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Siwa
Siva - a large oasis, situated at a distance from the center of the country, 600 km west of Cairo and only 50 km from the border with Libya.
Initially, the bulk of the population of the oasis were berebery, but in the XX century, and especially after the Second World War, the area of Ziba acquired great importance as a strategic point near the unfriendly Egypt Libya. Thousands of migrants from the center of the country, the military, the workers arrived at Ziba. Asphalt road was paved in Sivu from the seaside town of Marsa Matruh.
Until recently, required special permission to visit Siwa, but a few years ago, it was formally abolished, however, for travel in the direction of Libya, you still need special permission. In theory, this paper is issued only in Cairo, but seems to really solve the problem in most Siva at the police station.
Probably because of all the oases in the Egyptian Western Desert, Siwa is worthy of the greatest interest. Green island in a sea of sand has more than 300,000 palm trees and tens of thousands of olive trees. In the town of Siwa, on a hill surrounded by ancient adobe dwellings, the fortress of Shali.
Around the Oasis
In the town Agurmi, a few kilometers to the east, are the ruins of the Temple of Amun, referring to the 26 Dynasty (525-630 BC). Dzhabl El IATA (Mountain dead), the burial complex of the Roman era. Juba Spring, or the Baths of Aphrodite, artesian spring, which normally bathe residents.
Bilad al-Rum, a village 15 km from Siwa, where the preserved ancient burial places, and there is also reason to believe that this is where he was buried, Alexander of Macedon.
Getting there
West Delta bus company regularly go to Ziba of Alexandria, several small buses and taxis connect Ziba and Marsa Matruh. The new road connects with Ziba Bahariya Oasis (430 km), but regular bus service does not exist. However, in most cases you can negotiate with the driver of a truck next to Ziba. Taxi from Baharia to Ziba will cost 180-250 pounds for the entire car. |
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Giza
On the outskirts of Cairo, Giza, located a architectural ensemble consisting of the three highest of the pyramids in Egypt.
Pyramid of Cheops
The most important and famous of the Egyptian pyramids - Pyramid of Cheops (completed around 2590 BC. Er.). At the bottom it is a square with sides of 227.5 m and the height of the construction was 146.6 m (now a pyramid at 9 feet below - the upper tiers of the hit), it covers an area of 5.3 hectares. The construction of the pyramid took about 2.3 million stone blocks weighing 2.5 tons each, and the total amount of the pyramid is 2.34 million cubic meters. m. Individual units, according to medieval historians, so accurately were adjusted to each other, which between them could not even stick a knife blade.
Inside the pyramid of Cheops no inscriptions or decorations. There are only three "burial chambers" - a room about 11 meters in length, a width of 5 meters and a height of almost 6 meters, with walls decorated with granite slabs. But the sarcophagus of red granite is empty - no mummy of the pharaoh, no funeral utensils are not preserved. It is believed that the pyramid was plundered in ancient times.
On the south side of the pyramid is a structure, reminiscent of a ship. This so-called solar boat - one of the five, which Cheops had to go to the underworld. In 1954, the boat length 43.6 m, dismantled in 1224 parts, was discovered during excavations. It is built of cedar (without nails), and, as seen in the preserved traces of mud on it, during the lifetime of Khufu was his personal vehicle.
Pyramid of Khafre
The second largest pyramid - Chephren, built on 40 years later than the first. Outwardly, it seems that the pyramid of Khafre's even bigger than Cheops, but in reality it is a little less. Side of the base of the pyramid Khafre - 215 m, height - 136 m (as well as the Pyramid of Cheops, it was at 9 meters above). Here, more clearly view the entire complex of structures consisting of a temple in the valley, the roads, "the temple of dead" and the actual pyramid. The lower church, which once stood 25 statues of pharaohs, known for that here was mummification of the Chephren.
Pyramid of Menkaure
Completes the ensemble of the great pyramids of Giza pyramid Menkaure. Its construction is expected to be completed in 2505 BC. er. This pyramid is much smaller than its predecessor - the 108 meters at the base, the initial height - 66,5 m (today - 62 m). The only burial chamber of the pyramid cut in its bedrock.
