Nefertiti

Nefertiti

"Ruler of the Nile," "Daughter of Gods," and "Empress of the Mediterranean" or let us say Nefertiti; she was the female pharaoh who followed Hatshepsut and remained more controversial than her precedent. Nefertiti was the Queen of Egypt and co-ruled Egypt between 1379 and 1358 BC. She was the daughter of Ay (who would become Pharaoh after Tutankhamun's death) and the beloved wife of Pharaoh Akhenaten. Nefertiti and Akhenaten had six daughters but no sons. Her name literally means 'a beautiful woman has arrived'.

As a woman, Queen Nefertiti followed the tradition of being her husband's partner in life, and as much she supported Akhenaton in his religious mission. Akhenaton made a unique impression on Egypt's history, when he began to promote the worship of one god above all others - the 'sun-god' Re or Ra. The queen actively involved in her husband's restructuring policies, she is shown wearing kingly regalia, executing foreign prisoners. Both – Nefertiti and Akhenaton – were said to be very much in love and at times inseparable. Many pictures show the whole family in domestic scenes. She seemed to be a beloved wife and mother. King Akhenaton's love was noted as legendary - the following is a love letter/poem to his Queen Nefertiti:

"...The Heiress, Great in Favour, Lady of Grace, Sweet of Love, Mistress of the South and North, Fair of Face, Gay with two Plumes, Beloved of the Living Aten (the king), the Chief Wife of the King whom he Loves, Lady of the two Lands, Great of love, Nefertiti, Living Forever and Ever…"

Throughout the Eighteenth Dynasty royal women played a significant and visible role in state and religious affairs. Nefertiti continued this tradition by actively assisting her husband in his attempt to convert Egypt to monotheism; she was an enthusiastic supporter and a full partner in the process of spreading the new religion. No look at the life of Nefertiti would be complete without a review of this religious revolution. She was influential in establishing one of the world's first monotheistic religions. Moreover, Nefertiti was pictured killing the enemies of Egypt in a scene normally reserved for pharaohs and she was shown with her husband awarding gold to royal favorites at the Window of Appearance.

By Year 14 of Akhenaten's reign Nefertiti had disappeared from view yet there is no record of her death nor has her mummy or place of burial been found. This has led to considerable speculation as to what happened. Some have suggested that the royal couple had a falling out and Nefertiti was banished in disgrace to her palace, Aten's Castle. Others are quite convinced that Nefertiti changed her name to Smenkhkare, adopted the guise of a man and ruled as co-regent with her husband. The majority view is that Nefertiti died of natural causes (possibly the plague) as a great and honored queen.

Recreational tourism

Recreational tourism

Egypt has a wide range of beaches situated on the Mediterreanean and the Red Sea that extend to over 3,000 km.The Red sea has serene waters,colored coral reefs,rare fish and beautiful mountain.

The Akba Gulf beaches also provide facilities for practicing sea sports .

Safaga tops the Red Sea zone with its beautiful location on the Suez Gulf .

Last but not least,Sharm el-Sheikh,Hurghada,Dahab,Ras Sidr,Mars Alam,Safaga and the northern coast of the Mediterranean are major tourist's destinations of the recreational tourism.

El-Ain El-Sukhna

El-Ain El-Sukhna

Cairo's nearest beach ...just an hour away

EL-Ain EL-Sukhna: the Arabic for “ hot spring” was named after the nearby sulphur springs .It is also an ideal site for fishing and water sports.

Ain El Sukhna is about 140 km east of Cairo, just an houraway by car. It offers Cairenes and welcome, handy respite from the city's fast paced life .

The area is 40 km south of the port of Suez and is administratively part of the Suez Governorate. Its territory extends along the Red Sea shoreline for about 60 km from the southern borders of Ras El Adebbya in the north to Ras El Zaafarana in the south.

Close enough to Cairo for a day-trip; this popular weekend resort has fine beaches and coves, coral reefs, fishing and water sports.

This is not just a destination for people wanting a suntan and a week at the beach. It is also a place where you can indulge in history. There is ample evidence that the area had its place in history. It includes a famous group of the world's oldest monasteries west of Zafarana on the road to Kuraymat.

The most celebrated ones are those of St. Anthony (c. 251 -356), the founding father of monasticism, and St. Paul, which were built more than 16 centuries ago.

Rituals followed inside the monasteries today have hardly changed in hundreds of years.

