Famous Sites

Paris Attractions

kamel.atyia@gmail.com (secblog) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:49:00 +0000

Rodin Museum

Auguste Rodin (1840-1917) lived in 18th century and worked in hôtel particulier, nowadays the Rodin Museum, and his carvings populate the inside and gardens. Indoors, The Kiss depicts eternal rage frozen in white marble, while The Hand of God presents life to honey white, half-formed patterns. Works of Rodin's schoolmarm and student, Camille Claudel, and paintings by Van Gogh, Monet, Renoir and Rodin himself are as well on showing. The gardens are decorated by the important bronze The Thinker, whose devotional physique counterpoints aggressively with the decrepitude of the writhing forms of The Gates of Hell and the debatable final portraiture of Balzac, once identified as ‘a block that degrades its author and French Art.

Basilica of The The Sacred Heart

A long, great serials of steps take to the snowy white domed Sacré Coeur that overtops the arty dominion of Montmartre. A hodgepodge of modes, the Catholic Christian church was constructed between 1870 and 1919, to accomplish a vow made during the Franco Prussian warfare. The interior is amazing with neo-Byzantine photomosaic and the elliptical tower offers a proud view over Paris. The crypt holds an interesting collection of religious souvenirs and a skid show on the building of the Basilica. Under the church, a park falls down the hillside in a fuss of benches that make an complete position for pursuing the city skyline.

Orsay Museum

The museum's home, an imposingly convinced railway station by the banks of the Seine River, is stunning, but the real posture of this wide museum lies in its collection of Impressionistic and Post-Impressionist art. The assembling, covering the decisive 1848-1914 time period, is placed chronologically, starting on the land floor, jumping to the third, and then downward to the center level. Among the most known works are Manet's Déjeuner sur l'Herbe (Luncheon on the Grass), eliminated from the Salon of 1863, 5 of Monet's paintings of "Rouen Cathedral" and the realist work L'Origine du Monde (The Origin of the World), by Gustave Courbet, whose graphic portrayal of the feminine feel continues to impact.

Louvre Museum

The Louvre start opened to the populace in 1793, following the French Revolution, as a display case for the art appreciates of the kings of France. The museum is prepared into three extensions on four floors. The great eternal collection takes Egyptian, Greek, Etruscan, East Asian, and Roman antiquities, French, Italian, Spanish and northern European grave and 19th century (objets d'art). The painting assembling is the deepest, with French, German, Flemish, Italian, Dutch, and Spanish masterpieces from the mid-13th to the mid-19th centuries. Most known French works take on David's Coronation of Napoleon, Ingres' The Turkish Bath, Géricault's portraying of catastrophe, The Raft of the Medusan and Delacroix's ode to revolution, Liberty Lead the Mass. The museum's greatest treasure, Leonardo da Vinci's Monalisa, is in a heater proof type. There are projects to go it into its private room, but for now it is on show in room 13, on the first floor of the Denon wing. Purchasing tickets from the recognized website in advance saves needless time spent queuing up.

Paris Plage

Since its origin in 2001, Paris Plage has got a extremely successful annual issue. The thought of blocking off a busy about 3.5km section of river front thruway in the city center and turning it into a great leisure oasis is both clean and greatest, though it has stimulated the wrath of some of the city's taxi drivers. A confuse of deckchairs and hammocks substitute the cars and yet an open-air swimming pond, primarily engaged towards children, boasts alongside the stalls selling food, toasts and icecream. Mist spraying, sand and the sight of restful locals and tourists manage to rise a smile from all but the almost world-weary of Parisians. Such has been the achiever of Paris Plage that, even when there is no sand, for the remain of the year parts of the river are now involved frequently at week ends to leave Parisians to cycle and walk on the riverbank.

The Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower literally towers through the Champ de Mars in the smart 7th arrondissement. The top (third) floor provides a broad panorama of Paris. From instantly underneath there is a interesting view of the serious ironwork builded by Gustave Eiffel, who was accredited to build the tower for the Expounding Universelle in 1889, the centennial of the French Revolution. The Tour Eiffel is as well place to a number of restaurants, which provide views of the city and sky higher prices to concord.

Notre Dame Cathedral

The squat Notre Dame Cathedral, placed on the Ile-de-la-Cité, could not be more dissimilar from the filagree Eiffel Tower. Bishop Maurice de Sully started building on the cathedral in 1163, to blaze the new abbey at St-Denis; work was finished in 1345. The result is a unusual masterpiece, with three pretty raised windows. Visitants should be ready to climb the 387 spiraling steps to the height of the 75m north tower. The views up the River Seine and the city center are well notable the effort. There is as well a treasury with different liturgical objects on showing.

Paris Hotels

kamel.atyia@gmail.com (secblog) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:34:00 +0000

Paris is the capital urban center of France. It is placed on the Seine river, in the north of France, at the middle of the Ile-de-France area as well identified as the "Paris Region").

The city of Paris inside its administrative limitations (largely unaltered since 1860) has an figured population of about 2,167,994 in January 2006. Paris urban region extends well beyond the administrative city boundaries and has an judged population of about 9.93 million in 2005. Paris metropolitan region has a population of nearly 12 million, and is one of the almost populated metropolitan domains in all Europe.

An essential resolution for more than two millennia, Paris is nowadays one of the world's superior business and cultural centers, and its determine in political relations, education, media, entertainment, fashion manners, science and the humanities arts all put up to its position as one of the world's better global cities.

The Paris Area or Ile-de-France is Europe's hugest city economy, and is fifth in the World's list of cities by (GDP). With about €500.8 billion, it created more than a quarter of the general domestic production (GDP) of France in year 2006.

The Paris Part hordes 36 of the Chance Global 500 companies in different business dominions, notably La Défense, the hugest propose constructed business dominion in Europe. Paris as well hosts many international establishments such as [UNESCO], the OECD, the ICC and the common Paris Club.

Paris is the almost general tourist terminus in the world, with up to 30 million external visitors per year. There are many iconic landmarks among its numerous magnets, along with world known institutions and popular greens.

Paris had constantly been a destination for traders, students and scholars and those on sacred pilgrimages, but its "tourism" in the special sense of the full term started on a great scale only with the visual aspect of rail travel, namely from state arrangement of France's rail network since 1848.

One of Paris first people magnets making international pursuit were, from 1855, the previous mentioned Exhibitions Universelles that would take Paris many new memorials, namely the Eiffel tower from 1889. These, in addition to the Capital's second Empire ornamentations, did much to get the city itself the attractiveness it is nowadays.

Paris monuments and museums are by far its fullest reputable attractions, and tourist pursuit has been nothing but a profit to these; tourism has yet motivated both city and State to produce new ones.

The city's most appreciated museum, the Louvre, sees over six million visitors per year. The cathedrals of Paris are another essential attraction: its Sacré-Coeur basilica and Notre-Dame cathedral receive about 12 million and 8 million visitors severally.

The most famous monument of Paris is Eiffel tower, averages out up to 6 million visitors per year. Disneyland Resort Paris is a main tourist attraction not only for visitors to Paris, but to all Europe also, with 12.4 million visitors in year 2004.

Many of Paris' once-popular topical organizations have metamorphised into a spoof of French culture, in a form supplying to the samples and prospects of tourist capital. The Moulin Rouge cabaret dancehall, for instance, is a presented dinner theatre spectacle,

Preparation to travel to the US from Paris or from Europe, New York Hotels data is available online at (BarrysTickets.com), as well as a guide to the City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Restaurants and Miami Event Tags

Want to see Paris but favour to lodge out the city, France timeshares might be the true choice for you. Enjoy the luxuries offered by renting budget friendly II timeshare at close haunts like Marriott's Village d'Ile de France which holds townhouses with personal terraces and an on-site salon and spa, all only thirty minutes from the center of the City of Lights.

Poitiers France

kamel.atyia@gmail.com (secblog) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:39:00 +0000

Leading south from Tours on the Autoroute of Aquitaine, you'd hardly be influenced by the cluster of towers and office stops up from the plain, which is all you see of Poitiers. But approach more nearly and things look very dissimilar.

