Aswan City

Aswan City was called Swenett and later as Syene during Ancient times which means the market as the city was a trade center between Egypt and the Southern Lands. It acted as Egypt's front lines to the heart of Africa that's why it played a key role in launching various expeditions to many African lands. The city was also blessed with a lot of natural resources like sandstones, granite, and quartzite, plus the largest stone quarries of ancient Egypt which were used in constructing various artifacts and monuments like obelisks, pyramids, tombs, Shrines through the time periods of ancient Egypt. It was able to gain a considerable amount of popularity throughout the 60s after the construction of the Aswan high dam led to the possible destruction of the Great Abu Simbel temple and Philae Temple but thanks to the UNESCO's effort the temples were saved in the most challenging architecture rescue mission in history. The entire city was considered one of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the category of folk art and craft.

Aswan City Attractions

Aswan city holds some of the most important and enchanting tourist attractions in Egypt such as:

Abu Simbel Temple

The temple of Abu Simbel consists of two temples that were constructed around 1224 BC by King Ramses II to honor the sacred gods who are Amon, Ptah, Re-Hor-Akhty, plus immortalize his legacy of great achievements and victories like his triumph at the battle of Kadesh against the Hittites in 1274 BC and to showcase his affection to his beloved wife Nefertiti. The temple is celebrated on the 22 of February and October when the light enters the temple and illuminate the temple and the faces of the gods.

Kom Ombo Temple

The close connection between the Nile and Aswan city led to the creation of the double Kom Ombo temple in the Ptolemaic dynasty between 180-47 BC by the hands of Ptolemy V, Kom Ombo A.K.A the temple of Sobek "the crocodile god" is believed his tears is the Nile waters, the temple also honored the sky god Hours.

Edfu Temple

One of the immortal monuments that should not be missed is Edfu temple "house of Horus" which was constructed in the Ptolemaic period between 237 BC and 57 BC on the location which is believed to be where the battle between the sky god Horus and his evil uncle Set the desert god took place.

Philae Temple

Philae temple was built in the Greco Roman period in 690 BC, it was the worship house of Isis Goddess of motherhood & the Wife of Osiris and mother of Horus.

The Unfinished Obelisk

Queen Hatshepsut (1507- 1458 BC) ordered the construction of a massive Obelisk that was broken and remained in its palace and became known as the Unfinished Obelisk of Hatshepsut.

The Location & Climate of Aswan City

Aswan city is located on the east bank of the Nile, 890 km (553 mi) south of Cairo in upper Egypt, 220KM (137 M) south of Luxor where it is by far the largest city. Aswan city is the hottest, the driest and sunniest city in the world as the average temperature in the summer months from May to September are 40 C (104 F) while in the winter from October to march the average temperature is 23 C (73.4 F). Aswan city is one of the least humid cities on the planet, with an average relative humidity of 26%, with a maximum of 42% during winter and a minimum of 16% during summer.