Siwa Oasis

Siwa Oasis Where is Siwa Oasis Located ? Best Time to go to Siwa Oasis Proper Dressing for Women in Siwa Places to visit in Siwa Oasis • The Shali • Cleopatra’s Spring • The Salt Lakes • The Temple of the Oracle • Mountain of the Dead • Fatnas Island • The Great Sand Sea • Siwa House Museum Siwa Oasis is one of the most beautiful Egyptian Oases located in the Heart of the Desert, Palm and Olive Trees are spread through the Landscape and there are Hot Water Springs which flow from the ground that date back to Ancient Roman times. There are Pharaonic inscriptions which are found in the Temple of Edfu which reveals that the Oasis had exsisted since pre-dynastic times, which was before three thousand two hundred BC, and was called Penta, then changed to the Oasis of Jupiter Amon, this name continued on until the Ptolemaic Era when the Ptolemies named it Sentre meaning Skhet-Am which was given to it be the Pharaos and translates into The Land of Palms. The original inhabitants of the Oasis belonged to the Amazigh African Tribes , which inhabited North Africa and included approx.. thirty five thousand people. The Tribes had their own Traditions and Customs which they stuck to, until Muhammad Ali came along in the Modern Period and sent a Military Campaign to force Egyptian Control. Nestled in the great yellow sands you will find a beautiful Green Lake, however Siwa has more than just fabulous sceneries it has a Culture all of it’s own interestingly the Local People of Siwa actually speak their own Language, which is similar to the Language spoken by the Berber who are the Desert People from further West, than the Egyptian Arabic which is used in the rest of Egypt. Where is Siwa Oasis Located? Siwa Oasis is located approx.. three hundred and fifty Miles from Cairo, which is East of the Libyan Border. Siwa Oasis is one of Egypt’s best Western Desert Oases with it’s thousands of Palm Trees and fabulous Hot Springs. It was completely isolated from the rest of the Country until the 1980s when a Highway was finally completed connecting it to the Coastal Town of Mersa Mahruh. Modern technologies such as television and phones were introduced quite recently and the Internet only within the past few Years. There are a flourishing number of Hotels which range from the budget Hostels through to a Five Star Eco – Lodge in the Oasis, and the Tourist Trade is now firmly ensconsed as part of the local economy, however this has not affected the core of the Life in Siwa. Even in the present Day Siwa is still a very conservative Community and Visitors are asked to respect their Local Culture values. Alcohol is banned and the Local Women are rarely seen outside of their Houses, however it is very welcoming to Visitors and the slow pace of the Siwan Life is very atmospheric, until 1926 the whole of the population of the Oasis lived in a thirteenth Century Mud-Brick Fortress at the Centre of the Town which was known as Shali, but unfortunately it was destroyed by a heavy three day Rain Storm. Best time to go to Siwa Oasis. The Weather in Siwa is mostly excellent and the Sun is always shining, although there are times in the Year in which it would be better to Visit than others. It is recommendex to visit Siwa in the cooler Months of the Year which ranges from October to April, as the temperatures in the Summer can become very hot. Proper Dressing for Women in Siwa. Even though Siwa is a very friendly place, Women should be aware of dressing appropriately in respect of the Local Culture. It is advisable to keep Upper Arms and Legs covered. Women who swim at any of the Public Springs for example the popular Cleopatra’s Bath can expect some extra attention. If you would prefer to avoid this attention , then swimming in the Desert Hot Springs is recommended. Places to Visit while in Siwa Oasis. Siwa Oasis which offers a variety of things to do, places to visit and great attractions is also one of the more mysterious of all of Egypt’sOases. The Shali Shali which is a Tourist attraction, and is a Place where Visitors can climb up the Melted Mound of Mud and Salt, which is the Traditional Siwan construction material so that they can catch a view of the dates and olive groves that expand out for miles in each direction of the Siwa Oasis. Cleopatra’s Spring. Cleopatra’s Spring which is also known as Cleopatra’s Pool or Cleopatra’s Bath is on the way to the Oracle Temple, Cleopatra’s Spring is a natural Spring Water Stone Pool where the Locals and Tourists can enjoy the benefits of a Spring Bath, in the Town of Siwa. Even though there is no evidence to back up the connection to the Pool of Queen Cleopatra VIII herself , the beauty of the Site of the Cleopatra’s Spring certainly does justice to the mysterious name. As it is one of the best natural Pools, many Locals in the Area Bath and visit the Pool regularly, however it is important to remember and respect the Local Customs and Female Tourists are advised to wear appropriate Swimwear to avoid unnecessary attention. The Salt Lakes. The Salt Lakes which are one of the most beautiful Sceneries in Siwa should not be missed, also the Waters which are fabulously clean and transparently green, the Salt Lakes attract many many people to Siwa all through the Year, the reason being also as it includes health benefits because of the high amounts of Salt, making Floating and Swimming in the Salt Lakes of Siwa you just cannot afford to miss. The Temple of the Oracle. Siwa was well known for the Temple of the Oracle which dates back from the Sixth Century BC and was renowned throughout the Meditteraenean World. Alexander the Great visited here to inquire after his fate and whether or not he was the 1 Son of Zeus, as his Mother had told him. Once he had consulted the Oracle Alexander requested that his Generals should bury him in Siwa when he passed. To this present Day the remains of the Temple of the Oracle are still open for Visitors. Mountain of the Dead. Close by to the Centre of Siwa you will find the Mountain of the Dead, which is a rocky hill, spread with more than one thousand five hundred Tombs, which dates back to the late Pharaonic Era. Some of the Tombs from the Greco – Roman Period are adorned with dazzling and ornate Funerary Drawings. The Tombs which are locked can be opened by the Local Guards with the payment of a Tip. Fatnas Island. Fatnas Island is another breathtaking place which is located on the outskirts of the Oasis on the shore of Lake Siwa, approx.. six kilometers from the Town Centre. The Hot Springs is one of the well known attractions of this amazing place, where you can Swim and enjoy the benefits of the Healing Waters as well as Cafes, and Restaurants, there is also the added enjoyment of being able to view the Lake at Sunset which is so very strking. The Great Sand Sea. The Siwa Oasis is nestled on the threshold of the Great Sand Sea, which are beautiful Sceneries of Sands that have formed Mountains and inclusions of an endless view of the Desert. There are Tours which are available with the Local Drivers and are recommende as the view just has to be seen. The Desert Safaris which are taken in a 4x4 will transport Visitors out for Day Trips or overnight and even longer expeditions to visit the amazing Springs and Rock Formations that are within this huge and truly magnificent Site, when you are in Siwa you really should take the opportunity of a Trip into the Desert. Siwa House Museum. If you are a lover of Art and History then the Siwa House Museum is a brilliant Place for you to Visit. Consisting of real artifacts of the Ancient Siwa Population, the Museum provides a close look at Ancient Siwan Traditions and Local Customs. Many of the Items in the exhibition depicts the Traditional Siwa Wedding which can last up to seven Days, where the Bride wore special outfits which can be viewd at the Siwa House Museum. Siwa really is a Culturally Special strikingly beautiful and relaxing place. From Cairo the journey takes approx.. eight Hours by Car, and longer by overnight Buses which run Daily from Cairo, it really is worth the effort once you are there.