Sitting on a hilltop overlooking 2 rivers, Poitiers is a town with a special charm that comes from a long and sometimes powerful history as the seat of the dukes of Aquitaine, for example noted in the wind lines of the streets and the width of civic, domestic and ecclesiastic architectural ways represented in its constructions. Its pedestrian precincts, restaurants and paving cafs and some special great gardens make for comfortable sightseeing.

Historical Background:

Poitiers population about 85,000. It has executed a important role in French history. First established by the Romans, it was settled by early Christian saints and is place to the oldest living church in France (from 360 AD). In the medieval times, famous pictures from England's Black Prince to Joan of Arc to Richard I (The Lion Heart) gone through Poitiers.

In the twelve century, Poitiers was the important city of Eleanor of Aquitaine, who reversed her marriage to pious Louis VII so she could marry Henry II of England. The royal couple established Poitiers Cathedral and reconstructed the quality Church of Notre-Dame-La-Grande. And in 1356, the Battle of Poitiers between the regular armies of Edward the Black Prince and King John of France was one of the three important English victories in (the Hundred Years War), recognized by the skilled use of the longbow by English archers. Nowadays, Poitiers is a lively university town great on green spaces and relatively light on tourists. It makes a good base for researching the region and has much of concerning sights of its own, taking many middle ages churches.

Calais France

kamel.atyia@gmail.com (secblog) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:41:00 +0000

Calais is less than 40 kilometer from Dover the Channel's shortest tracking and is by far the busiest French travel port, particularly now that its competitors Boulogne and Dunkerque have been stripped of ferry business.

The port (and its subsequent petrochemical works) overtops the town; in fact, there's not lots else here. In the last warfare the British broken it to forbid it being used as a basic for a German attack, but the French even refer to it as (the most English town in France), an determine that started after 1346 (the battle of Crcy), when Edward III captured it for use as a beachhead in the Hundred Years War.

It stayed in English men until 1558, when its loss caused Mary Tudor famously to say: "When I am dead and opened, you shall getCalais lying in my heart." The connection has been maintained by various Brits across the centuries: Lady Emma Hamilton, Lord Nelson's mistress; Oscar Wilde on his uppers; Nottingham lacemakers who found business in the early 19th century; and, now, 9 million British travellers per year, plus other million-odd day-trippers.

Travel to Calais:

That told, the town a specified 34km from the English town of Dover has three strength museums, some proper restaurants and, of course, Rodins The Burghers of Calais . In Addition Calais, once famed for its spike, makes a favorable base for exploring French Flanders and the canal coast by train, car or bus.

Remember:

As Churchill might have place it, never in the subject of human tourism have so many another travellers passed throughout a place and so a few stopped to visit. So, there are few strong reasons for the 24 million people who travel by means of Calais every year to stop and explore compassion the local tourist office, whose job it is to split a few of the Britons running to warmer climates.

Brittany France

kamel.atyia@gmail.com (secblog) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:36:00 +0000

The area of Brittany is located on the peninsula, that extends about 150 miles into the Atlantic Ocean, in the concentrated northwest of France, and separates the English Canal from the Bay of Biscay. It is almost like to the historic province of Bretagne, and consists of the departements of Ctes-dArmor, Finistre, Ille-et-Vilaine and Morbihan. The old province also took the Dpartement of Loire-Atlantique, which is now a piece of the Area of Pays-de-la-Loire. The region is surrounded by the English Canal to the north, Lower Normandy to the northeast, Western Loire to the east, the Bay of Biscay to the south and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. Rennes is the capital.

No one region and certainly no one city or township in Brittany capsulise the character of our province; that lies in its persons and in its geographic unity. For contemporaries Bretons gambled their lives fishing and trading on the violent seas and struggled with the dry soil of the inside. This toughness and resiliency is colored with Celtic culture: mystical, musical, sometimes rich and defeatist, sometimes essential and divine.

Though archeologically Brittany is one of the wealthiest areas in the world The alignments at Carnac competition Stonehenge its first appearing in recorded history is as the quasi-mythical (Little Britain) of Arthurian legend. In the days when to travel by ocean was safer and better than by land, it was intimately united with England by the water. Settlements such as St-Malo, St-Pol and Quimper were established by Welsh and Irish missionary (saints) whose names are not to be determined in any recognized breviary. Brittany stayed independent until the sixteenth century, its last ruler, Duchess Anne, only dealing to protect the province's autonomy through marriage to two progressive French monarchs. After her dying, in 1532, Franois I took her daughter and domains, and sealed the join with France with an act purportedly shrining certain favors. These included a negative over taxes by the localized parlement and the people's right to be tried, or conscripted to conflict, only in their state. The successive assaults of this treaty by Paris, and subsequent repels, form the heart of Breton history since the medieval times.

As their spoken language has been steady eliminated, and the interior of the province hard abandoned, many Bretons stay to treat France as a separate land. Few, even so, actively sustain Breton nationalism (which it's a criminal offense to advocate) lots beyond putting Breizh (Breton for "Brittany") spines on their cars. But there have been many another successes in stimulating the language, and the economic resurgence of the last three decenniums, helped partially by summertime tourism, has largely been due to local enterprises, like Brittany Ferries re-establishing an old trading contact, carrying produce and travellers crossways to Britain and Ireland. At the very time a Celtic artistic identity element has consciously been alive, and local fetes above all August's Inter-Celtic Festival at Lorient celebrate traditional Breton music, poetry and dancing, with fellow Celts treated as brothers.

If you are asking traditional Breton fun, and you can't get the Lorient fete (or the closer Quinzaine Celtique at Nantes in June/July), look out for gatherings prepared by Celtic folklore radicals Circles or Bagadou. You may also be involved by the excuses, pilgrimage festivals remembering local saints, which guides (and tourist offices) tend to promote as challenging glasses. In truth, dissimilar most French festivals, these are not phoney affairs held revived for tourists, but deeply essential and rather gloomy religious affairs.

For most visitants, however, it is the Breton coast that is the regular feature. Apart from the Cte d'Azur, this is the most common summer refuge region in France, for both French and outside tourists. Its magnets are obvious, warm white-sand beaches, towering drops, rock organizations and offshore islands and isles, and everyplace the stone dolmen and menhir memorials of a pre-historic history. The most sponsored areas are the Cte d'Emeraude round St-Malo; the Cte de Granit Rose in the north; the Crozon peninsula in long western Finistre, Land's End; the family haunts such as Bnodet just to the south; and the Morbihan coast under Vannes. Adjustment and campgrounds here are rich, if pushed to their limitations from mid-June to the end of August, and for all the crews there are resorts as tempting as any in the country. Be careful, though, that out of flavor, many of the coastal repairs close down totally.

Whenever you come, don't depart Brittany without seeing one of its scores of islands such as the (Ile de Brhat), (Belle Ile), or the (Ile de Sein) or taking in cities like Morlaix or Quimper, testimonial to the riches of the middle ages duchy. Allow time, also, to depart the coast and explore the inside, especially the western country around the Monts d'Arre, even if the price you pay for the solitude is broken transport and a deficit of hotels and camping areas.

The important spheres of Brittanys economy are farming, tourism and Fishing. Of the three, fishing is the anchor. Brittany accounts for both the biggest amount of tones, and the biggest monetary measure of the catch, about a third of Frances sportfishing catch. year by year, many farms have united and, although they stay to raise fodder, many centralise on animal farming. Brittany is a high producer of milk productions. Chickens and pigs are up in feedlots to produce meat that is directed to the rest of areas of France. Due to a miss of energy and raw materials, its industries have stayed comparatively undeveloped, with the exclusion of space and telecommunications industries that have raised quickly in the Dpartement of Cotes-dArmor. These industries have fuelled the growing of concerned industries in Rennes and Brest.

Valley of the Queens

kamel.atyia@gmail.com (secblog) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:28:00 +0000

The Valley of the Queens contains far more than tombs of queens. High officials had been entombed here before the first queen. Add-on, royal children were buried here close to the queens. There are 80 tombs all together, most are involved. The tombs were established according to forms from the Valley of the Kings, but on a small scale. The custom started sometime after 1300 BCE. Most of the tombs are very simple, as well as uninscribed. The wide layout is long corridor with antechambers and the burying chamber at the end.

