Tell Basta Museum launches ’The Journey of the Holy Family’ exhibition

The Holy Family came to Egypt to flee the oppression of King Herod, who persecuted Christianity, and wanted to kill Christ and his mother, the Virgin Mary, so she ran away carrying her child and took this holy and arduous journey full of pain and trouble until she arrived in Egypt, where they spent around three years.

The places they stayed in have now been transformed to churches and monasteries.

The official website of the Coptic Orthodox Church stated that the journey started from Palestine, to Egypt through the hills and deserts, and not through any of the three recognized roads at the time - because they were fleeing from King Herod, until they reached the borders of Egypt in their first stop.

The first paths of the Holy Family came in the city of Al-Farma, during which the Holy Family walked from Bethlehem to Gaza to the Zaranik Protectorate, 37 km west of Al-Arish.

Then they entered Egypt via the northern side of Al- Farma city, located between the cities of El-Arish and Port Said.

Located in Al-Sharqiyah Governorate, Tell Basra museum was restored in 2017, and was inaugurated in 2018  to display more than 1,000 artifacts from the excavations of Al-Sharqiah Governorate, especially from Tell Basta.

The museum showcases the daily life of the governorate’s residents, in addition to their crafts, customs, traditions, and thought. 

Al-Sharqiyah Governorate is distinguished by its ancient history, where the city of Avaris [now known as Tel el-Dabaa], was founded on its land. Avaris was the capital during the Hyksos’ rule.

Additionally, the governorate is home to the city of Pi-Ramesses, built by King Ramses II and currently known as "Qantir". It was taken by King Ramses II as the seat of rule of Egypt.

The governorate also comprises San el-Haggar city, known as Tanis, Which was the capital of Egypt during the 22nd Dynasty, and Tel Fir’awn, which was the capital of the 19th Province of Al-Wajh Al-Bahri.

The Temple of Amun, the largest temple of the sea front Egyptian cities, is located in Al-Sharqiyah.