Aswan

Aswan City, Egypt, is located on the eastern bank of the Nile River about 950 km south of Cairo.

Aswan considered one of the most critical countries in Egypt, where it is located at the first cataract of the Nile, almost a thousand kilometers from Cairo.

Aswan in ancient times known as Taseti, and in ancient times, the city of Aswan received the name Syene, which refers to the place of trade. Aswan also known as the ancient city of Sent, derived from the deity with the same name. In old times, Aswan was the port of arrival for all kinds of merch, from Gold to ivory, wood, and spices. It is an ancient city famous for its tranquility and natural beauty, where you can see the purity of the Nile River.

Aswan City, Egypt, is located on the eastern bank of the Nile River about 950 km south of Cairo. Aswan is considered one of the most critical countries in Egypt, where it is located at the first cataract of the Nile, almost a thousand kilometers from Cairo.

Aswan in ancient times was known as Taseti, and in ancient times, the city of Aswan received the name Syene, which refers to the place of trade. Aswan is also known as the ancient city of Sent, derived from the deity with the same name. In old times, Aswan was the port of arrival for all kinds of merch, from Gold to ivory, wood, and spices. It is an ancient city famous for its tranquility and natural beauty, where you can see the purity of the Nile River.

• The temple of Abu Simbel

Abu Simbel Temples redefines the definition of words like Glory. It was miraculously built by Ramses II (1279–1213 BC) during Egypt’s New Kingdom era to immortalize his legacy, honor his wife Nefertari, and protect his legacy from being forgotten. He started building it in the year 1264 BC until 1244 BC. On the western bank of the nile river west of aswan , was carved into the mountain to show the strength and culture of Egypt to the neighbors to the south or anyone who wanted to attack the borders of Egypt.

The temple consists of two temples; the first temple is the great temple of Pharaoh Ramses the Great for the honor of gods like Amun, Ptah, and Ra-Hor-Akhty and as the commemoration of his victory in the battle of Kadesh in the year 1274 before Christ. The temple is 30 meters high and 35 meters long; it contains four colossal statues in the sitting position on the façade representing the pharaoh Ramses the second; they are 20 meters high. Inside the temple, three consecutive rooms extend 56 meters to the end of the temple where there are four statues; a statue for each god, decorated with figures of Ramses the second, images and scenes with the gods and his victory in the battle of Kadesh.

• The Elephantine Island   

is considered one of the critical islands in the world. That is in the first Cataract of the Nile River, which receives its name from its form of construction built like an Elephant tusk. And it received great importance during the pharaonic years.

Elephantine Island is located in the waters of the nile river just at the height of the first cataract and, therefore, the city of aswan it is the largest of the islands in the area. Its strategic location earned it great importance during the pharaonic years and until well into the Hellenistic period since it delimits a natural border that served as a location for the guardians of the routes to the south of Egypt.

Elephantine was the capital of Nome I of Upper Egypt and therefore had its triad of deities from the local pantheon. The gods worshiped there were a khnum State, and Anuket, and numerous temples were built in their honor, some of which remain today.

The origins of Elephantine Island go back to the predynastic years, as evidenced by numerous objects found from that time. Historically, he provided an excellent position for those who wanted a defensive space that was difficult to access. The southern part of the island was even a fortified area for most of the time.

In addition to the historical and archaeological wealth that awaits in Elephantine, the natural charm of its landscapes is something anyone who undertakes a trip to Egypt cannot miss. The feluccas cross the Nile, the desert and the vegetation, the dreamy sunsets: everything invites you to visit it and explore among its ruins while also looking around.

- Philae temple 

It is considered one of the most famous temples in Egypt in the south of Aswan and is known as the pearl of the Nile on the banks of the Nile River, which is dedicated to the goddess Isis.