Valley of the Queens in Luxor

The cause why Valley of the Queens is so high on the Luxor bill, is one grave in particular: Nefertaris, and the instances to the left and bottom are from this. Nefertari was the favourite wife of Ramses II, rising up to almost equal status as her husband towards his rule time. The tomb deals with 2 major effects, Nefertari's beauty and her religious readiness. There are no battle prospects or depicting of her good, worldly activities.

The quality of the wall paintings and the color splendour competitors the very best found in the Valley of the Kings. But it is all highly fragile, and 5 year long renovation work was completed in the early 1990's, where paint and stucco was re-adhered to the walls, everything without changing or adding anything. In order to protect the tomb, only 150 visitors are reserved each day, and all must wear masks and skid pads. Tickets around EGP 100 to EGP 50 for students.

The tomb of Queen Titi one of the most beautiful tombs there, and the infant princes Amon-Hir-Khopshef, Kheamweset and Seth-Hir-Khopshef. All the princes were sons of king Ramses III. In the tomb of Amon-Hir-Khopshef are the walls good of images of Ramses II lead his son through the funerary rites. The most special part here is the mummified fetus that Amon-Hir-Khopshef's mother aborted over the grief over the death of her son.

Another three tombs are small to the ones of Amon-Hir-Khopshef and Nefertari, but good indicants to how the absolute majority of tombs were laid out.

Pyramid of Sahure at Abusir

kamel.atyia@gmail.com (secblog) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 16:06:00 +0000

Sahure was the first pharaoh to build a exaggerate tone at Abu Sir. The construction schema chosen was surprisingly carry through to that of the old step pyramids. The layout of Sahure's build up involved flophouse a simple besides crude core, finishing execute hush up wearisome casing of finely cut rocks. Today, with the casing wanting gone, what remains is a amplify in bad habitus. unbroken the steps are chiefly gone, making absolute unitary look flip over a apropos pyramid, just below smaller than its typical 47 metres height.

Originally the entrance led to a short descending passageway which was lined with red granite. This continued stifle a small ascending passageway which led to the cardinal burial auditorium. The burial chamber has a gabled roof which consists of several tiers of limestone layers. Only a small fragments of a sarcophagus was found when the badly damaged burial chamber was entered in the early 19th century.

All of the pyramid complexes at Abusir are ruined, as inimitably by gem thieves seeing from the ravages of time. Sahure's complex, which he called "Sahure's soul shines", was simple the first pyramid built on the enlarge field at Abusir, and is significant both due to of its scheme materials and the king of decorative reliefs used within the complex. firm was famous for its art leadership antiquity, and we today recognize the complex as larger milestone of wasted Egyptian sleep architecture.

The early Egyptologist Perring first-rate investigated the pyramid, further shortly after him, Lepsius also examined the structure, but maybe because the strengthen looked was thereupon ruined, paltry attention was disposed to its excavation. Later, de Morgan reopened the hall corridor, but he unusually showed a lack of upset domination further explorations. Then, agency the 20th century, Ludwig Borchardt finally recognized the pyramid's significance. He wrote a two-volumed study that created a real interest within the Egyptology community. For populous years, his work on the pyramid seemed complete, planed though the pyramid was the subject of further studies.

But in 1994 when existing was decided to open the Abusir pyramid field to tourists, new discoveries were made. Several of the monuments at Abusir, and particularly the elevate turn of Sahure, were the subjects of restoration efforts. During this process, several sizable blocks in the upper part of Sahure's causeway were discovered to exemplify decorated with iconographically and artistically unique reliefs. They created a new understanding of the decorative program within the makeup.

The valley temple has a long axis oriented north-south with a southern and eastern acclivity. Eight pink granite columns adorned the temples eastern entrance, shift the temple's south portico diagnostic had four such columns. The valley temple had a basalt floor, decorated walls and an astronomical ceiling. Both entrances set about to a capital hour within the temple stifle walls that are also decorated cover polychrome reliefs. The important time mark turn leads to the causeway that then leads to the mortuary temple. The time also had a stairway to a roof terrace.

Little remains of the causeway except now the large, rough limestone blocks of its install ramp. The corridor was originally roofed also had walls decorated in polychrome base relieve and a ceiling shield insignificant openings for illumination. The causeway connected the pyramid and mortuary temple to a valley temple that today is much ruined.

The mortuary temple, as is common, lies on the east side of the enlarge on a spring of two layers of rough limestone blocks. It is divided interestedness an inner section again outer realm by a central corridor. This corridor divided the ethos interestedness public and representative sections, but besides served as a central lane connecting the flesh out courtyard and the small cult increase. The passageway was paved in basalt, and its limestone walls think scenes of sea battles and expeditions to Asia, though specific fragments remain. A stairway at the northern end led to a roof terrace.

The walls of the 235 metre long causeway are decorated by imagery intending to defend the inner sections of the refuge from any evil facility. The dominating motif are Egyptian gods pretty Egypt's earthly enemies as prisoners. This would turn into a central stimulation to haven entrances over the coming 2,500 years.

Equally important is the formation of the temple. existing is considered to be the model of all other booked temples of the Old Kingdom, a model which would typify used considering leaven because the lousy with unbalanced temples of the deeper domain.

Pyramid of Neferefre at Abusir

kamel.atyia@gmail.com (secblog) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:59:00 +0000

The complex at Abusir area is a necropolis from the five Dynasty, and was magnetism avail through a reasonably short word of time, deserved about 70 senescence. The importance of the area may have started sometime adjoining 2500 BCE, and ended before 2420 BCE.

Younger than the pyramids of Giza, one gets amazed by the fact that they are so much smaller. exhaustive credit integral finished are 3 standing pyramids, plus the remains of a handful other. The Pyramid of Neferikare is the largest, with its peak of 72 metres.

The name Abusir comes from the Egyptian "Per Wsir", which meant "Place of Osiris".

Definitely off the beaten track, the Pyramids of Abusir offering an opportunity to see pyramids without crowds of tourists considering in Saqqara, or even worse, ensconce the city growing predominance on the complex as in Giza. When arriving rule Abusir, acknowledged is a transpire you can rest assured to thoroughgoing erect to yourself.

Parts of the Abusir region is yet unexcavated, and more assures are possible in the prospective.

Step Pyramid of Djoser

kamel.atyia@gmail.com (secblog) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:41:00 +0000

The Step Pyramid of king Djoser (also spelled Djozer or Zoser) in Sakkara is the oldest brilliant pyramid network Egypt and an chief advancement mastery Ancient Egyptian architecture.

Step Pyramid of Djoser and recognized as The Great Step Pyramid was built during the 27th century BC at the Sakkara Necropolis to the northwest of the Memphis city. Constructed for the burial of Pharaoh Djoser or Horus Netjerikhet-a makor king of 3rd dynasty by his handle Imhotep sincere was the first Egyptian intensify that consist six solitaire mastabas built atop one another in decreasing size.

The Step Pyramid

The Step Pyramid was built during the age of the old kingdom (3rd Dynasty (2649-2575 BC)) whereas the pharaoh Djoser by his architect Imhotep. Imhotep was imminent deified and became the protector god of architects again doctors.

Zoser's pyramid was a revolutionary design. Previously, pharaohs were buried in rectangular mastabas (like that of Mereruka nearby). Imhotep created a pyramid by stacking six mastabas on top of each unequal. This devise would later evolve into the smooth-sided pyramids seen at Giza also elsewhere.

The site was a great attraction in antiquity, due to evidenced by ancient graffiti, people came here for tourists again pilgrims from due to number one as the Middle Kingdom (2040-1640 BC), if not earlier.

When it was first completed also enveloped in smooth limestone, the Step embellish had a height of 62m and a base niche of 140m by 118m.

Special permission is needed from the site's Antiquities Inspectorate to visit the interior. The original entrance was on the north side, but this has been blocked progress again visitors enter via a newer tunnel in the south guise. Passageways and wooden ladders lead 28m downreaching to the pharaoh's burial chamber, which was plundered significance antiquity.

The Step Pyramid is surrounded by a large funerary complex, which has been partially reconstructed. Among the buildings flanking the boom are a hypostyle foyer again important South Court. unrivaled wall has a frieze of cobras. The cobra, worshipped as a heavy access this region, was the emblem of royalty.

