The
city of Aswan, which marks the southern
boundary of ancient Egypt, and was
then known as Syene. With its distinctive
African atmosphere, it is one of the
most beautiful places in the country
with the town on the east bank and
the desert right next to the Nile
on the west bank. Small enough to
explore on foot, the pace of life
is slow and relax. The souks, or markets
are full of the smell and color of
spices, perfumes and other Egyptian
crafts.
LOCATION
Aswan is located in southern Egypt,
about 680 km south of Cairo, just
below the Aswan Dam and Lake Nasser.
HOW TO REACH
The train and airways are two good
options. Aswan has direct flights
and train service in Cairo.
The places of interest
Nubia Museum
Situated on a hilltop, the Nubia Museum
displays three thousand antiquities
which reflect the phases of development
of the Nubian culture and civilization
and influences during the geological
Pharaonic and Roman ages. The highlights
are the scenes from the life of Nubia
demonstrated with a range of life-size
poster. The door opened exhibition
includes 90 rare objects monumental.
The museum, spread over three floors
also houses a library and information
centre. The gardens surrounding function
of Antiquities, a watercourse which
represents the river Nile, a grotto
built with pre-historic wall sculptures,
and a house Nubian.
Unfinished Obelisks
The Unfinished Obelisk is located
in the north of the quarry. It was
found when a crack was discovered
when he was cut from the rock. The
unfinished obelisk, if it had been
completed, would have weighed more
than 2.3 million pounds.
Elephantile Island
One of the biggest islands, the island
Elephantile is also one of the oldest
sites in Egypt, with artifacts dating
to pre-dynastic periods. Even if most
objects are in ruins in this beautiful
island, there are many things to see.
Top among the list is the nilometer,
which was used to measure the water
level of the Nile until the end of
the 19th century. The Temple of Khnum,
another tourist attraction, was built
during the reign of Queen Hatshepsut
of the 18th dynasty. It is also a
small room Ptolemaic temple on the
island.
Mausoleum of the
Aga Khan
This is the Mausoleum of the spiritual
leader of Ismailis, a Shi 'ite sect.
Built at the end of 1950 's, the mausoleum
is a very elegant pink granite structure.
The mausoleum prides itself on having
an excellent view, including Aga Khan
's white villa below. The interior,
done in light colors and floors with
red carpet are impeccably maintained.
On Begum 's (his wife) instructions
a new red rose was placed on the sarcophagus
daily, which is composed of white
marble with Koranic texts carved in
relief.
Monastery of San
Simeon
Founded in the seventh century, the
monastery is dedicated to a fourth
century known as the monk Anba Hatre.
The remains of the monastery is located
on the west bank. The massive walls
surrounding the building stone are
the basis of brick and mud at the
summit. Along the walls there are
a few towers collapsed. There is a
small church, and while inside the
basilica is collapsed, icons and paintings
are still visible. The walls are painted
pictures spirit of the apostles and
angels, bright colors have a distinctly
Byzantine style.
Aswan High Dam
The Aswan High Dam, is a large structure
located on the river Nile, just south
of the city. As one of the great engineering
feats of the late 20th century, the
Aswan High Dam, is a big draw for
the Egyptians and foreign tourists
alike.
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