Aswan city (Egypt) is the ancient city of Swenett, later known as Syene, which in antiquity was the frontier town of Ancient Egypt. facing the south, later was identified as Eilithia by the Greeks and Lucina by the Romans during their occupation of Ancient Egypt because of the similar association of their goddesses with childbirth.
Aswan was the link between two cultures: Egyptian and Nubian.
The surrounding land was rich in materials: the Aswan quarries were the source granite, sandstone and quartz.
In the eastern desert there were iron mines where red ochre was extracted for paint. And the largest sandstone quarry in Egypt was situated at Jabal El Silsila, further northwards.
In April 2018, the Egyptian Minister of Antiquities announced the discovery of the head of the bust of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius at the Temple of Kom Ombo during work to protect the site from groundwater.
Early travelers
Greeks, Macedonians, Carians Romans, and Egyptians travelled to Aswan. All fell under the spell of its beauty. Strabo the Roman geographer, Ibn Khaldun the historian-diplomat of mediaeval times, Shelley and Keates the nineteenth-century romantics and countless others succumbed to the legendary river .Its fabled ruins, and the healthy climate and breathtaking sunsets of Aswan.
Among the people who left their mark at Aswan were Sir F. Grenfell who, before starting his campaign in the Sudan, took time to clear many of the rock tombs at Kubbet el Hawa (1885-86). Lady Cecil, the wife of a diplomat, who also cleared a tomb, and Lord Kitchener, who imported and planted a large variety of African and Indian plants, tropical trees, exotic plants from all over the world on one of the islands.
Aswan Dam or the English Dam was built during the time of the English occupation in Egypt and designed by An English designer his name is Sir William Wellcocks
The High Dam was built during the time of President Nasser under the supervising of the Soviet Union
Philae temple a beautiful archeological site was built more than 2000 years ago. And rescued by the Unesco during the sixties.
The ancient granite quarries where the unfinished obelisk is still laying from the time of queen Hatshepsut.
Elephantine Islands with an easy acces to the temple of God khunum and the beautiful Nubian villages and the Movenpick hotel
Klabsha temple the first temple relocated on the Nubian side 40 km from the original one in 1958 AD.
The temple of Abu Simble the best-preserved rock cut temple in Egypt where Ramses II show off his power over the Nubian region.
The color of the River in Aswan and the beautiful islands and drifting air could be the best for a felucca ride.
From the relaxing Nile side city of Aswan, you have access to many great day tours and activities. Visit Abu Simbel or other notable archeological sites. Enjoying the beautiful scenery of Nile Valley with an easy access to Kom Ombo and Edfu temples or enjoy different activities in Aswan like an afternoon sailing on the Nile or a visit to the Unfinished Obelisk and the Nubian Museum.
