|
|
|
|
After a comprehensive visit to any other Egyptian city, there is nothing more relaxing
than a tour in Aswan. Aswan is blessed with natural beauty and sceneries, yet, you
have to pay some visits to the Pharaohs. A felucca trip down the Nile in Aswan would
give you a chance to relieve your eyes by looking at spectacular sceneries. Your
visits in Aswan should include:
|
|
|
|
|
Philae Island: It is one of the highlights of any visit to Aswan. This island
was reconstructed and reshaped to form the exact shape of the sunken Philae Island.
So what is known to the world under the name of Philae Island is actually called
the Agilika Island. The Philae Temple Complex which is now placed on the new Philae
Island is famous for its various temples and sanctuaries dedicated to the goddess
Isis and her husband Osiris. In the evening, the temple complex is a vision of utter
beauty, as the sound and light show explains the story of the buildings, by flooding
them with light that reflects on the water. The following is what you will see on
the island:
|
|
|
|
Vestibule of Nectanebos I: Located at the entrance of the island. This temple
was built in the 30th dynasty and has an architectural styling
that dates back to the 3rd dynasty. Some architectural styling of
this monument date to the 3rd Dynasty. There are two rows of pillars forming a walkway
to the first pylon of the Temple of Isis.
|
|
|
|
Temple of Hathor: The Temple was built by Euergetes II in honor of Hathor-Aphrodite;
the temple's vestibule was added by Augustus. The vestibule's
columns are decorated by images that hold a musical theme with
pictures of flute players, harpists, monkeys playing the lyre and Bes with tambourine
and harp. The best preserved part of the structure is the main
temple chamber, on the front of which are two plant columns
linked to the walls by screens.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Temple of the Emperor Hadrian: The temple features several images of Osiris
as well as other gods with the emperor Hadrian.
|
|
|
|
Trajan's Kiosk: It is a stunning structure and the most important on the
Island. The Kiosk includes 14 massive plant columns capitals
that were intended to be surmounted by the ancient Egyptian instrument sistrum capitals. The inside includes images of Trajan making offerings to
the Gods Osiris, Isis and Horus.
|
|
|
|
Birth House: The Birth House is surrounded by colonnades and was the place
where the rites of god- kings were performed. Within the House in
the innermost chamber are images of Horus as a falcon, Horus
being suckled by his mother Isis and Horus hidden in the marshes.
|
|
|
|
First Pylon: The pylon consists of 2 towers; the eastern tower portrays traditional
poses of Pharaoh smiting the enemies of Egypt whilst being watched
by Hathor and Horus. On the western tower, the same images are
shown but with Osiris, Isis and Hariesis watching instead.
|
|
|
|
Second Pylon: The Second Pylon is 32m wide and 40ft/12m high. The reliefs
on the central doorway are by Euergetes II. The second pylon
can be climbed by a staircase on the north side of the west tower,
from the top of which it is possible to cross the central doorway to the east tower.
|
|
|
|
Elephantine Island: It was once the original border town between Egypt and
the Nubian Lands. The island also was the centre for the cult of Khnum (ram-headed
god). On the island you can see:
|
|
|
|
Nilometer: It is one of the 3 meters on the Nile that used to measure the
water level since the Roman times until late 19th century.
|
|
|
|
Elephantine Museum: Built in the Mohamed Ali era, the museum itself is considered
a monument. It includes Egyptian antiquities such as statues,
ornaments, ceramics and fabrics as well as the mummified ram
of khnum.
|
|
|
|
New Kalabsha Island: The Island has undergone major reconstructions in order
to make it an open air museum. On the Island you can see:
|
|
|
|
Kalabsha Temple: The temple is considered the most imposing monument in Nubia
after the rock temple of Abu Simbel. It was built in the time
of Augustus on the site of an earlier temple founded by Amenophis
II and refounded by one of the Ptolemies. The temple was dedicated to the god Mandulig,
but Osiris and Isis were also worshiped here. After the coming
of Christianity it was converted into a church.
|
|
|
|
Beit el Wali: It is a rock temple located to the northwest of the Kalabsha
Temple. The Temple was built by Ramses II and consists of vestibule,
a transverse chamber and the sanctuary.
|
|
|
|
Unfinished Obelisk: A huge obelisk, 41 m high was uncompleted by ancient
Egyptian miners due to a structural flaw that occurred during the quarrying process.
If the obelisk was completed it would have been the world's longest standing obelisk.
The importance of the obelisk lies in the information it presented us with about
ancient Egyptians quarrying methods.
|
|
|
|
Tombs of the Nobles: Those are tombs built on the west mountain to the north
of Aswan. The tombs are arrayed in 2 levels; the first is for the old kingdom's
nobles while the second is for the middle kingdom's nobles. On the inside of the
tombs you would find text pointing out the owner's careers as well as images of
their everyday lives.
|
|
|
|
Kitchener's Island: Located on Aswan's west bank, this Island was given to
Lord Horatio Kitchener, the former British consul general of Egypt. Lord Kitchener
turned this island into a botanical Paradise full of beautiful flowers, unusual
plants and shady trees where lots of exotic birds like to rest.
|
|
|
|
Mausoleum of Agha Khan: Agha Khan was the 48th leader of the Isamili sect
of Islam. Agha Khan was in love with Aswan and that is why he chose to build his
tomb there. His tomb features the Fatimid architecture and is built out of red granite.
|
|
|
|
High Dam: Built in the 1960s, the dam was considered a miracle and a great
engineering achievement that protected Egypt from floods as well as providing the
country with electricity and irrigation all year round. Behind the dam you would
find Lake Nasser which is one of the world's largest artificial lakes.
|
|
|
|
Nubian Museum: The museum was constructed in order to preserve the Nubian
culture and monuments. The Museum is nestled into the hillside covering 50,000 square
meters of landscaped gardens and buildings. The museum is partly and open-air museum
that is divided into different sections. You can easily wander around the prehistoric
cave, painted rock-art, ancient Egyptian statues, obelisks and columns.
|
|
|