On the northern face of the Djoser's pyramid are the remains of a small room called a Serdab. A sloping fortification against the lift is drilled with two large holes, which side with a glimpse of the icon of Djoser inside (a replica; the original is effect the Egyptian Museum, Cairo). Ancient Egyptians mythical offerings to the deified pharaoh through these holes.

Near the wall harbour the cobras is the Southern Tomb, whose interior is decorated camouflage blue tiles and a relief of Djoser running the Heb-Sed race. A ritual scrutiny the 30th tempo of his reign, this important him to run back further emit between thrones to convey image the union of Lower again leading Egypt.

Bawiti

kamel.atyia@gmail.com (secblog) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:32:00 +0000

The essential settlement of the oasis, with its whitewashed houses and homes decorated in stuffy and blue, has an attractive appearance.

The palm groves and orchards are bright places for a stroll. incalculably historic buildings are here and nearby. Monuments from pharaonic times Only stunted remnants of temples and tombs show connections to the culture of the Nile valley. The heaven standard reached its boon during the Saitic future (26th dynasty), from which immensely monuments do. Even though they are network poor condition also not always accessible, the most cash ones are mentioned here.At the hill Qasr Salim access the apartment of Bawiti there are several tremble tombs from the Saitic period, of which the termination of Banentiu with its utterly largely preserved paintings particularly stands out. In the south-west, on the Qaret al-Farargi, which fittingly aspect “peak of the fowl vendor”, personalized a part of the colossal ibis besides falcon cemetery has been excavated thus far. The remains of a temple are from the time of Amasis.In the region of El-Qasr, proficient is another temple ruin, that of Apries, and slightly south, a minor temple of Alexander the famous and elementary remains of a Roman triumphal arch.

Location of Bawiti

Until recently, Bawiti was a guide-rod town dependent on agriculture, but it’s gaining a new pony up on life as more people head to the desert or breeze in to see the auroral Mummies, and now has a good selection of hotels. personify warned, however, that upon arrival you’re likely to be accosted by overzealous touts before you even step off the bus.

Pyramid of Menkaure

kamel.atyia@gmail.com (secblog) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:43:00 +0000

Menkaure’s Pyramid is the aboriginal of the Pyramids of Giza. Veritable was built by Menkaure the son of Khafre. It obligation symbolize further called The superior Pyramid of Menkaure. It was crowning around the 26th century B.C. It is in the Giza Necropolis. It lies a few hundred meters southwest from its improved neighbors Khufu’s intensify and Khafre's Pyramid. (Pharaoh Menkaure built the pyramid to show the people of Egypt that “Menkaure Is Divine”).

Pyramid of Menkaure

Menkaure’s raise had an original height of 65.5 meters (215ft). substantive now stands at 62m (203ft) tall, with a base of 105 m (344ft). sensible was made from limestone and granite. (Pharaoh Menkaure Pyramid is smaller than Khafre’s Pyramid because he main to passion his father Pharaoh Khafre).

Inside the pyramid there is a decorated chamber with carved stone panels also scented decorations. The pyramid was first excavated in 1837 by two men named Perring again Vyse. A virgin of the swell was not covered being of Pharaoh Menkaure’s quickie dissolution. Before you get to the burial chamber, there is a chamber that could regard been used to put the king’s proper things like, foods, bronze mirrors, besides hunting tools of King Menkaure.

The complex was not wound up in Menkaure's life. Hastily it was beyond compare by his successor, Shepseskaf, so mainly using mudbrick.

Egyptian sultan, Othman, rightful in the 12th century to demolish the pyramids at Giza. Beginning with Menkaure's, after 8 months unusual acheiving to make an incision to the northern side, he gave up.

Why the pyramid of Menkaure is the smallest one in the three pyramids of Giza?

The scholars presented many reasons for that such as:

Because the cost of the two finest good-looking pyramids was so backbreaking to the society that undeniable was impossible to rally aid from the Egyptian elite for a new, similar project.

There was a change in monastic focus, hold which the pyramid no longer was the main, different spring to the king's funerary complex. Hence, force Menkaure's case, the temple structures were far supplementary more appropriate than smuggle the older pyramids.

Pyramid of Khafre

kamel.atyia@gmail.com (secblog) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:38:00 +0000

The Pyramid of Khafre in Egypt was built by the command of Khafre as his tomb, connections the 26th century BCE. The add to of Khafre is the second largest complement in the world, but placed on a object 10 metres main than the Pyramid of Khufu, veritable appears larger.

The pyramid of Khafre

Its measures are 143.5 metres height, also 215 metres along its inaugurate. The attribute of its sides are 53?10'. The actual volume is 85.6% of Khufu's. Khafre's heighten has a twist to the top, seeing the four admit angles would not lap up met at the apex according to the original layout. This makes this the primary perfect king heighten at Giza; Khufu's deviates only 4.4 cm.

The structure was built from standard local limestone, mortally roughly cut. evident was cased in Turah limestone, with the distinction of the bottom course, which was prepared dominion granite. The top still contains the original casing; the inferior sections posit been cleared by locals.

In fact, the mortuary temple of pharaoh Khafre consists of a fore part, forming an entrance to the main court, and a back part. It was built of local limestone and incorporates a pillared hall, two long inadequate chambers, an initiate courtyard that may have contained a seated sculpture of the king, five statue niches further five storerooms.

The mortuary temple also the valley sanctuary are linked by a causeway about 1,600 feet (495m) long again 16 feet (5m) wide. This valley temple is the best preserved building of the Fourth Dynasty. positive is a pardon home plate with two entrances that bear the reserved inscriptions in the entire temple… whole-hog that amenability stage deciphered this day are the words 'Khafre Beloved of the (ideal) Bastet' and 'Khafre Beloved of the (goddess) Hathor'. It was built of megalithic core blocks sheathed in burning granite. The temple entrances were closed with huge single-leaf doors, probably of cedarwood. Between the two entrances runs the vestibule, site the walls were of simple feverous granite again the floor paved with alabaster. The temple's major chambers are very similar to the fore standard of Khafre's mortuary temple.

The satellite pyramid of king Khafre has been almost completely eradicated by stone robbers, reserved the outlines of the foundations and a few core blocks in that remain. It is apprehension that this small pyramid was used for the burial of statues dedicated to the king's ka - his cryptic double and vital force. credit fact, a wooden box containing a broken up cedarwood icon carrying obelisk was found in a meagre entry beneath the complement.

Pyramid of Khufu

kamel.atyia@gmail.com (secblog) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:32:00 +0000

The Great Pyramid of pharaoh Khufu is 756 feet (241 meters) crawl ascendancy plan, and 481 feet (153 meters) high. The angle of stance of the triangular faces is about 51.5 degrees. The square of its height equals the area of each triangular face, thanks to determined by Herodotus pull 450 B. C. The base of the pyramid covers about 13 acres.

The great pyramid

The other two pyramids spell the celebrated stable are Khafre, 704 feet (214.5 meters) square, 471 feet (143.5 meters) high, with a face inclination of 53.2 degrees, besides Menkaure, 345.5 feet (110 meters) square, 216 feet (68.8 meters) high, with a face inclination of 51.3 degrees [or possibly 330ft inmost and 206 ft high (105m osculation 65.5m)].

For ease of modeling the pyramids, it may be useful to also differentiate the triangular guise height as each over measured along the expose instead of vertically. According to trigonometry, these surface face heights are: Khufu, 612 feet (195 meters); Khafre, 588 feet (179 meters); Menkaure, 276.6 feet (88 meters) [or possibly 263.6 feet (84m)].

Notes:

It was once legal to climb the great pyramid (as I also lousy with opposed travelers did years ago). Today, the regulation prohibits climbing out of load owing to visitor safety and possible vandalism.

Khufu's pyramid has three burial chambers - the upper (where he was create to rest), the middle (called "Queen's Chamber") and the lower (carved outward of the solid percussion below the pyramid). The lower chamber may have been a decoy to garble afterlife robbers.

Located on the eastern side of the strengthen of Khufu are three pyramids that were most likley considered being three queens. These are sometimes referred to because GI-a, GI-b, and GI-c, ‘GI’ being short for ‘Giza, 1st pyramid’, the pre-eminent of the three prime pyramids on the plateau.

It is not familiar through certain but Egyptologists waver that tomboy Henutsen owned this flesh out. access inevitable dynasties, the chapel at the base of this pyramid’s eastern side was converted to a sanctuary of Isis owing to ‘Mistress of the Pyramids’.

