from Aswan and Nubia.
The
Nilometre: Dating to the Roman period, the Nilometre shows the
height of the Nile floods in Greek, Demotic and Arabic, and was used until
very recently.
The
Gilika Island: This island now houses the Temple and relics of
Philae island that was submerged by the waters of the High Dam. The Temple
of Philae was dismantled and re-assembled on this island which lies about
500 meters from the original Philae Island. The Sound and Light Spectacle is
performed here in various languages.
The
Unfinished Obelisk: This huge unfinished obelisk measures 41
meters in length and 4 meters square at the base. It is important because it
shows the techniques adopted by the Ancient Egyptians in cutting out these
obelisks.
Amun Village: On the west bank, and overlooking Lake Nasser, the 48-acre village comprises a tourist hotel, with a main restaurant and an Italian restaurant, a fully-equipped therapeutic center, and 352 bungalows (chalets) built on Nubian architectural lines.
The Philae Temple: This temple was dedicated to the goddess Isis. It was over flooded by the Nile and was dismantled and reassembled at a new site on Agilika island, about 500km from its former site.
The
Temple of Kalabsha: Dating back to the Roman Emperor Octavius
Augustus (30 BC-14 AD), the temple was moved from its original site 55 kms
south of Aswan, on the west bank, and rebuilt near the High Dam. It is one
of the largest sandstone temples in Nubia. Its walls are covered with texts
and inscriptions depicting ancient Egyptian deities such as Isis, Osiris and others.
Beit el-Waly Temple: This rock-hewn temple is one of the five temples built by Ramses II in Nubia. It comprises a courtyard, a hypostyle hail, and a kiosk, with multi-colored texts and inscriptions, as well as scenes of the King in the battlefield.
The
Aswan Dam: Built in 1902 AD south of Aswan, it signaled the
beginning of modern irrigation in Egypt.
The High Dam: This 20th century engineering miracle is
one of the largest dams in the world, and was built to safeguard Egypt
against the high Nile floods which either destroyed large tracts of land or
ran wastefully into the Mediterranean. The dam, 111 meters above sea-level,
is 3,600 meters long and 40 meters wide at the top.
The Temple of Kom-Ombo: Located in the town of Kom-Ombo, 45 kms north of Aswan, the Temple, dating to the Ptolemies, is built on a high dune overlooking the Nile. There are also tombs from the Old Kingdom in the vicinity of Kom-Ombo village.
The Temple of Edfu: This huge and exquisite Temple, from the Ptolemic period, was built for the ancient god, Horus. It is located at the town of Edfu, 123 kms north of Aswan.
West Bank Sites
The
Agha Khan Mausoleum: The Mausoleum of the late leader of the
Ismaili sect stands on the west bank opposite them Cataract Hotel. It is an
exquisite example of Fatimid architecture.
Plantation Island : Lies mid-stream, near Elephantine Island, is a natural exhibition of equatorial and tropical trees and shrubs.
Tombs of the Nobles: These rock-tombs are hewn in the western hills, opposite the northern tip of Aswan, and date back to the 23rd century B.C. The inscriptions covering The walls of these tombs depict the role of these nobles in protecting the land, and of their journeys to the interior of Africa.
The Monastery of St Simeon (Deir Amba Sama'an): Dating back to the 6th century AD, the Monastery is one of the most intact Coptic monasteries, It comprises a church with paintings showing Christ and the Saints.
The Great Temple of Abu Simbel: Built by Ramses II, it is distinguished by its main facade with four colossal statues of Ramses II.
Sound & Light Show at Abu Simble Temple
three daily shows held in various languages.
For more information contact K.T. Travel at