A group of historians also believe the northern part of the Mount of Galala El Bahareya was the point from which Moses and the Israelites crossed in their exodus from Egypt's mainland into the Sinai Peninsula. They cite in their claims the fact that the bottom of the Gulf of Suez at this point is elevated.

As the main route to the Indies for Ancient Egyptians and Phoenicians, the Red Sea and its shores and ports also have a rich maritime history.

The area is known for its mild climate all year round. Temperatures range between a high of 32 degrees celsius and a low of 9 degrees in January and show a variation of between 36 degrees and 30 degrees in July .

The average rate of humidity is 50 percent. It ranges between a maximum of 72 percent and a minimum 48 percent in December and shows a variation between 58 percent in May .

Rainfall occurs largely in winter months.
The average number of days having rainfall is 11 days a year, with the rain season spanning the November- May period.
The average amount of rainfall stands at about 24 mm . Winds mainly blow from the north and the northwest gusting at an average.

Flora and Fauna paragon of wildlife.
In spite of the low amounts and frequencies of rainfall, the usual desert growth of perennials and grasses is found.

The Eastern Desert receives spares rainfall, which supports a varied vegetation that includes tamariskaccacia and markh ( a leafless, thorn less tree with bare branches and slendertwigs ) as well as great variety of thorny shrub, small succulent , and romantic herbs .

Date and doum palms,both cultivated and sub spontaneous are found in the Oasis.Desert animals include dorcas gazelle , the miniature desert fox , the mountain goat ibex , the Egyptian hare and two kinds of jerboa( a mouse- like rodent with long hind legs for jumping)the Egyptian jackal and still exists.

There are two carnivorous mammals: a spices of wildcats and the striped Egyptian mongoose.

Several varieties of lizards are found, including the large monitor. Because Egypt is rich in its bird life and many birds pass through in large numbers
On their spring and autumn migrations, the area has its good share of more than 200 migrating types as well a more than 150 resident birds.

Lammergeir and golden eagles are residents of the Eastern desert and Sinai. Resident desert birds are a distinct category, numbering about 24 kinds.

That exquisite corridor of tinted mountain and radiant water ...here and nowhere else is the vestibule between the Levant and the Topics ..." E.M.Forster describing the Gulf of Suez, 1923.

The area's topography bestows on it a special lure and charm. It lies in one of the three tires of the eastern desert -the Red Sea Hills and Red Sea Coastal plane.This tier runs from near Suez to the Sudanese border.

The Hills are not a continuous range but consist of sets of interlocking systems more or less alignment. They are geographical complex, with igneous and metamorphic rocks .
As such, it is regarded by Encyclopaedia Britannica as " a sub-region in itself . Ain El Sukhna is famed for two mountins that have religious significance: Attaqa, which rises more than 800 above sea leveland hems in the valleys (wadis ) of Hogouland Chuwaiba.

Galala El Bahareya , the southern periphery of the area , which rises to more than 1,200 m and embarces the valleys of Kuthaib ( 75sq,km), Abul-dorg (68.5sq,km)and smaller ones such as ElMalha and Gar El Malha.

These mountains and valleys constitute a main component in the area's attractiveness for tourists and local holiday-makers.

There are marks and signs showing that this area had its niche in the annals of history.The 4th century monasteries of St. Anthony the Great and St. Paul in the Eastern Desert, not far from Zafarana, are celebrated as the world's oldest.
A group of historians believe it was around this area on the Red Sea that Moses and Israelites crossed into the Sinai in their exodus from Egypt.
As the main route to the Indies for ancient Egyptians and Phoenicians, the Red Sea and its shores and ports have a rich maritime history.

The area could be reached by land through one of the following highways & roads:
- The Cairo - Suez Highway 110 km
- The Qattameya - Ein El Sukhna Highway 95 km
- The Kuramat - Zafaran Road 120 km
- The Hurgada - Zafarana Road 320 km
- The Suez - Ain El Sukhna Road 40 km

Dahab

Dahab

Dahab means gold in Arabic. It is said that this name was given by the Bedouins, who likened the shimmering sands to gold dust.

Dahab, located approximately 100km northwest of Sharm El-Sheikh, is still considered to be one of South Sinai's most treasured diving destinations swarmed by tourists.

It is famous for its golden beaches and deceptively deep diving sites, such as the Blue Hole, the Canyon and the Lighthouse.