Philae Island is a significant island in Aswan According to legends, it was considered one of the burial places of the god Osiris, which is why it was a sacred island by the Egyptians and Nubians. Philae Island was a temple complex 8 km south of Aswan, and these temples were built during the Ptolemaic and Roman periods. The Temple of Isis at Philae is one of the prominent sanctuaries of the goddess Isis in Egypt and is the main Temple on the Island.

The Temples of the Philae Complex were built over three centuries. The construction of the Philae temple began under the reign of one of the last pharaohs of the pharaonic era, Nectanebo I (dynasty XXX). Later, under Greek rule, most buildings were added, including the great Temple of Isis. In the 2nd century, it was considered a pilgrimage destination.

In the 6th century, the temples were closed by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I. Some of the buildings were used by Christians until the arrival of the Arabs in the 7th century. In the 19th century, Philae Island was submerged after the construction of the Aswan Lower Dam. In the seventies, the Island sank during the construction of the High Dam, so it was moved to a higher island.

The mythology of the Temple; According to legend, when Osiris married the goddess Isis, his brother Set murdered Osiris and cut him to pieces. So Set distributed the parts of Osiris’s body throughout Egypt. The wife, Isis, picked up her husband’s body and brought her back to life. Isis then took the Isle of Philae as a refuge from Set.

- the unfinished obelisk                                   

 It was built by Queen Hatchepsut and is located north of Aswan. This obelisk is considered the longest of all the obelisks in the ancient world.

The construction of the obelisks began in the New Kingdom. Even though they were built before, they were small. The exact time of its construction is unknown. Still, it is believed that the Unfinished Obelisk was constructed during the reign of Queen Hatshepsut (wife of King Tuthmosis II) of the 18th dynasty, who ruled Egypt from 1490 to 1468 BC. C. The Obelisk was built to partner with the later Obelisk of the Temple of Karnak (30 m high and 350 tons), which was moved to the Lateran Palace in Rome. Separating the Obelisk from the quarry bedrock caused cracks in the rock, which is why it was abandoned without finishing its construction.

How to make an Egyptian obelisk?

The Unfinished Obelisk helps the Egyptians discover the techniques of building an obelisk, working in stone, and cutting huge blocks. The ancient Egyptians used the tools in the form of wooden wedges, which were driven into rectangular openings made in the rock, and after the wedges were immersed in water, they were swollen and used to cut the blocks.

• High Dam  

In 1889 construction began on the first Aswan High Dam, the Aswan Low Dam, and the Lower Dam was completed in 1902. The Lower Dam was 54 m high, and later its height was increased in two phases; from 1907 to 1912 (size was increased by 5 m) and from 1929 to 1933 (height was increased by 9 m). In 1946 the Lower Dam was about to overflow, so they decided to build another dam 8 km upriver. In 1952 the construction of the new dam, “Aswan High Dam,” began during the time of President Gamal Abd El-Nasser.

Nasser first requested financial assistance from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and technical assistance from the United States and Great Britain. In the beginning, the United States offered a loan of 270 million dollars, but it was withdrawn until mid-1956. In 1958 the Soviet Union (at the height of the cold war) offered a loan of 1,120 million dollars at 2% interest. Construction lasted eleven years and was completed in 1970.

What to do in Aswan ?

1- Shopping in Aswan: Aswan is an excellent place to shop. We recommend walking through the streets of the souk, which, despite the proliferation of stalls with electronic and contemporary products, still has many booths with artisanal and traditional products: textiles, spices, antiques, indigo powder, saffron, and henna, among a multitude of souvenirs and souvenirs (papyrus, hats, embroidery, etc.).

2- Felucca Tours in Aswan: Of the most exciting rides that are worthwhile in Aswan, it is the felucca on the Nile River that is done at sunset, enjoying the breeze from the river, a fantastic navigation experience around Elephantine Island and a visit to the famous Aswan Botanical Garden.

3- Camel ride in the Nubian village: You can enjoy your stay in Aswan to the fullest through a camel ride that will be an unforgettable and different experience.