Being home to the richest ancient civilizations, Egypt boasts a plethora of touristic and historical attractions. When it comes to sightseeing, there is a lot to feast the eyes on, and a lot to learn. While the Pyramids of Giza and ancient temples in Luxor and Aswan get all the attention, there are several hidden gems in Egypt that will totally fascinate you. So let’s get off the beaten track and explore these secret wonders of Egypt.
Shali Fortress, Old Siwa
Around the 13th century, Shali Fortress has been built from a material known as karshif, the local soil which is made up of salt, clay, and fine sand. In ancient time, the fortress was made for the purpose of being a refuge for inhabitants from their enemies and any attacks. The fortress stood strong and tall for many years until heavy rain destroyed big part of it, and accordingly the inhabitant moved away. Remnants of this building exist till date creating the beauty of Shali Fortress.
Nilometer, Rhoda Island
Dating back to 861 AD, the Nilometer was built to measure the clarity of the Nile River’s water and accordingly predict whether famine or flood can be expected. Located in Rhoda Island in Cairo, the octagonal column that is the Nilometer was held in place by a wooden beam spanning the width of the well. It also has a staircase to which only priests, ancient rulers, and kings were allowed to go down to monitor and examine the behavior of the Nile River.
Djara Cave, Western Desert
The astounding cave with its rock artistry is hidden away in the Western desert near Farafra Oassis, and is known to have several carvings that date back to more than 12,000 years. The cave was first discovered in 1873 by the German explorer, Gerard Rohlfs. After the climate changed and inhabitants had left this area, the cave was forgotten until it was rediscovered again in 1989 by Carlo Bergmann, a desert explorer from Germany. The cave is entirely made of limestone satalctites as a result of the water reacting with the dry desert climate.
Colored Canyon, Nuweiba
Towering 40 meters high, the colored canyon is a delight for both hikers and those who love to explore new places alike. The beautiful maze-like canyon located in Nuweiba, is a beautiful painting of red, magenta, purple, and yellow. The canyon was formed as a result of the high iron content in the sandstone, water erosion, and wind creating this picturesque color spectrum.
Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, Alexandria
While tombs and temples are mostly known to be found in Luxor and Aswan, a real treasure dating back to the Hellenistic era is found in Alexandria. Dating back to the second century AD, the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa is the largest Roman necropolis holds several statues and other objects related to the Hellenistic area and the early Roman period in Egypt. Providing a detailed look into the time of Ancient Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks, this archaeological site was considered one of the seven wonders of the Middle Ages.
Comments
Leave a Comment