#944 Pyramids at Giza, Cairo, Egypt

On every traveler's bucket list, and probably the most famous national icon of anywhere in the world, the pyramids of Giza are of course the only remaining wonder of the ancient world. Massive, beautiful, ancient, myth-laden, impressive, they lie in the same complex as the Sphinx. No longer easily climbed, they still pose a majestic site for all to visit. Millenia before

Christ, Egypt's complex society was functional and distinct, leaving a legacy for all who lived in the area to pass on from generation to generation.

Wadi Al-Hitan Whale Valley Egypt

Wadi Al-Hitan, Whale Valley, in the Western Desert of Egypt, contains invaluable fossil remains of the earliest, and now extinct, suborder of whales, Archaeoceti. These fossils represent one of the major stories of evolution: the emergence of the whale as an ocean-going mammal from a previous life as a land-based animal. This is the most important site in the world for the demonstration of this stage of evolution. It portrays vividly the form and life of these whales during their transition. The number, concentration and quality of such fossils here is unique, as is their accessibility and setting in an attractive and protected landscape. The fossils of Al-Hitan show the youngest archaeocetes, in the last stages of losing their hind limbs. Other fossil material in the site makes it possible to reconstruct the surrounding environmental and ecological conditions of the time.

Continent: Africa

Country: Egypt

Category: natural

Criterion: (VIII)

Date of Inscription: 2005

Iconic stories of evolution

The globally important fossils of Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley), in the Western Desert of Egypt, provide dramatic evidence of one of the iconic stories of evolution: the emergence of whales as ocean-going mammals, from their previous life as land-based animals.

Fossil of Whale

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Strictly protected World Heritage property

The World Heritage property is a strictly protected zone, set within the wider landscape of the attractive Wadi El-Rayan Protected Area. It is an exceptional global reference site because of the number, concentration, quality and accessibility of the evidence of the earliest whales, often in the form of complete skeletons, and the record of the environment that they lived in.

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Saint Catherine Area Egypt

Saint Catherine Area is an Orthodox Monastery of St Catherine stands at the foot of Mount Horeb where, the Old Testament records, Moses received the Tablets of the Law. The mountain is known and revered by Muslims as Jebel Musa. The entire area is sacred to three world religions: Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. The Monastery, founded in the 6th century, is the oldest Christian monastery still in use for its initial function. Its walls and buildings of great significace to studies of Byzantine architecture and the Monastery houses outstanding collections of early Christian manuscripts and icons. The rugged mountainous landscape, containing numerous archaeological and religious sites and monuments, forms a perfect backdrop to the Monastery.

Continent: Africa

Country: Egypt

Category: Cultural

Criterion: (I) (III) (IV) (VI)

Date of Inscription: 2002

The architecture of St Catherine's Monastery

The architecture of St Catherine's Monastery, the artistic treasures that it houses, and its domestic integration into a rugged landscape combine to make it an outstanding example of human creative genius. St Catherine's Monastery is one of the very early outstanding examples in Eastern tradition of a Christian monastic settlement located in a remote area. It demonstrates an intimate relationship between natural grandeur and spiritual commitment.

Saint Catherine Area Egypt

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Establishment of monastic communities

Ascetic monasticism in remote areas prevailed in the early Christian church and resulted in the establishment of monastic communities in remote places. St Catherine's Monastery is one of the earliest of these and the oldest to have survived intact, being used for its initial function without interruption since the 6th century.

The St Catherine's area, centred on the holy mountain of Mount Sinaï (Jebel Musa, Mount Horeb), like the Old City of Jerusalem, is sacred to three world religions: Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.

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Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae Egypt

Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae is an outstanding archaeological area contains such magnificent monuments as the Temples of Ramses II at Abu Simbel and the Sanctuary of Isis at Philae, which were saved from the rising waters of the Nile thanks to the International Campaign launched by UNESCO, in 1960 to 1980. The open-air Museum of Nubia and Aswan brings together cultural properties closely associated with the unfolding of a long sequence of Egyptian Pharaonic history. In addition to the complexes of Abu Simbel and Philae the site includes the temples of Amada, of Derr, those of Ouadi Es Sebouah, Dakka and Maharraqah, the temple of Talmis, and the kiosk of ak-Kartassi, the temple of Beit el Ouali which are both rare and ancient. To these must be added the astonishing granite quarries of Aswan, exploited by pharaohs from early antiquity, where colossal unfinished obelisk-like monuments have been discovered.

