 | Aswan Off the Beaten Path | Tips 21 - 30 of 39 |  |
Popular Off the Beaten Path | Miscellaneous Off the Beaten Path Tips | All Tips (39) TEMPLE OF ABU SIMBEL is sensational! It lies about 175 miles from Aswan after the Egyptian government undertook a major reconstruction (in association with UNESCO) in 1968 & moved the two speos of Ramesses II & Nefertari to the current site. The gigantic rock was cut into sections, dismantled & then reconstructed on the summit of the Libyan mountains which overlooks the Nile River.
If you are hardpressed for time, take a flight there. This is one sight you shouldn't miss! I think it's even more impressive than the Pyramids of Giza! Leave a Comment
|
 | |  |  | San Simeon Interiors | Tip Rating:    |  |  | |  |
The 7th Century structure was actually built rather late in the early Christian period, as for a very long time Aswan as a refuge for those who worshiped the ancient Egyptian Gods. By 550AD, Justinian sent missionaries and troops to occupy Aswan, and for a long time the existing Egyptian ruins served as church facilities. But, the needs of the monastic orders is quite different from the services conducted by ancient priests, so naturally there arose a need for a remote and punishing place like San Simeon. Eventually though the Muslim forces invaded the area and drove the monks out. Considerable destruction of the Monestary must have occurred as this area was during the 19th century a part of the region subject the jihadist oriented insurrection of Muhammad Ahmad against the Ottoman-Egyptian and British rule. It was after all not that far south at island citadel of Khartoum that Lord Gordon, for whom the brand of gin is named, had his head severed by the Madhi. The interior arch ceilings remain in places, showing the rock and mud construction, the Roman/Byzantine arch construction, and the monastic room lay-out. In places, faint colors and sketchy figures of Mary and the twelve disciplines can still be seen by careful inspection. Leave a Comment
|
 | |  |
| | | | Meet the friendly people of Aswan | Tip Rating: | | | | |
While clearly on the beaten path, Aswan does not suffer from the suffocating commercialism that characterizes Luxor (and to a certain point, Cairo). I met some of the friendliest Egyptians here, whom I had a wonderful time chatting with and getting to know more about their charming town.
The best places to linger around and meet locals would be Midan al-Mahatta, the park across the train station, and the areas surrounding the souk. Best time would be about 7-8 pm when these places seem packed with ordinary folks enjoying an evening stroll. I've been offered loads of peanuts and countless warnings about Luxor. Yes, they, too loath Luxor for its vulgar ways in treating tourists as money machines - which, for them, was a source of shame as Egyptians/Arabs. Having been to Luxor, I cannot agree more with them. Leave a Comment
|
There are a lot of Mosques in Aswan. One of them you may see on my pic. I don’t know its name. I think it isn’t old but quite modern. It’s situated close to the Nubian Cemetery.
|
... is located on the Elephantine island. you can get there by feluccas. It is beautiful park, plenty of different plants and tropical trees. Leave a Comment
|
| | | | The High Dam & Soviet-Egyptian Memorial | | | | | |
As the older British-built Aswan Dam proved insufficient in fully controlling the waters of the Nile, Egypt decided to embark on a much larger project. After the refusal of the US and the UK to provide financing, Egypt turned to the Soviet Union. Between 1964 and 1972, the massive High Dam was built with Soviet aid and proved most successful in containing the river. A modern lotus-shaped monument was erected to commemorate Soviet cooperation. The construction of the High Dam had many consequences. The positives were plenty and included controlling the river, of course, and providing an enormous resevoir of water to be directed to other parts of Egypt. In addition, the dam was a great source of hydro-electric power. On the flip side, the halt of the flooding of the Nile downstream meant a gradual deterioriation of the fertile lands that made Egyptian agriculture what it is, thus farmers have had to turn to chemical fertilisers to improve the soil which in turn has led to environmental issues. Furthermore, the creation of the Lake Nasser resulted in the inundation of an area rich in archeological treasures. Fortunately, with international cooperation, many Ancient Egyptian temples, such as Kalabsha and Abu Simbel, were relocated to drier lands.
|
| | |
Built around 1900 during the British occupation of Egypt, the Aswan Dam was the largest of its kind at the time. It was meant to regulate the waters of the Nile, but proved insufficient for the task. In fact, its height was twice increased, yet it was clear that another larger dam was needed. Thus, in the 1960s the High Dam was created further upstream and the result was a lake formed between the two dams. This lake contains the ruins of Philae which had to be moved from the original island of Philae in order to save them from flooding. The motorway from Aswan to its airport and to Abu Simbel crosses over the Aswan Dam.
|
More Sponsored Links for Aswan |
 |
 |
Search Hotels
Find the best room rates |
|
 |
|
on June 10, 2003
on April 29, 2006
on May 23, 2006
on June 30, 2007
on October 7, 2007
on August 23, 2003
on May 8, 2003
on March 16, 2008
