TOURISM of EGYPT

There are many sides of tourism in this land of

sharp contrasts. Egypt has a unique position in the history of civilizations. The remains of this 7000 years old civilization, especially since the time of pharaohs, are still in spectacular condition.

To a famous Greek historian and traveller like

Herodotus, journeying through the East in the 5th century BC, Egypt was the grand civilization par excellence. The civilization of Egypt has since kept its mystery and unrivalled grandeur high above any other civilization. Herodotus mentioned Egypt also as 'the gift of the Nile' in his writings. The spirit of Nile is still alive. A visit to Egypt would not be complete without a memorable cruise along the Nile. As you gently cruise along the Nile you will see the local way of life and have the opportunity to visit the Valley of Kings and Queens.

Egypt lures fascinated travellers to its great sites such as the monumental
Pyramids, the Sphinx and archaeological sites dating back to the dawn of civilization. The Abu Simbel temples, found south of Aswan, have been remarkably rescued and preserved and are an awesome site to behold. You should see also the colossal temples of Luxor.

There are numerous museums spread throughout the country. The most
famous of them is the Egyptian Museum in Cairo which holds the rich treasures of King Tutankhamen.

THE OASES of EGYPT

The oasis, a depression in the desert comprising springs, wells and trees, reflects the
beauty, charm and diversity of nature; its surrounding desert ... green valleys ... water wells ... high plateaus ... therapeutic sulphur-rich springs.

In Egypt, there are not a few oases in the Western Desert. The most signifant are
Fayyum, Kharga, Dakhla, Paris, Farafrah, Bahereya, Siwa and the Qattara Depression.

The oases are famed for their numerous mineral and sulphur-rich
springs, distinguished by their unique chemical composition which places them at the highest level world-wide. In addition, the silt contained in these wells has numerous curative properties for the treatment of bone, stomach, chest and skin ailments. Most of the wells are found in the Fayyum, Kharga, Dakhla, Farafrah, Bahereya and Siwa oases as well as in the Qattara Depression.

The network of roads linking the oases has attracted the cross-country
tourist to drive from Cairo to Bahereya and from there to Farafrah and then Dakhla, onwards to Kharga and Assyut and back to Cairo, all the while enjoying the beautiful scenery for which the oases are famed.

CHRISTIAN MONUMENTS in EGYPT

Egypt, the cradle of civilization from the time immemorial, has been blessed with an
excellent climate that made it the center of attraction.

It was to Egypt that St.Mark, the first Evangelist, came and settled in Alexandria in the
latter half of the first century AD. Since then , the teachings of Christianity spread in Egypt, leaving everlasting imprints in the form of churches and monasteries that are filled with paintings of the saints, testifying to the grandeur, beauty and mastery of Egyptian Coptic art.

The Coptic period is of special significance, since it constituted a link between the
Graeco-Roman and Islamic periods.

With the dawn of the 7th century AD, Islam was revealed and spread throughout the
Arabian Peninsula, and from there, it radiated to enlighten the Nile Valley at the hands of Amr Ibn Al-Aas in 20 H., 640 AD.

Egypt, as its wont, has preserved, on its affluent land, relics immortalizing the days
under the banner of Islam. The Islamic monuments, indeed, are expressive of the skill of the artist and the grandeur of the age.

Thus, Christian and Islamic monuments, on the one hand, and Ancient Egyptian
relics, on the other, are found everywhere in Egypt. Is seems inconceivable to find a square meter that does not have some great relic.

A tourist can never hope that a mere visit or two to Egypt should be enough for him to
enjoy the excellent year-round climate and the immortal monuments.

AL-MINYA
FIRST: THE PHARAONIC PERIOD
BENI HASSAN AL-SHURRUQ

The site lies on the Eastern Bank of the Nile, 20km south of the city of Al-Minya. Houses 390 rock-cut tomb chapels decorated with scenes depicting local and regional life during the Middle Kingdom. It also hosts the Temple of Hatshepsut in an area popularly called Istabl' Antar (Stables of Antar). TELL EL-AMARNA

The New city built by Akhnaten and dedicated to the god Aton. There Akhnaten lived, with his wife and daughters, in isolation devoting himself to the monotheistic religion he advocated. Parts of the temples, palaces and noble tombs still stand despite attempts by Hur Muheb to destroy the monuments after the King's death. Nearby lies the region of Al-Haj Qandil containing similiar tombs. AL-SHEIKH IBADAH (MALLAWI) There is the Temple of Ramses II built in honor of the local deity (Thoth), known as the God of Wisdom and Knowledge.