Continent: Africa

Country: Egypt

Category: Cultural

Criterion: (I)(III) (VI)

Date of Inscription: 1979

An archaeological zone

An Archaeological zone of primary importance extends from Aswan to the Sudanese border. Aswan, situated north of the First Cataract, was an essential strategic point where, since prehistoric times, victorious expeditions had been mounted leading to a lasting domination of Nubia, the country to the south, rich in gold and other minerals, in ivory and in precious wood. To each of the great periods of Egyptian history there corresponds, if only partially, a seizure of Nubia, which enjoyed the role of a natural annex to the kingdom.

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The Sovereignty of the Pharaohs

The sovereignty of the pharaohs was solidly established during the New Empire. After the military conquest, towards 1550 BC, Nubia virtually became a colony, administered by a governor, whose fiscal and commercial income was transferred to Aswan. With the fall of the New Empire (c. 1070 BC) Nubia again entered a period of prosperity during the Graeco-Roman period and during the first years of the Christian era, until the triumph of Islam.

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Memphis and its Necropolis Egypt

Memphis and its Necropolis – the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur ;The capital of the Old Kingdom of Egypt has some extraordinary funerary monuments, including rock tombs, ornate mastabas, temples and pyramids. In ancient times, the site was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The ensemble at Memphis embraces a number of exceptional monuments of great antiquity. The step pyramid of the first pharaoh of the Memphis period, constructed entirely in limestone, is the oldest known architectural structure of this type, from regularly cut stone. At Giza, one of the oldest boats preserved today, the solar barge was discovered intact in the complex around the Pyramid of Cheops. The archaic necropolis of Saqqara dates back to the period of the formation of the pharaonic civilization. The exceptional historic, artistic and sociological interest of these monuments bears witness to one of the most brilliant civilizations of this planet.

Continent: Africa

Country: Egypt

Category: Cultural

Criterion: (II) (III) (VI)

Date of Inscription: 1979

Extraordinary funerary monuments

The capital of the Old Kingdom of Egypt has some extraordinary funerary monuments, including rock tombs, ornate mastabas, temples and pyramids. In ancient times, the pyramids were considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

The Pyramid

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Unified Egyptian kingdom

The first sovereign of the unified Egyptian kingdom, Menes or Narmer, ordered the construction of a new capital in the area around the Nile Delta, the City of Menes, Mennufer, also known as Huta-Ka-Pta or dwelling of the Ka of Ptah, the most important sanctuary dedicated to the god of creative force, depicted as a ram-headed artisan working intently to shape humanity on his potter's wheel.

The grandeur of Memphis, as it was known to the ancient Greeks, all that survive today are a few ruins of the sanctuary of Ptah, from which have come many votive statues depicting pharaohs and dignitaries and monumental necropolises.

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Historic Cairo Egypt

Historic Cairo Tucked away amid the modern urban area of Cairo lays one of the world's oldest Islamic cities, with its famous mosques, madrasas, hammams and fountains. Founded in the 10th century, it became the new centre of the Islamic world, reaching its golden age in the 14th century. The historic centre of Cairo bears impressive material witness to the international importance, on the political, strategic, intellectual and commercial levels, of the city during the medieval period. There are few cities in the world as rich as Cairo in old buildings: the historic centre on the eastern bank of the Nile includes no less than 600 classified monuments dating from the 7th to 20th centuries, distributed over various parts of the well-preserved urban fabric, which represent forms of human settlement that go back to the middle Ages.

Continent: Africa

Country: Egypt

Category: Cultural

Criterion: (I) (IV)(VI)

Date of Inscription: 1979

The death of the Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam

In the 7th century, following the death of the Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam, Arab armies marched with great speed to conquer neighbouring lands. In 640 the army of the Caliph Omar reached the Nile, occupied Babylon, and founded across from it his own capital al-Fustat, surrounded by an enclosure wall. There the caliph built the Mosque of the Prophet in Medina: enclosing a simple courtyard surrounded by brick walls, it perfectly embodies the essence of Islam, severe and almost military in character.

