What you will see in the city of Aswan in Egypt?

Aswan is a city in the south of Egypt, some 680 km south of Cairo, just below the Aswan Dam and Lake Nasser, with a population of 275,000. Aswan is much quieter and smaller than cities of Cairo and Luxor. 
Aswan is the smallest of the three major tourist cities on the Nile. The most southerly of the three, it has a large population of Nubian people, mostly resettled from their homeland in the area flooded by Lake Nasser. Aswan has numerous granite quarries which are at the origin of most of the obelisks of Luxor. Aswan is the ancient Egyptian gateway to Africa.

What you will see in Aswan

Aswan city and even the eastern shore

Nubian Museum. Very well organized, the characteristics of Nubian treasures recovered before the flooding of Nubia.

Unfinished Obelisk, (south of Aswan). The largest obelisk known ancient carved directly bedrock.

Fatimid Cemetery (south end of Aswan). The old faded glory of the Fatimid empire can be seen on the cemetery in ruins.

Ferial Gardens (southern end of the Corniche). It is a pleasant walk, made even more enjoyable by the fact that you can walk right into the gardens Ferial at its southern end. A park that is as relaxing as beautiful.

The river and the islands

The island of Elephantine: Nubian villages of Aswan & Museum. Nubian villages of Siou and Koti occupy this island.Also houses the famous temples and nilometers Sati, Khnum (ancient rams head of God) and Pepinakht-Heqaib.Mövenpick Resort on the island. The Museum of Aswan at the southern end of the island houses objects found during escavations on Elephantine Island.

Aswan Botanical Gardens (on all Cooks island west of the island of Elephantine). Lord Kitchener, who owned 6.8 hectare island in the 1890s was converted into a botanical garden. Filled with birds and hundreds of species of plants and palm trees. Accessible via a felucca ride.

Seheyl Island (just north of the old Aswan Dam). 7:00 to 4:00 p.m.. Welcome Nubian villages. Well known for its excellent beaded jewelry. Also the location of the Famine Stele.

-Tombs of the Nobles. The hills of the northern West Bank are filled with tombs carved into the rock of the princes of the Old Kingdom to the Roman period. 6th Dynasty tombs, some of which form linked family complexes, contain important biographical texts.

Mekhu-Tombs & Sabni - reliefs show the invasion of Nubia 
- Tomb of Sarenput II - One of the most beautiful tombs and preserved 
- Tomb of Harkhuf - Hieroglyphs 
- Tomb of Hekaib - reliefs show scenes of combat and hunting 
- Tomb of Sarenput II - Six pillars decorated with reliefs 
- Kubbet al Hawa - Located on the hill above the other tombs. Breathtaking views of the Nile

Kubbet el-Hawa (top of the hill above the Tombs of the Nobles). Small shrine / tomb of a local sheikh and holy man.The climb is rewarded with a breathtaking view of Aswan, the Nile and the surrounding landscape, richly evoked in the translation of the Arabic name of the place, "the dome of the wind."

Mausoleum of Mohammed Shah Aga Khan (above, in the West Bank). Tomb of the 48th Imam of the sect Islami and his wife. Visible from the outside, although closed to the public.

Monastery of St Simeon .. The history of the monastery of St. Simeon dates back to the 7th century, and survived as long as a Christian stronghold of southern Egypt until destroyed by Saladin in 1173. While he was still in use it housed 300 monks, and could also receive up to 100 pilgrims at a time. The monastery was surrounded by a wall 10 meters high, and doubled as a fortress. Apparently, the monastery has not returned to its original use after the destruction of Saladin. To get here, ride a camel or on foot from the Tombs of the Nobles.

Around Aswan

The High Dam. Despite being a very important piece of infrastructure, the Aswan High Dam is (to put it delicately) a bit of disappointment, even for amateurs dam.

Temple of Philae (Agilkia the island). Built in honor of Isis, was the last ancient temple built in the classic style of Egyptian architecture. Construction began in about 690 BC. It was moved from its original location on the island of Philae, at its new location on the island Agilkia, after the flooding of Lake Nasser. A large multinational team relocated Philae UNESCO and a number of other temples that now dot the shores of Lake Nasser. You can see the original submerged island a short distance, punctuated by steel columns used in the process of moving. Do not miss the sound and light show at night, see picture on the right, the less cheesy Sound and Light "extravagances". On your feet, look out for extremely creative guards who will do everything in their power to get your photos, or to highlight hieroglpyhs you can obviously see you all for some baksheesh (tip)! Note also the reuse of the temple as a Christian church, with crosses carved in bas-reliefs ancient hieroglyphics and images of the Egyptian gods carefully defaced.There is graffiti from the 1800s. change

Kalabsha Temple. As Philae, this temple and its surrounding ruins were moved by UNESCO to save them from the flood waters of Lake Nasser. The main temple was built in the Nubian fertility and sun god Marul during the reign of Emperor Augustus. Do not miss the Kiosk Qirtasi and amazing temple of Beit Al-Wali built by Ramesses II.

Abu Simbel. Most people use Aswan as a base to see this magnificent temple. There is a train leaving at three o'clock, and is usually organized by your hotel. See the article by Abu Simbel for details.

International Sculpture Park Aswan. Sculptors of the world exhibit their pieces here each spring for the International Sculpture Symposium. The works are all created in Aswan (on the terrace of the Hotel Basma) and when you finish made to this site and exhibited alongside each other in view of the old quarry.