Cultural sightseeing in Egypt. What to visit - museums, temples, castles and palaces

Tourists from all over the world come to Egypt to relax on the famous resorts' sandy beaches and plunge into the atmosphere of the Ancient World. Dynastic period structures and the ruins of necropolises, majestic palaces and mosques, colorful oriental bazaars and picturesque oases surprise and conquer with their splendor. Near Cairo on the desert plateau of Giza is a complex of pyramids. The history of their construction is full of mysteries. The ancient Egyptians used pyramids for the burial of the pharaohs. Their impressive size and ideal proportions boggle the imagination. The largest structure is the Pyramid of Cheops with a height of 146 m. The complex includes the pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure, the burial place of Egyptian queens.

The symbol of Egypt is the Great Sphinx. It has protected the peace of the pharaohs from time immemorial. The giant statue is a mythical creature with a lion's body and a human head. The face of the Sphinx is turned towards the Nile. Between the monument's forelegs, there was a sanctuary for sacrifices. Today, Egyptians call it "The Father Of Horror". On the banks of the Nile are stone Colossi of Memnon. Eighteen-meter statues depict the Pharaoh Amenhotep III. The ruler sits with hands folded on his knees, looking at the rising sun. The symmetry of the two sculptures' faces surprises with its accuracy.

Not far from Luxor, in a mountain gorge, is the Valley of the Kings - a monument of the ancient civilization. Sixty-four tombs of pharaohs are cut in the thick of the cliffs. The most famous tomb is the burial place of Tutankhamun. Another necropolis - Sakkara - is located south of Cairo. The length of the complex is 8 km. Walls of the tombs are decorated with Egyptian hieroglyphics. Of greatest interest is the Step Pyramid of Djoser. The Abu Simbel rock rises on the west bank of the Nile. Two temples are carved in it in honor of Pharaoh Ramses II and his first wife, Nefertari. On the river's eastern bank is the Karnak Temple dedicated to the sun god Amun-Ra, the goddess Mut, and their son Khonsu. Inside you can see ancient wall drawings. The Alley of Sphinxes runs along the temple complex. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The Temple of Edfu was built in the 3rd century and became the second largest in ancient Egypt. Walls of the structure are dotted with hieroglyphics. In the center of the Nile is the sacred island of Philae, where according to the legend Osiris was buried. Originally, there was a temple complex on the island, which consisted of three monumental temples and an elegant pavilion. They were subsequently moved to Agilika Island. On the Sinai Peninsula, you will find Saint Catherine's Monastery. Founded in the 4th century, it is still operating. The monastery contains relics of the saint. In the 10th century, a mosque was built near the building. Tourists are recommended to visit the Great Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha erected in Cairo in honor of the Egyptian pasha. The example of Islamic architecture is adorned with two minarets and a dome. The mosque hosts public Friday prayers.

The building is located on the grounds of the Citadel of Salah Ed-Din, the main Cairo's attraction. The Inaccessible castle was erected in the 12th century by an Egyptian sultan. In the courtyard of the fortress, there is a statue of a lion. In Old Cairo, there is the most ancient Christian religious structure in Egypt - St. Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church. It keeps an iconostasis made of wood and ivory and over a hundred icons, the oldest of which date back to the 8th century. Al-Azhar Mosque is of great importance for Muslims around the world. It gave shelter to fugitives and pilgrims and served as a place for teaching Islamic doctrine.

Several bridges lead from Cairo to the island of Rhoda where the Manial Palace is located. The building's architecture combines several different styles. The royal palace houses a museum, whose exposition is represented by the royal family's everyday objects. In Hurghada, there is the colorful Palace of a Thousand and One Nights. It was built especially for tourists who want to enjoy the culture of Egypt. Dance performances of men wearing traditional Tanura skirts regularly take place in the atmosphere of oriental fairytales. Be sure to explore Montaza Palace in Alexandria. In the early 20th century, the majestic structure served as the residence of King Farouk. Today, the palace is surrounded by a picturesque park ensemble with beaches on the shore of a cozy bay.

In the same place, there is a monument of medieval architecture - the Citadel of Qaitbay. The fortress was built in the 15th century on the site of one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Lighthouse of Alexandria. The citadel had protected Egypt from the Ottoman Empire ships for more than half a century. In the 19th century, the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities was opened in Cairo on Tahrir Square. Among its exhibits are many ancient artifacts, including unique items. The museum exposition covers periods of the historical development of Ancient Egypt. On the site of the destroyed Alexandria library today you can see a modern building striking with its architecture. Bibliotheca Alexandrina is a complex of several museums, a reading room, and a cinema hall. The historical and cultural heritage of Egypt is collected in these museums. The reading room can accommodate more than two thousand visitors.