Historic Cairo

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During the domination of the Abbasids

During the domination of the Abbasids, al-Fustat gradually declined in importance and was replaced by the northern suburb of al-Askar, the military camp that gradually gathered more and more buildings, such as the palace of the governor, houses, shops and a mosque.

In 870 the new Governor Ahmed Ibn-Tulun made Egypt independent of the Abbasid Caliphate and founded in the north-eastern area a splendid new capital, al Qatai. This city was destroyed at the beginning of the 10th century, when the Abbasids regained control of the country.

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Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis Egypt

Thebes, the city of the god Amon, was the capital of Egypt during the period of the Middle and New Kingdoms. With the temples and palaces at Karnak and Luxor, and the necropolises of the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens, Thebes is a striking testimony to Egyptian civilization at its height. Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis was inscribed as World Heritage Site in 1979. Thebes contains the finest relics of the history, art and religion of ancient Egypt, of which it was the capital in its period of greatest splendour.

Continent: Africa

Country: Egypt

Category: Cultural

Criterion: (I) (III)(VI)

Date of Inscription: 1979

Fabulous site of Luxor and Karnak

Hundreds of sovereigns, from pharaohs to Roman emperors, glorified the city with architecture, obelisks and sculpture. The exaltation of life found expression in the Thebes of the Living, identifiable in the fabulous site of Luxor and Karnak, on the right bank of the Nile, the site of the temples dedicated to the divine triad of Montu, Amon and Mut, while the celebration of death took shape in the Thebes of the Dead.

The Ancient Egyptian Art

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The city was sacred to GOD

From the Middle Kingdom to the end of the ancient era, the city was sacred to the god Amon, the supreme Sun God: temples of incomparable splendour and size were dedicated to him. The temple of Luxor, built by Amenophis III and Ramesses II, was connected to the great sanctuary of Karnak by a long triumphal boulevard lined by sphinxes that led to its entrance, preceded by a pair of obelisks made from pink granite.

The entrance to the temple is adorned with scenes from the Syrian and Hittite military campaign and leads to the great courtyard of Ramesses II and to the chapel that served as a storehouse for the boats, dedicated to the triad of Amon, the father, Mut, the mother, represented in the form of a vulture or a lion, and Khonsu, the lunar son of the couple. The second complex, with a magnificent and immense entrance and colonnade, a courtyard, and a hall crowned with tall columns, was built at the command of Amenophis III.

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Abu Mena Egypt

Abu Mena is located south of Alexandria, between Wadi el-Natrun and Alexandria itself. The church, baptistry, basilicas, public buildings, streets, monasteries, houses and workshops in this early Christian holy city were built over the tomb of the martyr Menas of Alexandria, who died in AD 296. Built in the 3rd century, the monastery commemorates an Alexandrine soldier, Menas, who was an officer in Diocletian's army. Menas refused to kill any Christian after his army won. He declared his Christianity publicly, which was a tremendous motive for other Christians to bear the suffering and abuse from Diocletian's army. Legend has it that Menas's remains were brought back from Phrygia by camel and were buried where the animal refused to walk any more. Water welled up in the desert at that spot, filling the area with vines and olive trees, as a result of which it is known as St Menas's Vineyards.

Continent: Africa

Country: Egypt

Category: Danger List

Criterion: (IV)

Date of Inscription: 1979

Pilgrimage city

Archaeological excavations since 1900 have revealed that Abu Mena grew rapidly in the course of the 5th and 6th centuries. By 600 the oasis had become a pilgrimage city, centred on the great basilica complex. Archaeological excavations revealed an entire town with houses and cemeteries. They even found the house of the potters who made flasks, their shop, and the remains of some flasks, lamps and toys.

Modern Monastery Abu Mena Egypt

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Encourage for Christian Pilgrims

Built in the 5th century to accommodate the increasing number of Christian pilgrims, the Thermal Basilica used to store the curative waters used for the heated baths and pools surrounding the basilica. Pilgrims would fill small clay flasks (ampullae) with water from the basilica. The flasks were stamped with the seal of St Menas, showing the martyr standing between two kneeling camels. During the 5th and 6th centuries many buildings were erected around the Thermal Basilica, including a monastery on its north side.