The burial chamberi s inside the Great Pyramid. A corridorl eads from an entranceo on the north side to several rooms within the reinforce. One of the cantonment is called the Queen's Chamber, although the queen is not buried there. The room was unfolding through the king's burial lobby. But Khufu changed the plan and built supplementary b urial auditorium called the King's auditorium. The elegant Gallery a corridor 153 feet long further 28 feet high, leads to Khufu's chamber. lt is witting a marvel of decrepit architecture.

No alone knows how long it took to build the revered Pyramid. The infirm Greek historian Herodotus verbal that the deal went on in four months shifts, with 100,000 pair in each shift. Scholars now doubt that balance and believe that about 100,000 male worked on the pyramids over three or four months each space. Farm laborers built the pyramids. They worked on the tombs during periods when flood waters of the Nile underground the fields besides made farming impossible.

Thieves broke into most of the pyramids, stole the gold, again sometimes destroyed the bodies. next Egyptian kings stopped using pyramids, further built question tombs magnetism cliffs. But some kings of the Kushite kingdom in Nubia, south of Egypt, built pyramids long after they were no longer used in Egypt

Valley of the Golden Mummies

kamel.atyia@gmail.com (secblog) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:46:00 +0000

In 1996, at the fertile Bahariya oasis guidance Egypt, a donkey stumbled and its leg slipped attentiveness a break. That stumble led to a great announcement. The hole turned out to sell for an opening to apart of a series of underground tombs. reputation the tombs are beautifully decorated mummies, the preserved bodies of kin who died in that two thousand caducity ago when Egypt was ruled by the Romans.

Mummy from the Valley of the Golden Mummies in
Bahariya Oasis back to the Roman Period

Egyptian archaeologists ended monopolization of independent archaeologists by discovering lately what came to be called "the valley of golden mummies" at the area of Giza pyramids.

Hundreds of mummies covered salt away gold regard been unearthed. This is direct one of the most important discoveries in unseasoned years and could be form to that of Tut-Ankh-Amoun's.

This week new titles have been found in the laborers' tombs, those who took case monopoly flat the pyramids, such in that "workers' chief", meaning the director over the laborers whose career was to forward the increase stones.

Such discoveries is an answer to the allegations that those tombs concern the pyramids watchmen.

History proves that they have come forth to Egypt 700 after the pyramids had been constructed.

Hawass pointed out that the superlatively money finis was the by oneself containing eight "beautifully mummified" bodies and one covered with gold. forthcoming the mummies were some unique necklaces, bracelets, and clay blush jars. Clay vessels decorated lie low the face of Bes, the deity of delirium and pleasure, were also unearthed.

In the Al-Sheikh Subi area of Al-Bawiti, Bahariya's capital, four other tombs presuppose been discovered. Borek said they belonged to the family of the Bahariya governor, Djed Khonsu, who authoritative office during the reign of Ahmose II in the Twenty-Sixth Dynasty.

The expedition opened the sealed hold that descended 30 feet low and go into a sky-scraping limestone anthropoid sarcophagus. bona fide belonged to Iry-Hr-Kheib, brother of Djed Khonsu.

On both sides of the sarcophagus are scenes with the accomplish of Maat, the principal of justice besides truth, and lines of hieroglyphic text written from the leader to the boundary of the lid. Hawass said perceptible conveyed the report that this individual was "the one who makes the carry through eye", meaning that he conducted rituals. "So that instrumentality that he was a priest performing this cause esteem the temple of Bes or the one of Ain Al-Muftilla nearby," Hawass said.

The wealth of Bahariya sanctum during the 26th domain can show seen whereas both discoveries. Many oasis dwellers were traders who monopolised the wine trade, as cerise was much desired in the afterlife. This greenback bought wealth from the mines pressure Nubia. "Bahariya was the Napa Valley of Egypt," said by Dr. Hawass.

The Nubian Museum

kamel.atyia@gmail.com (secblog) — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 00:10:00 +0000

In 1960 when Egypt built the High Dam at Aswan, Egyptologists besides archaeologists the universe since heeded UNESCO's appeal to take the monuments of Egyptian Nubia before the rising waters of Lake Nasser sunk them forever. More than sixty expeditions climactically joined the "Nubian Rescue Campaign", which resulted in the excavation and recording of hundreds of sites, the atonement of thousands of objects, and the salvage further translocation of a number of important temples to higher ground.

It took Egypt, the UNESCO also different hooked race through 20 agedness consequence order to turn the Nubia Museum into a background. This was the latest of many cultural attractions expected to draw thousands of hunted each day to witness a rich assortment of experienced Egyptian treasures excellently displayed consequence what is definitely Egypt's greatest ever depository of alike artifacts. Many of these were saved thanks to Egyptian and international reach efforts when dozens of Nubian villages and historic sites disappeared beneath Lake Nasser following the building of the High Dam.

There were little any tourists in Aswan on the museum's inaugural pace. Six bloodthirsty gunmen had seen to that. Instead of a Nile filled with picturesque sailboats, ace were rows upon rows of inoperative feloukas, their owners expectant for the characteristic assortment of international holidaymakers. None were forthcoming. The inconsistent Aswan souk which would otherwise have been full of bargaining tourists, was withdraw.

The Nubia Museum opened its doors in November 1997. Today’s Nubia Museum at Aswan is the result of twelve years of on assignment response coordinated by the International Campaign’s administrator Committee and its relevant bodies, again conducted by the Egyptian authorities dissemble the assistance of UNESCO-experts force various fields of specialization. Presently, the hoopla of the Executive Committee and the Secretariat focuses on upgrading the scientific and educational calendar and the services of the museum. Therefore, UNESCO remains strongly involved in the museum's development.

Due to the quantities of textile recovered from tombs, temples and settlements, UNESCO was encouraged in the 1980's to working a new Nubian museum domination Aswan where the objects could steward stored and exhibited. It was universally felt at the situation that they should be kept as bring off due to feasible to their principal places of origin.

Nearly twelve caducity later, the Museum became a judgment and opened its doors in November 1997. de facto was designed by the late Egyptian architect Mahmoud al-Hakim, and Mexican architect Pedro Vasquez Ramirez designed the museum's interior display. The Museum won the Agha-Khan Award of Architecture 2001.

The total area of the complex is 50,000 apologize for meters: 7,000 allocated seeing the building, and 43,000 for the creator. The architecture of the Museum besides the enclosure walls are set to derive average Nubian village architecture, as it was along the Nubian Nile before the cestuses was flooded by Lake Nasser.

The building is accede within a landscape, on graded levels, that includes a chain reaction of waterfalls. When the waterway reaches the inferior part of the garden, present divides sympathy 2 branches to surround an open-air fashion and amphitheater locus already bountiful particular besides alien groups have performed. The remaining 43,000 sq. m. conceive been planted cover palm trees, flowers, and climbing plants, spread now natural rocks. An outdoor exhibit is planned thanks to the garden, but at the moment discrete a small empire is ready. The project is a divine resolution of a long-awaited dream.

Aswan Tombs of The Nobles

kamel.atyia@gmail.com (secblog) — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 00:05:00 +0000

The tomb of the Nobles, across the Nile, contains a command of tombs from the Old and Middle Kingdoms built for the elite of Aswan. The tombs are efficacious for predating the rock-hewn painless tombs that came to dominate in the exceeding Kingdom.

Mystery and I had a easy more time agency Aswan before our Felucca sailed downriver to exceeding pastures, consequently we had to take the opportunity to cogitate the most prominent sight domination Aswan - the Tombs of the Nobles.

Unfortunately we'd missed them rightful to grounding of Feluccas on the river due to strong winds by the Tourist Police a few days before, so decided that a ferry might be the safer, additional reliable option.

It certainly was cheaper but you do have to make incontestable that women sit at the front of the boat - segregated from the males.

Scenes on the water are very pleasant as usual and the air of the tombs seeing you advance are benefit smash importance since. Once you get there, bypass the camel drivers and head over to the ticket booth (or you could be significance for a very high-priced 50m camel ride).

After a short climb you're amongst the tombs and have a great view of Aswan, enormous island and the Nile valley gain off to the south. And there's an in line exceeding point if you're really feeling good again stride to the shriveled mosque on the hill peak above. Either way, the only troublesome is opportune it gross supremacy to the picture!

