Aswan
Aswan is located about 850 km south of Cairo and is one
of the most beautiful winter resorts in Egypt, because
of it's dry and mild climate. Although bustling activites
dominate in the narrow alleys of Aswan, especially around
the bazaar which is about 3km long, the city gleams with
calmness and relaxation for visitors. Aswan with it's
estimated 150,000 inhabitants is also very important for
the economy of the ountry.The Aswan High Dam, with it's
length of about 4km and a height of 111 metres regulates
irrigation demand and electricity for almost the whole
country.
Elephantine
Island
This island was one of the strongest forts along Egypt's
southern border. It's chief deity was "Khnum",
in the shape of a ram's head, as the creator of humankind
and god of the cataracts. Near to the museum, which is
located east of the remains of an ancient settlement and
houses a number of important relics from the Graeco-Roman
era, is the Nilometer, dating back to the Roman period,
showing the height of the Nile floods in Greek, Demotic
and Arabic inscriptions.
The
Unfinished Obelisk
This huge unfinished obelisk measures 41 metres in length
and would have weighed 1680 tons when finished. It is
important, because it shows the techniques adopted by
the ancient Egyptians in cutting out these obelisks of
granite rock.
The
Monastery of St. Simeon
Dating back to the 6th century AD, the monastery can be
reached by foot or by camel. Inside the monastery the
remains of a roofless basilica comprises well preserved
frescoes.
It is 2 km long and about 51 metres high. The new high
dam was built between 1960 - 1971 in co-operation with
the former Soviet Union. The High Dam is 111 metres high,
about 4 km long and 40 metres wide at the top. At the
base it reaches a width of 980 metres. The dammed Nasser
Lake is 550 km long, taking it well into Sudan and creating
Lake Nasser, the world's third largest artificial lake.
Shopping
possibilities in Aswan
One can buy spices at a favourable price at the spice
market. mallow and tamarisk blossoms are also offered
for tea preparation. Galabeyas, jewellery and other goods
can be bought.
It comprises a courtyard, a hypostylehall and a kiosk
with multicoloured texts and inscriptions, as well as
scenes of the king on the battlefield.
The
Temple of Kalabasha
Dating back to the Roman Emperor Octavius Augustus (30
BC - 14 AD), the temple was moved from it's original site
55 km south of Aswan, on the west bank and rebuilt 1 km
to the south of the High Dam. The temple was dedictaed
to a local god called Mandulis.
