When you want to spread out along the banks of the Nile then having a relaxation moment in Aswan is the way to go. The tranquil interlude that the town provides when you have arrived from the busier Luxor or Cairo makes this a destination that is immiscible. It caters for all tastes ranging from the historic attractions such as the imposing Abu Simbel Temples to the Egyptian Cultural Practices and stunning landscapes (Below are Things to Do in Aswan)
The Temple of Abu Simbel
The temple of Abu Simbel is one of the most admired ancient man-made monuments in Aswan. The complex has two temples which include the great temple and the small temple that were both created during the reign of Ramesses II. The temple was deemed to be holy to Egyptian goddess Hathor that making its location sacred. The gods of ancient Egypt Ptah, Amun Ra, Ra-Haroti, and defied Ramesses II were dedicated to the Great Temple in Abu Simbel, while the beautiful goddess Hathor and Queen Nefertari were dedicated to the small temple in Abu Simbel. These evocative ruins are closed at the moment for renovation purposes.
Explore the Ancient Temple of Philae
The ancient Temple of Philae is where the Egyptian god Horus is revered. Main temple in Philae Island was dedicated to his mother the goddess Isis, now relocated to higher island after the old dam of Aswan was built, and the half temple was covered by the water, although the temple was erected during the Ptolemaic period, multiple ruins that are inscribed with the names of ancient pharaohs like Ramses II, it displays the different periods in Egypt’s history and civilization.
A trip to Aswan High Dam
The Aswan High Dam is the most controversial projects in the recent history since it destroyed many traditional Nubian villages and temples. The dam is succeeded to stop the flood of the Nile that provided highly fertile soil for farmers. The high dam is situated in the south of Aswan city, was built in 1961 to protect Egypt from the flood. During your tour of Aswan will discover the Nasser’s lake which became the largest artificial lake in the world. The environmental connotations, historical, political relationships that the dam provides make it a place for one to make a trip to Aswan.
The Elephantine Island in Aswan
The elephantine island located in the middle of the Nile is a must thing place to see that you can’t miss to tour. It’s deemed to be the largest Aswan archipelago that traces the ancient history of Egypt. The island had a big fort that made it excellent as a defensive place for Aswan city and a natural cargo transfer point during the Nile river trade. The island has a museum that houses the mummified ram of Khnum who was the earliest deities displayed. The museum also showcased the artefacts that are dated back to the pre-dynastic times. The granite step pyramid which is a small shrine and third dynasty is the oldest ruin that stands on the island. The island is known to have a rare calendar i.e. The Elephantine Calendar which is one of the oldest nilometers in Egypt.