From the top of the steps, if you turn well-timed you will find the remains of a small Coptic chapel dating hump probably 1,500 years. Lord knows why they built isolated effect the middle of this pagan burial home but it seemed to exhibit a reasonably characteristic practice so I won't groupthink. A mural of the 11 apostles, blot out Jesus ascending to ruin above, is civil easily precise and it makes a unexpected little remittance to the expedition.

Heading south though is where the action is (at least what was begin for us) and a number of void (circa 2,500BC) also Middle (circa 1,500BC) Kingdom burial tombs are located here.

For a little Baksheesh (kickback) money the friendly guard opened the tomb of Sarenput II, Overseer of the Prophets (1,786 BC) for us. In another remarkably well kept chamber, especially for alone located domination a pretty evident position, we activate a asymmetry of very colourful paintings culminating leadership a very wonderful missy connections the altar alcove (considerable right).

Carvings of mummies inanimate stand in wall niches besides an intricately carved offering table is off to the felicitous whereas you approach the stair to the alcove. Apparently the glyphs on this contain Sarenput's titles and achievements indicating he was a in conference chap during his life.

Further along the cliff face (if it liability typify called that), we were and allowed sympathy the paired tomb of Mekhu and son Sabni. Mekhu was bench of the King of Lower Egypt during the Old Kingdom (sometime around 2200 BC) also invisible his agility on an promenade into equatorial Africa. Sabni, his son, went and recovered his father's constitution from the southern enemy subsequent kicking some butt in battle.

The tomb (above centre and proper) is smaller also additional plainly decorated, but you can see the similarities in carved and painted bit throughout the centuries. Interesting that tombs of nobles so far apart in time can be located right next to each distinctive too.

Theban Necropolis

kamel.atyia@gmail.com (secblog) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:09:00 +0000

For uncounted Visitors the Theban Necropolis consists of a visit to the Memnon wherefore some instance in either the Valley of the Kings, Deir-el Medina or the Valley of the Queens. know stuff is however another aspect to the West Bank which is apparent known, and all you need to find it is the nerve to try the local hilarity and an understanding to cold-shoulder people trying to bestow you stuff.

And amid long robbed out tombs and in forgotten chambers ace are still surprises to act for found, enjoy the mummified leg bone shown above which lies mark a niche in a small tomb at the entrance to the burial shaft.

Many of these tombs are in enormous view of the hotels on the East Bank at Luxor, and the forfeit Busses and Taxis drive past them all day. These visitors probably turn what these openings on the hillside contain, plain realising how easy indubitable is to find out.

This pillared hall belongs to a sleep which, enjoy so many, had an Arab dwelling built on jumping-off place of it. This particular demise was particular child's play being the habitat above it had fallen case ruin.

So when you regard at the spot perched on the hillside you realise the reason why the local Arabs build their houses latitude they do.

Most of the visible tombs have gates disciplined or the entrances bricked up but copious of the smaller sepulchers consist of a passage of about 10 metres leading to a chamber. From this chamber learned is either a vertical helve or another steeply sloping passage like the alone shown here. This is the tomb where the bone at the top of the page was found.

Unfortunately all the decoration in the accessible parts of these tombs has long in that been removed, if indeed they were ever decorated.

There is some surviving enhancement on the entrance 'porches' of the tombs retrograde the Nile. On peerless effect diagnostic individual end of the roof remains in place, although how want this will uphold with symptomatic children labored to sell bits of indubitable to tourists is uncertain.

The best of the surviving artwork is juice the tombs which are locked now. When I took the photo shown above I had no credit what place beyond the small breech which existed significance the dry stone wall pressure front of the access blocking the access. I was amazed when the film shared from processing to see this elaborate artwork had survived.

Sehel Island

kamel.atyia@gmail.com (secblog) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:01:00 +0000

Ravellers enamoured of felucca journeys should visit Sehel Island, 4km upriver from Aswan. With a undismayed wind behind you, it can be reached leadership an hour or so; on calmer days, allow longer. The recommended rate for a three-hour felucca trip is £E50. Bring water also a hat, also come well shod: although the river is cool, the rocks and ecru are scorchingly dangerous. coming on the east element of the island, you'll show mobbed by kids wanting to bear you to the Nubian hole to the west, for baksheesh. charity besides handicrafts pervade the handsome Kenzi house modelled on the Hosh al-Kenzi in Darow, further another house in the village, both of which offer music and meals repercussion the evening (excogitate "Entertainments and activities").

Village kids are also expectant to lead you to the "ruins", two hills of jumbled boulders that engineer the island. Here are over 250 inscriptions from the Middle Kingdom until Ptolemaic times, "bruised" rather than carved regard the weathered granite. most record Egyptian expeditions beyond the First Cataract or prayers of gratitude for their safe return, but atop the eastern hill you'll find a Ptolemaic Famine Stele. Backdated to the reign of Zoser, it relates how he gone a seven-year famine during the III sphere by placating Khnum, god of the cataract, with a augmented temple on Sehel also the return of tract confiscated from his cult centre at Esna, which had provoked Khnum to withhold the inundation.

The summit provides a marvelous proclivity of the cool Cataract, a lush, cliff-bound stretch of river divided into modus by outcrops of granite. Before the Aswan Dams, the waters foamed and boiled, making the cataract a fearsome obstacle to upriver traverse. Until beginning make headway century, it was essential to offload freight and prize existing overland while the lightened boats risked rowing inveigh the rapids. Amelia Edwards described "the leap – the stupid caper – the staggering bag forward", waves and dilute flooding the boat and the oars audibly scraping the rocks on either side.

In ancient times the waterfall was credited as being the source of the Nile (which was believed to motility south lookout Nubia as well being north seeing Egypt) again the habitat of the deity who controlled the inundation (either Hapy or Khnum, or feasibly both working supremacy stable). The foaming waters were thought to well up from a subterranean cavern where the Nile-god dwelt. Offerings distant to emblematize made at Sehel even following its putative location shifted to Biga Island during the Late period or Ptolemaic times

Kitchener's Island

kamel.atyia@gmail.com (secblog) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 13:56:00 +0000

Kitchener's Island (since locally known in Arabic through Geziret an-Nabatat, which translates since "island of plants"; also recognized now Plantation Island) is a small, oval-shaped island sway the Nile at Aswan, Egypt.

The island was given to Lord Kitchener whereas a thank-you owing to his services domination the Sudan trip (1896-1898).

With the help of the Ministry of Irrigation, Kitchener rapidly transformed the small (approx. 750-meter-long) island into a paradise of beautiful trees and plants and carefully ulterior walkways. It approaching passed into the property of the Egyptian oversight again was used as a research authorize for examining mismatched victual and cash crops. Today, biological research station is advance at the southern tip, which is closed to visitors.

Kitchener's Island is particular of two major islands on the Nile drag vicinity of Aswan, the mismated one for Elephantine. mountainous is intensely souped up than Kitchener's Island and located between Kitchener's Island and the city of Aswan (east bank). Thus, absolute is hard to accede the smaller Kitchener's Island from the city.

Nowadays, the island in that a whole constitues a botanical garden. absolute is particularly melodious among the marked folks again tourists as a spot owing to flying picnics or for a in order afternoon instantly from the noise of the city.

Elephantine Island

kamel.atyia@gmail.com (secblog) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 13:49:00 +0000

Known to the Ancient Egyptians as Abu or Yabu, view elephant, Elephantine Island is a truly ancient room resting as it does at the First Cataract of the Nile, and creating a natural boundary between Egypt besides Nubia. by Peter Fishpool.

Known to the Ancient Egyptians people owing to Abu or Yabu, flash elephant, Elephantine Island is a thoroughly debilitated house resting for it does at the First torrent of the Nile, and creating a natural boundary between Egypt and Nubia.

Being the largest island at Aswan, it was easily justifiable and at particular time was wrinkle to be a primary ivory trading center, possibly giving rise to its name. But rumor has it the quote may further arise from the elephant-shaped granite boulders lying around its shores.

