On the south side of Egypt, there is a city called Aswan. This is the capital of Aswan Governorate. The city has a dam named Aswan Dam. This city is actually a tourist center and busy market that is located on the north of the dam and on the Nile’s east bang. We should know 5 Fun Facts of Aswan Egypt.
What’s fantastic about Aswan is that it is one of three Nile’s tourist cities. The other two tourist cities close to the Nile are Cairo and Luxor. Aswan was a military base and also the ancient link to many parts of Africa. Another name given to the city was Swenett. There are so many more unique facts about it.
5 Fun Facts of Aswan Egypt to Learn Before Tour
Aswan has so many unique and fun facts you need to know, especially if you are looking forward to visiting the city and some other cities in Egypt. Egypt is actually not only about the pyramids. There are many amazing things to learn about every single city of the country.
Each country has amazing facts you better know. Those facts will help you see what you should do when you are already in the city. Below are all facts you hope you know before flying to Aswan and exploring the wonderful city in Egypt.
1. Aswan has five amazing temples
Though Aswan is a smaller city compared to Cairo and Luxor that are much busier, this city was the ancient corridor of Egypt to Africa. The city may have less population and smaller size than two other bigger cities. But this one has many ancient temples that are spectacular.
You can explore those ancient temples easily by setting up your base in the middle of Aswan. Before flying to Aswan and choosing the best place to stay, you need to learn about the five ancient temples and their location so you’ll be able to find them all easily.
· Philae Temple
Aswan’s first ancient temple can be found on Agilkia Island. Philae Temple was devoted to a goddess known as Isis. Ancient Egyptians also worshiped Horus and Osiris in this temple. This amazing temple was built somewhere between 332 and 30 BC during the Ptolemaic period.
What’s fun about Philae Temple is that this temple was used as a church by the Christians. You will find wall carvings that depict the Coptic crosses. Philae itself is a rocky island that is located in the middle of the Nile River.
· Abu Simbel Temple
Two colossal rocks that shaped two huge structures created an amazing view on Lake Nesser’s western banks. This Abu Simbel Temple was carved out from the rocky mountain under Ramses II’s rule in 13 BC.
Outside the temple, there is Ramesses II’s grand statue. Between the statue’s legs sit Nefertari, the beautiful wife of Ramesses II, and the king’s royal family. The inscriptions and wall carvings narrate the queens’ and kings’ lives.
· Kom Ombo and Edfu
This Aswan ancient temple was divided into two different complexes and was dedicated to two different gods. The first one is for the god who has a crocodile head known as Sobek. This god gives fertility to the Nile bank that is rich.
The second complex was dedicated to a god with a falcon head known as Horus. This temple is located at least 60 km or 37 miles on the north side of Aswan. Horus’s biggest temple is the Edfu that is also the evidence of the Ptolemaic Kingdom from 237 to 57 BC.
· Khnum Temple at Esna
Another ancient temple you are about to see is dedicated to the Greco Roman god known as Khnum. This temple is located at Esna, an Egyptian village. There are some other gods in this temple, such as Heka and Neith.
· Kalabsha Temple and Nait El Wali Temple
This ancient Kalabsha Temple was built and dedicated to Sun God of the Lower Nubian. This temple was also the Ptolemaic period’s specimen. It has an eight column hall that is amazing. You can see beautiful motifs and inscriptions on the temple’s wall.
When you are planning to visit Aswan, you need to put some or even all of the temples above on your destination list. Check out the mighty temples from the old times by visiting the temples and seeing the inscriptions by yourself.
2. Pyramids born from this city
What does it mean? One unique fact you need to know is that Aswan was the place where people can granite. Most of the monuments and shrines in Egypt are made of powerful stones that were procured in Aswan. Pyramids of Giza that are so famous are still standing today.
In fact, the pyramids of Giza were built by using the stones from Aswan. That’s why Aswan is considered as the mother for all monuments and shrines in Egypt. Since you are going to visit those amazing pyramids around Egypt, you’ll want to visit the city where those pyramids came from.
3. Egypt festivals are held in Aswan
Those interested in enjoying the incredible Solar Festival should visit Aswan on 22nd February and October. The festivals will be held at Abu Simbel Temple and Philae Temple. Those temples are another monumental wonder not only because of their architecture but also for the restoration.
The Solar Festival will only be held twice a year in Aswan. Save the date and make sure to book the right tour to Aswan that is going to let you see the glorious Solar Festival in order to honor Isis, one of the Egyptian gods and goddesses.
4. Explore the Unfinished Obelisk
The famous Unfinished Obelisk is also located in Aswan. This site attracts so many people and shows them insight into the architecture method that was used in ancient Egypt. This Unfinished Obelisk is lying in the red granite rock mountain that is 42 meter long and has three sides you can see.
5. The awesome Aswan Dam
Aswan Dam was constructed in 1960 and was completed ten years later. When it was constructed, over 90,000 Nubians were relocated from that area to a new area about 28 miles or 45 km from the dam location.
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Those are just a few facts about the Aswan City of Egypt. If you are interested in discovering more facts about the city, you need to book your trip to Egypt with exodustravel.net and figure out the other facts while visiting the sites.
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