Other pyramids
The Great Pyramids - only part of the vast necropolis of Giza. Beside them is a complex of several small pyramids, where were buried the wife of Pharaoh, and the tombs of priests and high officials. At the foot of the vast plateau of Giza are numerous funerary temples, each of which itself is also quite interesting, and the famous Great Sphinx, carved out as the most colossal statues of Giza, from solid rock. Its length - 73 m, height - 20 m. It is believed that the Sphinx was "built" during the construction of the pyramid Khafre, and his face (almost destroyed by the Mamluks and the nuclei of the Napoleonic artillery) has the features of this particular pharaoh - the brother and successor of Cheops. Every evening at the foot of the pyramids is a colorful-light performance "Sound and Light."
Around town
30 km south of Giza, is another famous destination - Saqqara - the first capital of the necropolis pharaoh Menes united Egypt - Memphis. There are dozens of relatively small tombs, pyramids and temples. Famous is the place to make unique Step Pyramid of Djoser (the first pharaoh of III-th dynasty, who lived 4,700 years ago) - the oldest of the Egyptian pyramids. This is not a classic pyramid - essentially, it was a combination of several tombs, mastaba ("mastaba" - a rectangular building with sloping walls and flat top). This pyramid, called by scientists the "mother of the Pyramid... read more |
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Abu Simbel
Nubia - a historical area in the middle reaches of the Nile, from the first Nile cataract at Aswan to the north and almost to the Sudanese capital Khartoum in the south - another focus of historical monuments.
A true jewel of Nubia - the temples at Abu Simbel, a small town, located almost on the border with Sudan, 280 km south of Aswan. Ramses II ordered to build this great temple to commemorate his victory over the Hittites. There he commanded to produce four huge statues depicting the him with a smile, looking into the wilderness. Each of the colossi height of about 20 m surrounded by numerous smaller pieces, which depict members of his extended family and children whom he had more than 200. The interiors are richly decorated with colored reliefs. Next to the big temple in the rock carved smaller temple dedicated to the goddess Hathor, which gives the characteristics of Queen Nefertari, and the facade of the church cut deep niches, which are six figures of Ramses II and Nefertari in height over 10 meters, twice a year - February 22, and October 22 - Abu Simbel is possible to observe a unique light show: at 6 o'clock in the morning the first rays of the sun penetrates through the entrance portal and illuminates the corridor length of 65 m, leading to a cult niche of the sanctuary, not for one second without touching the statue of Ptah, but was detained on 6 minutes to Amun Ra and to then within 12 minutes of bright light of Ramses II.
In the 60 years of the twentieth century was carried out a unique operation - the temples at Abu Simbel were carefully sawn and transferred to the new, higher position - they now stand at 64 m above and 180 m away from the shore, because otherwise they would absorb water reservoir them. Nasser, created with the construction of the Aswan Dam. |
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Luxor
Egypt is a real gem Luxor - a small city on the right bank of the Nile located 500 km south of Cairo. When something in its place is the famous capital of ancient Egypt, which the ancient Egyptians called Uaset, Greeks - Thebes, and the Arabs - Al-Uksur ("palaces"). In the world there is no other city where it would focus a huge amount of ancient monuments - almost one third of all the historical relics, the world's center of Archaeology. Ancient buildings on the right bank of the Nile called the "City Living" - lived here his population, and on the left - "City of the Dead", here is the royal residence and a huge necropolis - mortuary temples and tombs located in the amphitheater of cliffs, surmounted by Dehenet - West Summit (now el-Qurna). Snake Goddess Meretseger, loving silence, "Lady of the Mount, according to legend, to watch not only the king's burial, located in the Valley of the Kings and Valley of Queens, but the tomb of nobles and ordinary citizens. The giant statue of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, who called Colossi of Memnon, once stood in front of a giant memorial complex of the ruler, is now virtually destroyed.
At 67 km north of Luxor on the west bank of the Nile, near the small town of Qena, is a temple at Dendera, the most ancient religious center of Hathor the goddess of love. At 98 km north of Dendera, near the town of al-Balian is an ancient Abydos with incredible in its beauty Temple of Pharaoh Seti I, dedicated to the god Osiris, lord of the underworld. At 54 km south of Luxor is well-preserved temple of the god Khnum, the potter at Esna, and another 53 km to the south of Edfu, - the famous shrine of the god Horus, the falcon, the son of Osiris and Isis, the legendary founder of the Egyptian pharaohs and one of the best preserved temples of ancient Egypt. Temple of Kom Ombo, situated on a hill, from which the Nile is visible at the same time is dedicated to two gods - Sobek and god krokodilogolovomu sokologolovomu God choir.