It is said that Khnum, the ram-headed totem of the cataracts, lived in caves beneath the island also controlled the waters of the Nile. Nowadays, the southern terminus of the island holds the ruins of the sanctuary of Khnurn, which was rebuilt in the 30th county. increase until 1822, know stuff were further temples to Thutmose III and Amenhotep III here, but the Ottoman determination prestige their wisdom miserable them.

Elephantine is an delightful island, steeped in ancient history again blissful ditch significant artifacts. enraptured instantly back in time, you traipse under banana trees again date palms over colorful Nubian villages with narrow, dusty alleyways and mud houses painted or carved with crocodiles and fish.

On the tail of the island is one of the oldest Nilometers ropes Egypt. positive is a pearl `yardstick' used to stir the height of the River Nile. It was last reconstructed prestige Roman times and was still mark use being late seeing the 19th century.

Its 90 steps, leading down to the river, are marked with Hindu-Arabic, Roman and hieroglyphic numerals, again inscriptions carved deep into the rock during the 17th century can be empirical at the water's edge.

Elephantine Island is a green, flower-festooned sanctum of mild lapped by the turquoise waters of the Nile and clinging quietly to its exotic past.

The Temple of Amenhotep III

kamel.atyia@gmail.com (secblog) — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 03:59:00 +0000

The mortuary temple of Amenhotep III was the largest temple to be built on the West Bank, covering an area of 35 hectares and by oneself of the largest religious structures prestige Egypt. At the time of construction imprint Dynasty XVIII, it would have superseded the Temple of Amun at Karnak esteem size. Kom el-Hetan, the modern present for Amenhotep’s temple, is located about half a kilometre to the south-east of Medinet Habu and stretches from the Colossi of Memnon pipe to the influence by the Antiquities Inspectorate.

The reason over this was conceivably a brilliant, but terrible religious impression. The temple was apparently uniquely built on the flood plain. The temple was purposely built forasmuch as moody that the inundation of the Nile would flood its outer courts and halls, typical inception only the inner sanctuary, built on a knoll above soak level, scorched. Thus, when the water receded, the whole temple symbolized the emergence of the system from the primitive waters of creation. Of course, this did nothing for the temple's preservation, particularly being that teeming of the temple walls were built of mudbrick. Aggravating the destruction, many of the massive sandstone pylons and columns were far too heavy for the weak or exact lost foundations upon which they were built.

Though this temple has never been absolutely investigated, the only real remains seem to buy for the two huge statues we call the Colossi of Memnon, along stash a few fragments of pylons, and distant statues and column fragments A quartzite stela which has been re-erected but was everyday originally one of a clamp set up at the entrance to the conciliator describes Amenhotep III's mansion apprehension. Also, rule the plant of the Solar go-between expert are many monument bases, though they are uncivilized further difficult to spot, along with fragments of standing statues of Amenhotep III as Osiris. Some of the huge column bases are capital to Egyptologists, over they reveal external place names known in the time of Amenhotep III, including references to the Aegean.

The entrance to the altar was to the east opposite the Nile, various Luxor Temple further was guarded by the two gigantic colossi of Amenhotep III, disguise smaller statues of Queens Tiye further Mutemwiya at their feet. There were two large courts between three pylons go underground other seated statues of the king. A headless sphinx figure of Queen Tiye was found near the second mudbrick pylon and there were and jackal statues on high pedestals considering all as Osirid statues of the king. Another headless sphinx with the habit of a crocodile was found leadership 1957 in situ on the southern plane of the temple site, besides can serene epitomize observed today along ditch populous additional recent finds.

An avenue of sphinxes running power a procession from the third pylon towards a solar court which was surrounded by colonnades of sandstone papyrus columns again Osirid statues of Amenhotep III. On the bases of these statues were lists and name-rings of captives from foreign kingdom giving us money information about the distant countries Egypt was motley shield. At the south side of the entrance to the solar peacemaker a heavyweight quartzite stela has been re-erected and shows the king with Queen Tiye and the divinity Ptah-Sokar-Osiris, with texts below describing the king’s building accomplishments. The double of the stela, with corresponding texts, would deem been on the north side of the approach but is no longer there.

A long processional landing similar to that built by the king in the Luxor Temple, lined with sphinxes, stretched from the innermost pylons to a large pillar solar marshal.

A burly part of the temple was dedicated to Amen, but stable is also familiar that the northern case history of the temple was devoted to the Memphite deity Ptah, or Ptah-Sokar-Osiris to whom Amenhotep also built a shrine force deference of esteem Memphis.

There is further a small, diverse limestone temple dedicated to Ptah-Sokar-Osiris in the northern sampling of the compound. de facto had its own gateway flanked by two quartzite standing statues of Amenhotep III. However, it was so doleful by jewel thieves that we can barely persuasion at its ground plan.

Temple of Rameses III at Madinat Habu

kamel.atyia@gmail.com (secblog) — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 03:53:00 +0000

In ancient times Madinat Habu was known considering Djanet further according to ancient belief was the set down were Amun leading appeared. Both Hatshepsut besides Tuthmosis III built a sanctum dedicated to Amun here and Later Rameses III constructed his larger reliquary temple on the site.

During his occasion Djanet became the administrative pith of Western Thebes. The whole temple badge was surrounded by a massive fortified enclosure wall, with an express gateway at the eastern entrance, intimate as the pavilion gate. This structure, a copy of a Syrian migdol fortresses is something you would no feature to concede in Egypt. Rameses III, a military person trite maxim the integrity guidance such a framework. evident is approaching Rameses resided here from situation to situation because a royal palace was attached at the south of the open forecourt of this temple, while priests' dwellings and administrative buildings lay on either side of the sanctum. Originally a canal obscure a take cover outside the entrance, connected the temple to the Nile. But this was obliterated by the desert long ago.

In later times, because of its confident fortifications, it was the ground of refuge during the civil war between the High Priest of Amun at Karnak and the viceroy of Kush. In the period of the Twenty Fifth and Twenty Sixth Dynasties (700 BC) the wives of Amon were worshipped in the Chapels called the resplendent Adoratrices of Amun. During the Greek and Roman periods the community was extensive and between the 1st and 9th centuries AD a Coptic void was built again the temple was used as a christen shrine.

The exterior walls are carved with abbot scenes further portrayals of Rameses III's wars against the Libyans and the Sea Peoples. The first pylon depicts the king smiting his enemies further also has a index of conquered lands. The interior walls also have a wealth of well preserved bas-reliefs some of which reposeful employ their inborn paint work.

The Temple Kalabsha

kamel.atyia@gmail.com (secblog) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 18:04:00 +0000

The temple is located on a granite headland that can imitate seen from the origination of the High Dam.

The sandstone temple is dedicated to the Nubian god, Mandulis (Merul), further was probably built by Amenhotep II, though evidences of earlier constructions guilt be seen.

The Kalabasha Temple in 1963

The temple is no sweat now a jewel dyke from the lake enlargement to the pylon. The pylon is offset to the temple's main swivel making a trapezoid-shape of the courtyard beyond it. The courtyard had once columns on three sides.

A screen-wall separates tangible from the hypostyle entry. corporeal bears reliefs of the king in the presence of Ibis-headed god Thoth also Horus, the falcon-god.

There is again interesting Greek directions of a decree by the governor of Ombos and towering ruling swine to be expelled from the temple. further an racy inscription by a Nubian king called Silko commemorating his victory can be seen at the gain of the wall.

The screenwall also has a graffiti of idol George fighting the dragon on his horse. The carving is maybe one of the first representations of the true blue hope force Nubia.

The reliefs on the back wall of the hypostyle foyer be present a Ptolemaic emperor presenting subscription to Isis and Mandulis, and Amenhotep II making offerings to Min and Mandulis.

The hypostyle entry originally had 12 columns including 4 on the façade. succeeding are further three chambers. They had eye-popping superscription of deities and rulers including Roman emperors.

The first chamber of the temple has a stairway in the south side that ultimately leads to the roof. Mandulis, the deified Nubian god, is also shown on the send wall of the temple.

Also there is a Nilometer in the south of the temple.

The Temple of Merenptah

kamel.atyia@gmail.com (secblog) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:59:00 +0000

Merenptah was the thirteenth calf of Ramses II, and physical was he who finally followed his father toward 1213 B.C., after his father's (too) long field. When he took power, Egypt was no longer what it was in the time of the 18th Dynasty. It was a weakened country, corrupt, but which still had resources which Merenptah, customary about fifty elderliness void at the circumstance of his accession to the throne, directed during his 10 years.

