Wonderful facts about the 6 most famous places in Aswan.
Aswan is located in the foot of the Nile River in the north of Nasser Lake. Aswan city has a natural beauty where you can enjoy the most beautiful views of the Nile River in Egypt ever passing in front of the unparalleled monuments dating back to different historical times such as ancient Egyptian, the Greco-Roman, Christian, Islamic, and modern history. So it is considered as an attractive tourist destination.
Aswan city has 5 islands are Philea or Elephantine, Seheil, Agilkia, Bigeh, Kitchener’s islands.
Explore Egypt Tours is pleased to present this article talking about Aswan city during modern history. This article is the third one in a series of articles about tourist places that worth a visit to Aswan.
1 – High Dam in Aswan
The establishment of the High Dam is one of the Egyptian achievements in the 20th century.
What is the history of the High Dam?
It was constructed during President Gamal Abdel Nasser’s period in 1960, finished in 1971, and the reservoir behind it named Nasser Lake finished filling in 1979. The dam is over 111 meters tall and 12,500 feet across.
The construction of this High Dam and the filling of Nasser Lake with water led to flood many places in Aswan, displaced over 100,000 Nubian, and transfer the ancient historical buildings such as Abu Simbel Temples, Philae Temple, the Temple of Calabsha, and the Temple of Dandara by the Egyptian Government and UNESCO in Nubian Rescue Campaign.
Despite this, the High Dam has advantages such as saving freshwater behind it, safeguarded Egypt from the threat of flooding, generating hydro-electric power, and increasing the cultivable land.
It is exciting to visit the High Dam during your tour in Aswan to see impressive views.Egypt is well-known for one of the greatest engineering feats: the Aswan Dam. The larger and more contemporary of the two dams constructed on the Nile, it features small waterfall sequences at its peak. The dam is a significant architectural and historical accomplishment for the history of the nation.The nearby city of Aswan, which is roughly 17 kilometers away, is where the Dam gets its name.
Aside from the older Giza pyramids, one of Egypt’s most well-known architectural achievements is the Aswan High Dam. When it was constructed, the Nile River’s flooding could be controlled, fortifying the earlier barriers.
Following the Nasser revolution, in 1952, work on the massive dam began.
2 – Nasser Lake
Nasser Lake is located on the southern border of Egypt. It was built during the construction of the High Dam in the 60s.
What is the importance of Nasser Lake?
- It is considered the largest lake human-made for reserving freshwater.
- It contains immense numbers of fishes used commercially, whereas the size of the lake allows many kinds of fish to live in the Nile River to grow to extraordinary sizes.
- It is the only place in Egypt now where you can see the Nile crocodile that was held behind the dam.
Nasser Lake overlooks many monuments so you can take a boat to enjoy these wonderful views of the Nile and visit these historical buildings at the same time.
3 – Mausoleum of the Aga Khan
Mausoleum of the Aga Khan is located on a hill on the west bank of the Nile River. The design of this mausoleum was influenced by Fatimid architecture.
What is the history of the Mausoleum of the Aga Khan?
Mohammed Shah Ahga Khan (the spiritual leader of the Ismailis Sect in India) founded this mausoleum in 1950. The Aga Khan was buried in this sanctuary after his death. Mausoleum of the Aga Khan was opening for the public, but after 1997 the begum (wife of the Aga Khan) decided to prevent the visiting the mausoleum to the public for allowing the deceased to rest in peace.
This Mausoleum attracts many pilgrims who believe in the Ismailis Sect now. Nevertheless, Mausoleum of the Aga Khan is worth to visit for seeing the beauty of this place overlooking the Nile River.
4 – Nubian Museum
What is the history of Nubian Museum?
The construction of Nubian Museum and National Museum of Egyptian Civilization were a part of the UNESCO project in Egypt during the Nubian Rescue Campaign. This museum was opened in 1997.
What can be seen in Nubian Museum?
The museum designed to be looked like the Nubian villages. The museum campus includes gardens displaying more than eighty historical statues and rocks. Besides, there is a theatre holding Nubian dances.
The museum exhibits the Nubian history from the prehistoric period to modern history.
The masterpieces objects displayed in the museum are a skeleton dating back to the prehistoric period, crowns and jewelry made of silver, and anthropology exhibition displaying customs and traditions of the Nubian community.
5 – Botanical Garden
Botanical Garden is located in Kitchener’s Island (one of the five islands in Aswan). This garden distinguishes with rare and exotic plants were planted by Kitchener.
Who is Kitchener?
Lord Horatio Kitchener was a consul general of Egypt during British control. He was a passion for horticulture, so the island has gifted to him in 1899 and it is called on his name. Later the Egyptian government reclaimed and maintained this island.
You can visit the Aswan Botanical Garden by hiring a boat or felucca.
6 – The Nubian Village
The Nubian Village is located on Elephantine Island. When you visit this village, you will fascinate with the decoration and color of Nubian houses, know the Nubian history, culture, customs, and traditions. Nubians are known as one of the most welcoming communities in Egypt. Nubian Village is worth to visit.
What can activities be done in Nubian village?
- You can take a cup of tea or coffee and eat Nubian traditional food.
- You will enjoy hearing Nubian songs and music.
- Also, you can visit Aswan Museum to see the artifacts discovered during the drilling for building Aswan High Dam. These objects spanning from the ancient Egyptian history to the Coptic period.
- Finally, we advise you do not forget your camera whereas you will take amazing photos during walking among the colorful houses.
Nubian villages are located among lush palm groves and their houses are painted in blue, pink or yellow.
This village is located west of Suhail, but its inhabitants have been able to take advantage of the beautiful landscapes that surround them, as it has become one of the most popular villages where tourists from all over the world come.
, this amazing Nubian village tour allows you to meet and impact with a Nubian family and to learn about their simple lifestyle, culture and traditions.
Enjoy day tours offered by Explore Egypt Tours to see the natural beauty of Aswan city where you can enjoy the most beautiful views of the Nile River in Egypt ever passing in front of the unparalleled monuments dating back to different historical times.
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