The oasis, a
depression in the desert comprising springs, wells and trees,
reflects the beauty, charm and diversity of nature; its surrounding
desert...green valleys...water wells...high plateaus...therapeutic
sulphur-rich springs. In Egypt there are plenty of oases in the
Western Desert. The most significant are Fayyum, Kharga, Dakhia,
Paris, Farafrah, Bahereya, Siwa and the Qattara Depression. The
Fayyum Oasis lies in depression, right in the Western Desert, about
103 km. south-west of Cairo. It is surrounded by high plateaus, and
separated from the Nile Valley by a high ridge to the east at al-Lahun.
The oasis is famed for its all-year-round pleasant climate and
beautiful scenery. There is evidence of pre-historic settlements as
well as Pharaonic, GreekRoman, Coptic, & Islamic monuments. Fayyum
boosts a combination of rural, coastal, desert, and urban
environments, and thus holds out great attractions to tourists. The
Hawara Pyramid (shown to the right) dating from (1991-1778 BC) can
be found here. The Oases provides a vast amount of tourist
attractions, below is a brief overview of some of the sites that you
can visit!
- The Oasis
- Tourist
Attractions
- Springs and
Wells
- Monuments
The Oasis:
Al-Wadi Al-Gadeed Oases :(The
New Valley Oases)
The New Valley Oases occupies some 67% of the Western Desert and
45.8% of the total area of Egypt. It lies 602 km. from Cairo and 232
km. from Assyut. It’s bordered by the Governorate of Matruh in the
north, Sudan in the south, Libya in the west, and theGovernorates of
Middle Egypt in the east. It includes the Kharga, Dakhla, Farafrah
and Paris oases with more than 99 monuments dating to different
ages. The area enjoys
a mixture of the desert environment, green plains, wells, and
sulphur-rich springs, both cold and hot. In one spring, the water
temperature reaches 43 C and is suitable for the treatment of
rheumatic and digestive ailments, colds and allergies.The oases are
famed for their dry climate most of the year, and humidity never
exceeds 9.5%. Warm, sunny winters allow them to be an international
health spa.
Dakhla Oasis;
Dakhla (capital Mut) is the second provincial capital of the
Governorate and lies 200km. north-west of Kharga. Midway is the
Zayyan resthouse. Dakhla contains several wells, the most important
of which are: The Mut Wells in which the temperature reaches 43 C.
One well is 1224 meters deep. It has a round swimming pool and
tourist resthouses with complete facilities.The pharonic wells of
Ayn al-Qasr in which water temperature reaches 45 C.
Kharga Oasis:
Capital of the New Valley Governorate, it lies 232 km. south of
Assyut. It is characterized by its numerous monuments, springs and
tourist sites such as the ponds of fish in Bulaq Village.
Paris Oasis: (Temple
of Dush)
Located 90 km. south of Kharga, it houses the Roman Temple of Dush
dedicated to the God Serapis. There is also a mud-brick Turkish
fortress, an ancient church and some pottery dating to the Coptic
period.
Farafrah Oasis:
About 320 km. northwest of Dakhla and 170 km. north of Bahereya
Oasis, it is suitable for car tours and safaris by means of the
circular road connecting it with Dakhla and Bahereya. There are
remains of roman buildings, including Qasr al-Farafrah, built of
mud-brick, and Qasr Abu Minqar.
Siwa Oasis:
About 306 km. south west of Marsa Matruh and 627 km from Cairo, this
oasis is renowned for its beautiful scenery, thick groves of palm
and olive trees, water springs, and the surrounding mountains. It
has a steady climate, chilly in the winter, hot in the summer and
moderate in spring and autumn.
Greek
and Roman Monuments: There
are the ruins of towns and palaces such as Ancient Karanis, Kum
al-Tel, Dimieh Al-Sibah, Qasr Qarun, Ahubit and many more.
Coptic and Islamic Monuments: There
are monasteries and mosques such as Deir al-Gharb, Marie Girgis,
Qantarah of Al-Lahun, inlaid with ivory, and the Suspended Mosque. Natural
Springs: There
are numerous water springs in the area. The most famous is
Al-Siliyin. Its subterranean waters flow from several crevices into
a main canal. Other springs are: Al-Sha'ir, Biahmu and Al-MAndarah.
Water Wheels: Fayyum
boasts of 200 water wheels that are used to irrigate the land (shown
to the right ).
Other
tourist attractions:
- Pharaonic
Monuments
- Lake Qarun
- The
Artificial Forest
Springs and Wells:
The Bulaq Wells: The
water temperature reaches 39 C here. It has a resthouse with
complete facilities.
The Nasser Tourist Wells: Is
south of Kharga, this well has a camping site. All the wells are
suitable for the treatment of rheumatic ailments.
Other Springs and Wells:
- The Bulaq
Wells
- Jenah Well
Monuments:
Hibis Temple: The
Hibis Temple dates back to the 26th Dynasty. It's dedicated to the
Holy Triad (Amun Ra'-Mut-Khonsu).
Cemetery Of Al- Bagawat: The
cemetery of Al-Bagawat contains 263 tombs in the pattern of The
cemetery of Al-Bagawat contains 263 tombs in the pattern of The
cemetery of Al-Bagawat contains 263 tombs in the pattern of domed
chambers. In the center is a church dating back to the 11th century
A.D. It is regarded as one of the oldest churches in Egypt. The
Temple Of Al-Ghuwaytah (shown to the right) is dedicated to the
Triad and dates back to the 27th Dynasty,
Temple
of Al-ghuwaytah: Dedicated
to the Triad ( Amun, Mut and Khonsu ), dates back to the 27th Dyn.,
and was completed by the Ptolemeis. Dedicated to the Triad ( Amun,
Mut and Khonsu ), dates back to the 27th Dyn., and was completed by
the Ptolemeis. Dedicated to the Triad ( Amun, Mut and Khonsu ),
dates back to the 27th Dyn., and was completed by the Ptolemeis.
- Al-Zayyan
Temple
- Al-Deir
- Mut
- Bashendi
- Al-Mizawaka
Tombs
- Balat
Village (Islamic)
- Balat
Village (Pharaonic)
- Temple of
Deir Al-Hagar
- Al-Qasr
Village (Islamic)
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