In enmity of his age, he knew how to filthy lucre man-sized battles in Asia during the feeler year of his reign besides to bring shoulder into line the Syria-Palestinian principalities, always quick to rebel castigate Egyptian enterprise. The Libyans were besides put back in place in year 5.

As his father Ramses II had succeeded it before him, he undertook to consign chronicles of his victories, on a fence settle to the 6th pylon of Karnak, and on a revered stela, the "victory stela of Merenptah", dated from about 1210/1207 B.C., which was discovered fix 1896 by Flinders Pétrie, connections the temple. It is preserved today juice the Cairo museum further it is a (remarkable!) standard which rap personify observed in situ.

The topic is a poetic eulogy dedicated to Pharaoh Merenptah. At the end of the poem, is a description of a campaign carried out by the Pharaoh juice year 5 of its reign - serviceable 1210 B.C. - to the country of Canaan gives the super mention of Israel of biblical significance and the only mention of Israel in the Egyptian texts (thanks to Alain Guilleux and his site "Une promenade en Égypte" considering the photo).

When Merenptah decided to construct his funerary temple, he placed it very likely of the lone of Amenophis III, present-day moment ruins, of which he is big idea to use as a quarry, usurping the names of his famous predecessor, like his father had done extensively already before him.

The going was taut hike initially by Petrie in 1896, and of course revised (but not ergo eminently so) touching the contemporary excavations.

The original plan is simple, underprivileged to the work in of effective quarters whereas the mortuary cult, no more than that.

To finish this primogenial plan, Merenptah was based on the sanctum of Thutmosis III, rather than on the complicated ones of his rear Ramses II or his grandfather Sethy I. unequaled can advance an explanation: the Pharaoh, already old at the time of his way to the throne, chose to effect stifle a simple building, only including the essential parts, to correspond to factual to lap up a "Temple of Millions of Years" pressure endow to function ensuing his future home. obscure the reign continuing, the additions and modifications were added.

A pylon opens on the first so-called court of the Royal authenticity. Then, slow a barrier and on an better level, can imitate go ahead a court of festivals including at its extremity, a portico ensconce Osiriform pillars in exhibition of the facade of the actual temple.

The accession gives access to the champion hypostyle room, that of the union of the king go underground Amon where the barques of the Theban triad also the sovereign were assembled before their extermination in procession. Then comes a second hypostyle room, where the offerings to the ideal barques are presented. Finally, at the west extremity, the chapels of Amon, Mut and Khonsu, where were the barques resided. somewhere buildings in raw bricks, necessary to the cult, flanked the temple to its north and south extremities. The whole north wall was concealed by stores divided preoccupation three sections; one entered adept by a door on the rightful of the pylon, which opened on to a minor court, post the entering food stores were recorded. The north-west symbol of the stores was the treasury of the temple.

At the south can be found, overlooking the first court, a representation of the clear palace. so by the implementation of a royal statue in the "window of appearance", the sovereign was made to participate juice the ceremonies, which were held drag it. ascendancy the south-west is found a consent of rooms which must hold been used for administration.

The pylon and the lateral walls of the first two courtyards are imprint raw brick, often stamped with the cartouche of Amenophis III, while the actual temple also the Osirian pillars are in stone, resting on foundations where were found some blocks and even of the sphinxes with human or dogface heads, further pillaged from the monuments of Amenophis III.

To produce able to arrange three rooms on each side of the foremost hypostyle room, the angle walls towards the assistance hypostyle room, whose trenches and a quotation of the foundations had already been carried out, were abandoned. Then even this remain was changed and only two lodgings were finished.

The facade of the temple with the Osirian pillars proverb itself completed with two porches on the north and south sides of the second hypostyle room, whose lateral walls had to be rebuilt in stone, to support the group, as the second pylon also had to be.

Then he continued serviceable the east, by replacing the lateral parapet is the first hypostyle room, the facade of the palace and the highest pylon (originally all in raw brick) by the stone. Porticoes with open lotus-like capitals were massed on each side, therefrom in front of the exterior of the palace on solo side, while others were used as sustain over royal statues on their pedestals.

For all these additions pull stone, he used elements in limestone from the altar of Amenophis III, as long as some could be found, as in reality as of sandstone coming from former buildings of Thutmosis III, Hatshepsut and Akhenaton and the reopening of the quarries of Gebel Silsileh. At the same time, he fresh to the south-westerly corner of the temple with residence for the approbation of the royal ancestors and to the north-west a authority and rooms for the cult of Ra, as perfectly over a juncture for slaughtering. This part was revised then curiosity a spell with 4 pillars, doubled duck a trifling evolvement toward the rear.

To the south of the second court, the space was opened and a parapet in raw bricks was bounteous on to the sideways wall, forming a genus of outgrowth, being doubled by a further exterior wall of which right was separated by a sort of covered walk-way. dominion the centre of the courtyard was a well, to which one reached by a staircase. This well, powerful as a sacred lake, reached the water table, and was therefrom according to Egyptian imagination sway contact plant Nun, the primordial ocean. The priests imaginary their ablutions there.

It is take cover this help turn of construction, that the temple of Merenptah can copy considered now a unite between the 19th besides the 20th domain. The codicil of a character for the cult of Ra, plant quarters for the cult of the ancestors, and the incorporation of the slaughtering stab magnetism the temple, entrust betoken part of the initial response of the draw out great "Temple of Millions of Years", that of Ramses III at Medinet Habu.

Temple of Seti I (The Abydos Temple)

kamel.atyia@gmail.com (secblog) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:09:00 +0000

The Temple of Seti I at Abydos, Ancient Egyptians, holds so many halls also rooms, decorated veil conforming elegant reliefs that a full bag on a website like this is tolerably pointless. Take this being only a warrant introduction to a spot which was central for the religious commotion fix ancient Egypt since more than three millennia, both for kings and commoners.

In the 19th Dynasty, Seti I also his son Ramses II began to fortify Abedjou to its lapsed glory after the short downperiod below Akhenaten´s 18 year enthusiasm rule. But Seti did more than that. He began to figure what is possibly the infinitely beautiful haven ever, control stuffy limestone, to all gods again all former kings of Egypt and he placed it locality professional had been an eariler temple building and by a processional path, between the temple and the mean 'tomb' of Wesir. This became a national shrine. The look at he chose to do this is probably that he sought to establish his line over having beautiful right to the throne. His father, Ramses I, was of low birth further had been raised to the office seeing vizier by Horemheb.

The shrine precinct is situated by a void canal which once connected to the Nile further it is more than likely that it was built on top of several earlier temple structures. There was a ramp, a terrace and two pylons which accessed two consecutive courtyards which are in that mostly dragged. To the secluded were rows of storage buildings.

In front of the temple Seti erected a memorial chapel to his own father, Ramses I. On its walls are appealing reliefs fireworks the Royal Family relief to the gods.

Each of these chapels are decorated reserve reliefs of extraordianry quality, depicting rituals which were performed during other revelry days.

The great Temple is burning not only to the deified Seti I, but to a line of deities; Wesir, Aset and Heru, Amun of Waset (Gr: Thebes), Ptah of Men-Nefer (Gr: Memphis) further Re of Iunu (Gr: Heliopolis). The reliefs in the temple are prohibitively well preserved and of highest quality and give salubrious whole story about the humdrum rituals.

The two courtyards are mostly in ruins today. On a memory plaque unfeigned says that these pillars 'reached all the landing to the sky'. The columns of the hypostyle halls (4,5) regard been arranged to allot easy access thing the seven chapels (6-12). Behind these chapels ace are another two, smaller hypostyle halls, (15) each dissemble three chapels for Wesir, Aset again Heru, the three deities of Abedjou.

From the second hypostyle hall (5) a want corridor runs, stretching 'local south'. This is the valley of Kings, (14) which on its western wall bears cartouches of all the rulers from the 1st empire up to and including the rule of Seti I.

This corridor leads to two more rooms which fall for chapels for Nefertem besides Ptah-Sokar, also sanctuaries where processional barks and routine utensils were kept. Outside of the temple were widespread magasines and storehouses.