SECOND: THE GRAECO-ROMAN PERIOD

AL-ASHMUNAYN AND TUNAH AL-GABAL

Al-Ashmunayn was the capital city at that time and was called Hermopolis. Contains the ruins of the Greek city where you can see several columns of the Basilica similiar to the Acropolis in Greece. In Tunah Al-Gabal many corridors and galleries were discovered containing millions of embalmed ibis and baboons, held sacred by the god Thoth. There is also the Tomb-chapel of Petosiris, the High Priest. The mural paintings depict a blend of Pharaonic and Greek art.

THIRD: THE COPTIC PERIOD

Deir al-Adra (Monastery of the Virgin) stands on the Gabal AlTayr (Mountain of the Birds), Markaz Samalut. There is an old church built by Empress Helena in 328 on the site where the Virgin, Christ and Joseph, the Carpenter, stayed during their journey to Egypt.

FOURTH: THE ISLAMIC PERIOD

AL-BAHNASA (MARKAZ BENI MAZAR) Contains numerous monuments dating back to the Islamic Conquest of Egypt. The story of the conquest indicates the strong alliance between the Copts of Egypt and the Arabs in the struggle against Roman oppression.

AL-SHEIKH 'IBADAH (MALLAWI)

Contains important monuments dedicated to the renowned Muslim warrior Ibadah Ibn Al Samet (Ibadah son of the Silent).

HOW TO REACH AL-MINYA

By daily airconditioned trains, scheduled at regular hours. By private vehicles, taxis and tourist buses.

For information and reservation contact the Upper Egypt Bus Company which organizes excursions to Al-Minya. Tel: 908635

ASSYUT
Assyut Governorate lies 373 km south of Cairo.
THE MOST IMPORTANT HISTORICAL SITES

Tombs of the Governors west of Assyut, the most famous of which are the tombs of Kheti und Zafa Habi. The Meir region - northern part of the Governorate - is 18 km from the city of Al-Qusiyyah. Deir Rifeh, south of Assyut. Deir Al-Gabrawi. o Stands at the edge of the Eastern Desert near the city of Manfalout.

Houses more than 100 tombs, the most important of which are Aba and Gawa. Deir Al-Muharraq. o The site lies near Al_qusiyyah and dates back to the 4th century. o It contains the earliest Egyptian Church, the Church of Al-Adra (the Virgin) with a magnificent painting of the Virgin and Child. The monastery was built on a site traditionally visited by the Holy Family during their flight to Egypt.
o

HOW TO REACH ASSYUT

By daily airconditioned trains, scheduled at regular hours. By private vehicles, taxis and tourist buses. The Upper Egypt Bus Company organizes excursions to Assyut.

SUHAG
Suhag lies 470 km from Cairo.
ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT HISTORICAL SITES
ABYDOS

Situated on the West Bank of the Nile, 12 km southeast of Al-Ballyana, it was the chief center for worshipping the god Osiris. It is famous for its cemeteries and tombs discovered in 1895, attributed to the kings of the first two dynasties.

OTHER IMPORTANT MONUMENTS

THE GREAT TEMPLE OF SETI I

The temple, commemorating Seti I, shows his various relationships with the gods and godesses. The Orion, behind the temple, is just symbolic since Seti I was buried in his famous tomb in the Valley of the Kings at Luxor.

The renowned Tablet of Abydos contains the names of Egypt's Kings, from Menes to Seti I. THE TEMPLE OF RAMSES II

Although little remains, the walls retain vivid and brightly coloured scenes. The temple also contains a full record of the renowned Battle of Kadish. Suhag hosts a significant number of monasteries and churches dating back to the early Christian period. The most important of these are:

Deir Amba Shenudah (Monastery of St Shenute) known as Deir Al-AByad (White Monastery), housing a 5th century church. Deir Amba Bishoy (Monastery of St. Bishoi) or Deir Al-Ahmar to the northwest of Deir Al Abyad, housing its ancient church.

HOW TO REACH SUHAG

By daily airconditioned trains, scheduled at regular hours. By private vehicles, taxis and tourist buses. The Upper Egypt Bus Company organizes excursions to Suhag.