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Farafra White Desert

Farafra White Desert - World Tourism will discuss about the White Desert Farafra attraction which houses the second largest in size when viewed from the west which is located in the Egyptian city that has the smallest enduduk there, near latitude 27.06 ° North and longitude 27, 97 ° east. White Desert Farafra is located in Egypt's Western Desert, approximately mid-way between Dakhla and Bahariya.

White Desert Farafra has 5,000 inhabitants counted in 2002, especially for people living in the White Desert and the Farafra city mostly inhabited by local tribes, the Bedouin tribes. Traditional architecture of part of a fairly complete, simple, smooth, no-frills, all from the color of mud. The pride of local tourism efforts to secure a guaranteed local culture. Also located near Farafra White Desert hot springs are located in the Bir Sitta and El-Mufid lake.

A main geographic attraction White Desert Farafra is its White Desert, also known as Sahara el Beyda, with another name which means the Sahara desert. White Desert of Egypt is located 45 km or about 28 miles from the northern town of Farafra White Desert. Desert that has color, creamy white and has a large limestone formations made ​​of the result of occasional sandstorms in the area. White Desert Farafra is the typical tourist attractions visited by several schools in Egypt, as the location for a camping trip school students there.

Medinet Habu

Medinet Habu is the last wall standing of Ramsses III mortuary temple, an important structure of the New Kingdom period at locations with the same name in the West Bank of Luxor in Egypt. Wall built in the 12th century BC it had reached 60 feet high (nearly 18 meters) and 75,000 square feet filled with relief decoration and history. The walls are relatively well maintained and surrounded by a large mudbrick enclosure.
And now the wall has become one of the walls - the walls of the historic and famous in the world.

Abydos

Abydos is a common English name of one of the most ancient city of Upper Egypt, and also from eight names which is the capital of Upper. The city was called Abdju in the ancient Egyptian language (technically AbDw 3bdw or transcribed from hieroglyphs), which means "hill of the symbol or relic", a reference to a holy relic in which the head of Osiris was preserved. Considered one of the most important archaeological sites of Ancient Egypt, the holy city of Abydos was the site of ancient temples, including Umm el-Qa'ab, a royal necropolis where early pharaohs were buried. The tomb began to be seen as highly significant burial and in later times it became desirable to be buried in the area, leading to the growth of the city's importance as a site of worship.

The Sphinx

The sphinx is a mythical creature with a lion's body and a human head. The sphinx, in Greek tradition, has the haunches of a lion, the wings of a great bird, and the face and breast of a woman. She is mythicised as treacherous and merciless. Those who cannot answer her riddle suffer a fate typical in such mythological stories, as they are killed and eaten by this ravenous monster. Unlike the Greek sphinx which was a woman, the Egyptian sphinx is typically shown as a man (an androsphinx). In addition, the Egyptian sphinx was viewed as benevolent in contrast to the malevolent Greek version and was thought of as a guardian often flanking the entrances to temples.

Generally the role of sphinxes is associated with architectural structures such as royal tombs or religious temples. The oldest known sphinx was found in Gobekli Tepe, Turkey and was dated to 9,500 BC.

Cairo

Cairo is the capital of Egypt which is the largest city in Africa and most populous. Cairo also as a center of Islamic science. The world's oldest university of Al Azhar in Cairo as well. Building homes, buildings are very thick with ancient Islamic architecture. Cairo is the nickname for the city of a thousand minarets. Because of the mosques in Cairo have a minimum of two towers.

Raya Cairo area has a population of around 16 million inhabitants. This city is the only city in Africa which has a metro system. Islamic Cairo, one of the areas in Cairo, is a world heritage protected by UNESCO began in 1979.

Alexandria

Alexandria is the second largest city in Egypt, with a population of 4.1 million, extending about 32 km (20 miles) along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the north central states, but also the largest city lying directly on the Mediterranean coast. It is Egypt's largest seaport, serving about 80% of Egypt's imports and exports.

In Alexandria there is a sphinx and the ancient Roman theater. The Great Lighthouse included in the Seven Wonders of the World. Many tourists are interested to visit Alexandria as a very beautiful place.

Alexandria was founded around a small pharaonic town c. 331 BC by Alexander the Great. It remained the capital of Egypt for nearly a thousand years, until the Muslim conquest of Egypt in the year 641, when a new capital was founded at Fustat (Fustat later absorbed into Cairo).