ASWAN ATTRACTIONS

ASWAN ATTRACTIONS. The visually stunning City of Aswan has been the geographical location in Egypt throughout its long History and has also been the Gateway to Africa. In the Ancient History the Nubians competed with the Egyptian Phaorohs for the Terratory but Aswan remained the natural Border. The City of Aswan progresses not only as a po;itical boundary but also flourished as a Trading Post. In the Egyptian Colonial Era Aswan was grounds for Anglo Egyptian Forces heading South to calm the unrest which was going on in Sudan. Today Aswan is a very popular destination for Tourist , because of its beautiful weather and very calm and peaceful atmosphere. Aswan sits on the Magical River nile and has the most fantastic scenery which lies along the Nile.The Nubian Culture is also very strong in Aswan, with their very colourful buildings and homes, and the Nubians are very friendly and welcoming people. Aswan also boasts some of the best Souqs in Egypt, from fragrant perfumes with baskets overflowing with so many different aromatic spices, plus clothes and jewelery for you to purchase. PHILEA TEMPLE. Philea Temple is one of the most picturesque Temples in Egyp. The Temple was built to honor the Goddess Isis. Originally built on the Island of Suhail in the middle of the Nile. But due to the flooding from the High Dam the Temple was moved to Aglika Island to save the ruins of the sunken Nubia. The Island consists of a group of Temples with the most prominent being The Temples of Hathor, Horus and Amenhotep and was built by King Nakhentenbu. In May 1968 there was a Global call to save the Temples. After the completion of the rescue operation of the Philea Temple and within the Global appeal of UNESCO Egypt held an official celebration on March 10th 1980 for the success of the completion of the mission. ABU SIMBEL TEMPLES The amazing Abu Simbel Temples which are south along the Banks of Lake Nasser were built by Ramesses II. The Temples which are dedicated to the Gods Amun, Ptah and Re-Harakily have six Colossal Statues on the façade. Four of the Statues show Ramesess and two show his wife Nefertari. One of the great victories of Egypt was the saving of the Temples of Ramesses II after being moved to the top of the mountain away from the flooding. The Huge Temple was cut into parts and lifted by giant cranes and and tractors which carried them to the new site, and became an engineering and architectural Miracle. The Abu Smibel Temples have 2 sun Festivals a Year one on the 22nd Februrary and the other on the 22nd October when Tourists from all over the World come to witness the illumination of King Ramesses face when the Sun rises. UNFINISHED OBELISK The Unfinished Obelisk which lies in the Quarry of Aswan was ordered to be built by Queen Hatshepsut to be placed in the Karnak Temples. Using many building techniques one of which was to spread the Obelisk from the bedrock make small cavities in the rock, filled with wood chips. The chips were then soaked in water making it expand causing the Obelisk to detach from the base. Had it been finished it would have weighed 1,200 Tonnes and stood approx.. 140 feet in Height. Carved from the Red Granite which was used for many Monument. Unfortunately the Obelisk started to show cracks so was abandoned and lefy in the Quarry to this day.