Nearby are other famous royal temples - Ramesseum dedicated to the memory of Ramses II the Great, a complex of Ramesses III at Medinet-Abu, the temple of Seti I at Qurna and the terraced temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahri. Here, on the west coast, among the towering, sun-baked rock was Deir el-Medine - a small village where the workers lived, and artists, carved in the rock tombs of kings and nobles.
In "City Living" are world famous Luxor and Karnak temples, the avenue of sphinxes once united in a single ensemble. Karnak temple - a big and complex structure than Luxor, comparable only to that of the pyramids of Giza. This is one of the greatest architectural structures of the ancient world. Karnak temple complex includes buildings, were built over several centuries by many pharaohs. The most impressive place in the temple - the columned hall of Pharaoh Seti I - 134 towers of 16 meters each, from top to bottom decorated with colored reliefs. On the south side to the Karnak temple adjoins a small sacred lake, on the shores of which stands a huge granite scarab beetle, considered sacred in Egypt. Every evening in the Karnak temple, like the pyramids of Giza, is colored-light show "Sound and Light."
In "City of the Dead" is the famous "Valley of the Kings, burial place of the Pharaohs (about 40 tombs), here was discovered the tomb of Tutankhamen. Of great interest is the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, which is fundamentally different from other temples of ancient Egypt. According to scientists, he was a model for further development of the architecture almost everywhere. |
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Mersa Matruh
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Mersa Matruh, located 290 km from Alexandria - a kind of "capital of the Egyptian Riviera." Here, unusually blue and transparent water. The town became famous in the days of Cleopatra, who lived here at one of the palaces. A few kilometers from the city at the foot of the rock is "bathing Cleopatra", where the queen is said to have taken a bath. In the town Agiba, 24 km from the town are the ruins of the temple and the fort built by Ramses II. |
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Scientists and scribes
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The clerks, employed by the Pharaohs were able to read, write and take: this they were taught for many years. The scribes were surrounded by respect and osvobozhdali from taxes and works in the flood season. The scribes recorded the decision taken by the pharaoh. They calculated the taxes paid by peasants, raw materials, distributed by the craftsmen who worked on the pharaoh. On the banks of the Nile scribes noted the height of the floods and water levels in reservoirs. The scribes were in a written instrument, consisting of a wooden plate with paint and Kalam (reed sticks to the letter), and flask of water for breeding colors. To prepare the dyes used rasterty coal and ocher - red subscribed to date and the beginning of a paragraph. The records were on the scroll of papyrus - plants in abundance covered the banks of the Nile. Scribes mastered the art of hieroglyphic writing, more than 700 characters. To write the characters needed a lot of time. For business contracts and letters used by another other kind of writing - the hieratic, ie cursive writing with simplified characters. In the VII century. BC Hieratic become even more simple - Demotic. Hieroglyphics used only for writing religious texts. |
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Egyptian gods and goddesses
The Egyptians were praying to the 750 gods. These gods in their belief ruled the world, where people lived, and the other world, which transferred them to the soul after death.
RA. Egyptians believed that life was created sun god Ra. Every day he began a long journey through caves and tunnels of the other world.
OSIRIS and ISIDA. OSIRIS and Isis were regarded as the king and queen of all people. Their brother Seth, god of thunder, killed Osiris, cut his body into 14 pieces and put them on the Nile. Osiris was transported to another world, where he became ruler of the dead. Every godovschinusmerti Osiris Isis mourned for him, her tears flow caused annual flooding of the Nile.
Anubis. Ancient Egyptians believed that when a person dies, his spirit continues to live Ka. God Tombs jackal-headed Anubis weighs the heart of each spacecraft weights istiny.Nedostoynye Ka rang devourer of corpses, and worthy of the kingdom of Osiris, went to where they were destined to eternal happiness. |
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