The Ayyubid Era

The Ayyubid Era

Salah al-Din Al-Ayyubi (Saladin) assumed control of Egypt upon the death of the last Fatimid Caliph Al-Adid in 1171. Salah al-Din played a great role in establishing a Sunni state in Egypt by building a lot of Sunni schools (madrasas). Before his death, Salah al-Din divided his kingdom among his sons and brothers where Egypt was the share of his son Al-Aziz Othman

Abbasid Caliphate

Abbasid Caliphate

Faris witnessed the birth of the Abbasid Caliphate when the leader of the Abbasid armies Abu Muslim Al-Khurasani revolted against the Umayyads where the battle first took place near the Euphrates before it moved to Egypt when the armies of the Abbasids, under the leadership of Salih bin Ali, achieved victory over the Umayyads and the Umayyad Caliph Marwan II was killed in 750 A.D.

Then, after entering Egypt, the leader of the Abbasids Salih bin Ali established the capital of the Abbasids in Egypt called Al-Askar.

Despite the capture of Egypt, the Abbasid influence was not stable, a matter that encouraged one of the Turk leaders in the Abbasid army in Egypt Mohamed bin Tughj Al-Ikhshid to seize power.

Islamic Conquest of Egypt

Islamic Conquest of Egypt

In 640 A.D., Amr bin Al-As conquered Egypt and he besieged the Fortress of Babylon till the surrender of the Byzantine forces there in 641 A.D.

Then, he proceeded to Alexandria and by virtue of Babylon Agreement, Alexandria surrendered too and he continued his conquest of Egypt.

The Egyptian Civilization during the Islamic Era

The Egyptian Civilization during the Islamic Era

The Islamic era in Egypt was generally the golden age for arts and architecture. Examples of such revival can be seen in the building of several mosques, fortresses and city walls, in addition to the flourishing of decorative arts. These were most evident in the construction of al-Fustat, the first capital of Egypt, where Amr Ibn el-Aas built the first mosque in the country. The Nile meter on the island of Rodha in modern Cairo, built by Abbasid Caliph al-Mutawakel Billah in 245 AH, is known to be the oldest Islamic monument in Egypt.

Islamic architecture also flourished mainly in al-Qatay' city and Ahmed Ibn Touloon mosque which was built in the same style of Amr Ibn el-Aas mosque, with the addition of a fountain, minaret, props and the foundation sign board. The minaret of Ahmed Ibn Touloon mosque is known for its unique shape in Egypt derived from the Persian temples known as “Zigurat”.

The Fatimid period also witnessed the development of local Islamic architecture. Al-Azhar, al-Anwar and Al-Aqmar mosques are famous examples of Fatimid architecture in Egypt.

Al-Geoshi Mausoleum is a model for dome structures and mosques built around the tombs of eminent men of religion.

During the Ayyubid period, further advances were made in the field of architecture. Salah ed-Din's (Saladin's) Citadel still stands out as a lofty, striking example of Islamic architecture. The Mamelukes were no less advanced in this field. They also left behind a great wealth of finely designed and decorated mosques, domes, mystics' houses, palaces, schools, khans (inns), fortresses and public drinking fountains.

Egyptians under Islamic rule adopted the same techniques and styles of art and ornamentation prevailing in the preceding periods. Most notable arts of this period were wood engraving and ornamentation, assembled dove tailed and lathed wood work. Islamic style textiles, porcelain and stained glass were also widely known during this period.

The Egyptian Civilization under the Romans

The Egyptian Civilization under the Romans

In 30 BC, Egypt was conquered by the Romans and was therefore rendered merely a province in their empire. However, due to its unique geographical position, the fertility of her land and cultural and urban development, Egypt was regarded as the most precious property of the Roman Empire.

During this period, agriculture and industry, particularly, glass manufacturing, flourished in Egypt. Egypt was especially known for the creation of the art of glass blowing and monopoly of paper manufacturing as well as perfume, cosmetics and fine linen fabrics.

The Egyptian capital, Alexandria, was particularly the largest trading and industrial centre in the east Mediterranean and the second city of the Roman Empire.

Alexandria University maintained its position as a centre of scientific research and a seat of learning for scholars from all parts of the world, during the Roman era in Egypt.

Egypt in the Greek Era

Egypt in the Greek Era

Having beaten the Persians in Asia, Alexander the Great conquered Egypt in the year 332 BC and expelled them out of Egypt. Then, he crowned himself as a king in the Pharaonic style and founded a new capital for Egypt named after him as “Alexandria”. Then, he made pilgrimage to Amun's Temple in Siwa Oasis, which was world renowned at that time.

