Brief
 Aswan is
the ancient city of Swenet, which in antiquity was the frontier town of Ancient
Egypt to the south. Swenet is supposed to have derived its name from an Egyptian
goddess with the same name. This goddess later was identified as Eileithyia by
the Greeks and Lucina by the Romans during their occupation of Ancient Egypt
because of the similar association of their goddesses with childbirth, and of
which the import is "the opener". The ancient name of the city also is said to
be derived from the Egyptian symbol for trade.It stands on the east bank of the
Nile at the first cataract and is a busy market and tourist center. The modern
city has expanded and includes the formerly separate community on the island of
Elephantine.
Reasons to visit
This bustling market city in South Egypt is situated in
one of the driest spots on earth. Set on the east bank of the Nile, Aswan is a
popular place to start cruises. One of Egypt’s most ancient sites is Elephantine
Island. Take a traditional wooden felucca around the island or disembark and
explore the ruins of the Temple of Khnum. In addition to rich history and
stunning scenery, Aswan offers opportunites to experience true African culture
in the surrounding Nubian villages.
Abu Simbel
Tourists who plan to visit the wonders of Abu Simbel
should be prepared for an early start. Buses leave as early as 03:30 in the
morning, so that the heat of the sun can be avoided and also so that visitors
can arrive early in convoy and enjoy a full day sightseeing. The temples of Abu
Simbel are the main attractions here, with the enormous Temple of Ramses II
being the main attraction, followed by the equally grand Temple of Hathor, which
honours Nefertari, the wife of Ramses II, who was famed for her great beauty.
Kalabsha Temple
For something a little different from the more mainstream
Reasons to Visit in Aswan, pay a visit to the nearby Kalabsha Temple. This is
a particularly impressive Nubian monument and is just a relatively short taxi
journey from the city centre and reasonably close to the Philae Temple. Moving
the Kalabsha Temple was a major operation and around 13,000 different sections
were painstakingly transported and carefully reassembled, to give the impression
that it was originally built on this very site.
The Old Dam (Low Dam)
The Old Aswan Dam is a very important historical attraction
and was built more than 100 years ago, being completed in 1902. For its time,
the Old Dam was nothing short of a feat of engineering, stretching more than
2,000 metres / 6,560 feet in length and featuring almost 200 different openings.
Constructed to regulate the gradual draining of the River Nile and rebuilt and
raised twice over the years, the Old Dam features a sluice gate for boats,
although was never actually successful in preventing flooding, hence the need
for the subsequent arrival of the High Dam in the 1960s.
Shopping
Scents, spices, perfumes and scarves, to baskets and fine
alabaster.
Festive Celebrations
Abu Simbel Sun Festival
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