Egypt under the Ptolemies (323 BC-30 BC)

After Alexander's death, Egypt was ruled by his general, Ptolemy who founded the Ptolemic Dynasty that reigned from 323 BC to 30 BC. The Ptolemic rule remained strong only during the reign of the early kings. However, due to the weakness of the ensuing kings and the continuous revolts by the Egyptians, the Ptolemic Dynasty degenerated. Rome soon stepped in, putting an end to the Ptolemic rule during the reign of Cleopatra in 30 BC.

The Egyptian Civilization under the Ptolemies

Alexandria became the capital of the Ptolemic rule in Egypt, where stately palaces and gardens were built. Alexandria was well-known not only as a centre of outstanding achievements in arts, science, industry and trade but also as the prime sea harbor on the Mediterranean Sea, thanks to its well-known Lighthouse, considered by the Greeks as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Alexandria was further well-known for its University, which symbolized a great Hellenistic- Egyptian civilization.

Alexandria University

At Alexandria University, founded by the Ptolemies, scientists arrived at scientific facts concerning the earth's rotation around the sun and approximate circumference of the planet. The university was also famous for the study of medicine particularly anatomy and surgery. Most famous of the university scientists were the geometrician Euclides, the geographer Ptolemy and the Egyptian historian Maniton.

Library of Alexandria (Bibliotheca Alexandrina) and its Cultural Influence

The Ptolemies established in Alexandria a large library, which was considered the greatest in the world at that time. The Library contained more than 500,000 papyrus rolls. The Ptolemies ordered that each visiting scientist should donate to the city a copy of his works, thus bringing the number of books at Alexandria Library to more than 700,000. The Ptolemies showed respect for the Egyptian religion, offered sacrifices to Egyptian deities and built temples such as those of Edfu, Dandara and Philae in Aswan. The Ptolemies used to appear in official ceremonies in Pharaohs' apparel.

Egypt in the Pharaonic Era

Egypt in the Pharaonic Era

The Pharaonic Era dates back to 3000 years B.C. till Alexander the Great conquered Egypt in 323 B.C. During the Pharaonic Era, Egypt witnessed many aspects of progress and renaissance in all fields.

Historians divide the Pharaonic Era into three successive divisions: Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom and Modern Kingdom. The Pharaonic Era is thus divided into three dynasties as follows:

Ancient Age (Dynasties I & II)

In 3200 B.C. Menes managed to unify north and south of Egypt and he established the first ruling dynasty. To secure the unity of Egypt, Menes established the city of Memphis near Delta.

Old Kingdom (Dynasties from III to VI)

During the Old Kingdom, Egypt enjoyed stability, security and peace, a matter that achieved its economic, cultural and artistic progress in this time. The kings of the Old Kingdom ruled till 2800 B.C. after the throne of Egypt moved to Manf by Zoser, whose pyramid is the oldest known one at Saqqara. The Egyptian civilization flourished in this period, a matter represented in the building of the Giza Pyramids: Khufu (Cheops), Khafre (Chephren) and Menkaura (Mycerinus).

The First Middle Age (Dynasties from VII to X)

This age began in 2200 B.C. when Menthotpe II (Mentuhotep) managed to reunify the country.

The Middle Kingdom (Dynasties XI& XII)

After Menthotpe II, the Prince of Thebes, managed to reunify the country and founded a strong government, Egypt flourished economically. In 2000 B.C. Amenemhet I played a great role in the renaissance of the Middle Kingdom.

The kings and queens of Dynasty XII acquired fame all over the world in the fields of policy, war, culture civilization and religion such as Ahmos, hero of liberation, Amenhotep I who laid down fair standards for wages and incentives, Tuhutmos I, the warrior who expanded the Egyptian borders north and south, and spread out education everywhere, Tuhutmos III who possessed a unique military genius, Tuhutmos IV, the diplomat who was the first to record international agreements.

This is in addition to Akhenaton who was the first to call for the oneness of the Creator and Tut Ankh Amun, who gained fame in the modern time. The most famous queens of this time were Ahmos Nefertari, wife of Ahmos I, Tee, mother of Akhenaton, Nefertiti, wife of Akhenaton and Hatchepsut who ruled Egypt for 20 years.

The Second Middle Age (Dynasties XIII, XVII)

In 1725 B.C. the Hyksos attacked Egypt and occupied the Egyptian lands. Yet, the princes of Thebes, led by Ahmos I, managed to expel them out of Egypt.

The Modern Kingdom (Dynasties XVIII, XX)

After Ahmos expelled the Hyksos, he worked on establishing a well-equipped army. Ramsis II, one of the most famous kings of the Modern Kingdom, signed the first peace treaty in history with the Hittites.

The Late Age (Dynasties XXI to XXX)

From Dynasty XXI till Dynasty XVIII, the Assyrians and the Persians occupied Egypt, till the rule of the Pharaohs ended during the reign of Dynasty XXX when Alexander the Great conqured Egypt.

Arts of the Pharaonic Civilization
Architecture

Ancient Egyptians made outstanding achievements in architecture, as can be clearly seen from the everlasting monuments they have left behind. The first pyramid ever built in Egypt was Zoser's, then Midum's pyramid. However, the Giza pyramids together with the Sphinx, built during the 4th Dynasty, are the most famous of the 97 pyramids built to be tombs for Pharaohs.

During the period of the Middle Kingdom, many funerary temples were built. The 12th Dynasty kings were also interested in el-Fayyoum area where they attended to irrigation works.
The most famous of those temples was the Labyrinth Temple or the “Maze Palace” as called by the Greeks. The temple was built in Hawwara by King Amenemehet III, who also built castles, fortresses and walls along Egypt's eastern borders.

The period of the Middle Kingdom was the heyday of architectural arts, where exquisite inscriptions and fine artworks were engraved on the walls of colossal temples, the most prominent ones were Karnak, Luxor and Abu Simbel.

The era of Thutmose I was a turning point in using pyramids as tombs. On the west bank of the Nile at Luxor, there were carved-into-mountains tombs with rich and luxurious funerary furniture. This can be clearly seen in the tomb of Tutankhamun.

In order to keep wall inscriptions intact, the artists of the Modern kingdom deliberately used deep slightly embossed engravings, thus, avoiding distortion or erosion.

The most recently discovered tomb of the Valley of Kings was that of the sons of King Ramsis II; a vast tomb containing 15 mummies. Pharaonic obelisks were cut out of granite and erected in two-somes at the entrance of temples. Some of the most beautiful examples of architectural art in the ancient Egyptian empire are the temples of Amun, Cheops in Karnak and Luxor, Ramsium and Hetshep-sut at ad-Deir al-Bahari as well as the rock-embedded temples such as the major and minor temples of Abu Simbel.

New trends in the architectural, plastic and applied arts emerged as can be clearly seen in the sculptured colossal and minor statues and ornamented temple columns and mural inscriptions. This elevated style is evident in thousands of small statues made from alabaster, wood or ivory and pieces of antiquities made of glass and earthenware and jewelry inlaid with precious stones.

Literature

Ancient Egyptian monuments still bear witness to their excellent talent in writing and literature. Humanity is indebted to ancient Egyptians for inventing writing, later called by the Greeks the “hieroglyphic alphabet”; composed of 24 letters. Writings were made in black or red ink on papyrus. Egyptians excelled in religious writing which tackled their religious creeds and theories of the after life, secrets of the universe, various myths of gods, prayers and songs. The oldest examples of which were “The Pyramids Texts” and “The Book of the Dead”.

Ancient Egyptian writers were excellent story writers. They used words as a tool to convey wisdom and rules of good conduct. Ancient Egyptians were bent on narrating their heritage of wise sayings and proverbs, chanting them in their feasts and ceremonies. They pursued the tradition of documenting current events of their times. This rich cultural climate was instrumental in generating several Egyptian men of letters and philosophers who left masterpieces indicative of a high level of culture and thought in Egypt.

Music

Music and songs were a favorite object for all Egyptians. Music was used for educating young people as well as in public and private ceremonies, particularly in the army. It was equally used in prayers and the burial of the dead.

Egyptians from the Old Kingdom knew wind and stringed instruments such as the “harp” known at that time as “Tipoti”. They also invented many new types of percussion instruments which were further improved across their history.

Ornamentation

Ornaments, characterized by high artistic precision and beautiful form, were also known to ancient Egyptians. Decorative elements were derived from natural surroundings including papyrus, palm trees, lotus flowers and precious stones. Amulets, believed to protect them against evil spirits, were used. Women, in particular, paid special attention to their own make-up and toilet. They were accustomed to use Kohl (as eye-liner), bracelets, necklaces, rings and henna. Costumes in Pharaonic Egypt varied from one class to another. Clothes were made of soft linen or silk fabrics imported from ancient Syria (Phoenicia). Clothes differed according to the occasion.

http://www.sis.gov.eg

The Giza

The Giza area contains Egypt's most illustrious monuments: the Pyramids and great Sphinx. Only 12km from Cairo, it's a community where many employees in Cairo reside. At dusk, from the main roadway, the colossal structures jut out into the sky, appearing to tower over the village homes and shops. A reminder of the past, they are dark purple shadows of another distant era.

From Giza, you can choose to travel across the desert to see several rarely visited pyramids as well as the pyramids at Sakkara even further to the south.

Coptic Cairo

Coptic Cairo is only its modern name. "Coptic" is the name for the Christian's who reside almost solely in this area of town. To most, this is also known as Old Cairo. Islamic Cairo is home of the very oldest section of Cairo. It's near to Islamic Cairo in vicinity, but it has an entirely different atmosphere and sites. Inside its walled exterior, nestled within the 1st century AD Roman fortress of Babylon, is still standing as a barrier for intruders. The wall lined streets do, even more than those of Islamic Cairo, resemble an inescapable labyrinth. The compound and serene, so much so that many visitors tend to speak in soft whispers without knowing why. The main entrance first leads you to the petite Coptic Museum with tells of Coptic Cairo's history and the significance of the region's main attraction: the Hanging Church. Resting between two round Roman towers, against which the waters of the Nile once lapped before the river shifted westward centuries ago. Also within Coptic Cairo's walls are old monasteries, churches, and the famous synagogue Ben Ezra.

Islamic Cairo

Following the conquest of Egypt in 641 AD, the Muslims erected a city and named it Al-Fustat, after the ruling Dynasty at that time. Located on what is now the southern border of modern Cairo. Successive dynasties established their unique capitals expanding further and further to the Northeast, until present-day Cairo was finally
established. At that time, however, Cairo occupied very little land. It was a mere square with outer laying residences and large structures that attested to the successive rulers' wealth. Salah El-Din's colossal citadel called "Al-Qalaa", for example, was built on a rocky spur, now central to Islamic Cairo and a reminder of how powerful the early Dynasties had been. During the Mamluk era which lasted from 1250 to 1517, a wealth of Mosques, mausoleums and Islamic buildings were added to the city, making a walk through it, today, an enriching experience for history lovers, photographers, and sightseers. Islamic Cairo, in its current form is still home to the early buildings such as the city's oldest Mosque and University. While strolling through the maze of narrow and highly trafficked streets you will find yourself transported to an earlier time, a time when the city was still new. Old coffee shops still house men in traditional dress. They sip peppermint tea from clear glasses and blow smoke from their nostrils – seasoned smokers. They are from another area, and within Khan Al-Kalili market, the biggest in Cairo, El-Fishwai's and other coffee shops still echo revolutionary spirit of the early 1950's. Islamic Cairo is incomparable to any quarter in any other city. The history it holds and the mud-packed roads with vendors still selling nuts from push carts and spices in burlap bags is what many come to Egypt to see.

Memphis 1

Standing near present day Cairo, the ancient city of Memphis was the first capital of Egypt during the era of the Old Kingdom and most of the Pharaonic period. There are conflicting reports about who founded the city, officially, but the most popular version says that King Menes built the city during his rein in 3100 BC. King Menes, responsible for unifying Upper and Lower Egypt, chose this particular location in order to best control overland and river routes heading out in all possible directions, making it, as 5th century historian, Herodotus, describes as a "prosperous city and cosmopolitan centre."

Memphis is best visited from Sakkara, which was once at the city's center. Today the city is in ruins, almost completely vanished from history. Just traveling to where its strong walls once stood reminds us of the toils the city's population had to endure. Foreign invaders, from the Romans onwards, ravaged the city in attempt to overthrow it. The pillaging combined with the Nile's frequent floods, buried the torn town under mud and debris. Today, little of a semblance of the city is visible. It is buried under luscious palm groves and cultivated fields. All was not lost, however. Remnants of Memphis and some of its many artifacts can be seen in an open-air museum in the neighboring village of Mit Rahina. The most significant of pieces here is the limestone statue of Ramses II and the 80 ton sphinx of the 18th Dynasty.

What little has been discovered at Memphis is gathered together in a small open-air Museum in the village of Mit Rahina . The showpiece is a colossal limestone statue of Ramses II found in Memphis and replicated in Midan Ramses. In the garden there are more statues of Ramses II and an 18th Dynasty sphinx, at 80 tons the largest calcite statue ever found. The garden also contains several calcite slabs on which the sacred Apis bulls were mummified before being buried in nearby Saqqara.

Memphis

Khan el-Khalili