Egypt Museum
April 9, 2021 in Egypt ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
The old museum, located at Tahrir Square (see another post). The new museum is still in construction, but you may have seen the news about the celebration/parade of mummies from the old to the new.Read more
Tahrir square
April 9, 2021 in Egypt ⋅ 🌙 17 °C
Aka Martyr Square. The name may be familiar from 10 years ago. This is where the Arab Spring happened in Egypt. The national Museum uis along at one end. (see another post).
2 pictures at night and 2Read more
Saqqara
April 10, 2021 in Egypt ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C
The step pyramid of Djozer is located on high ground at the edge of the desert next to the Saqqara Oasis. This was designed by Imhotep, probably the most famous of the EgyptianRead more
Tombs at Saqqara
April 10, 2021 in Egypt ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C
The Saqqara complex includes many tombs from the early part of Egyptian history. In addition a number of pharoahs (not just Djozer), high ranking clerks, pharaonic officials, etc. Are interred here.Read more
Giza
April 10, 2021 in Egypt ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
Well, here they are. Of course, the only remaining of the 7 wonders of the ancient world need no introduction. Egypt has fascinated me for many years, and I've long wanted to visit here, with theRead more
Sphinx
April 10, 2021 in Egypt ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C
The other important and famous structure at Giza is, of course, the Sphinx. I won't get into all the theories about the origin of this monumental statue, except to say that it was created from aRead more
Cairo Citadel
April 11, 2021 in Egypt ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C
Originally built by Saladin in the 12th century on a high ridge over Cairo. It served as the seat of government until the 19th century. Various rulers added to the fortress complex over the years.Read more
Virgin Mary Coptic Church
April 11, 2021 in Egypt ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
This is a 4th century Coptic Church dedicated to Mary. As you might expect, there are many, many icons here that differ from what we, in the west, might be used to seeing (which are mostly Greek orRead more
St George Greek Orthodox Church
April 11, 2021 in Egypt ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C
This is a round Greek Orthodox Church built on top of an old, perhaps Roman tower, hence it's locsl nickname as the Hanging Church. There is a seminary here and a monastery not far away.
The first 3Read more
San Sergio's or Cave Church
April 11, 2021 in Egypt ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
Much is made here of the flight of the Holy Family from Herod's Slaughter of the Innocents. This church is on the site of a cave where the Holy Family is reported to have sheltered.
The 1st picture isRead more
Old Cairo
April 11, 2021 in Egypt ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
These are mostly various street scenes of part of the old city. What impressed me is the presense of Coptic, and Greek Orthodox churches, synagogue and mosques all together. The churches are coveredRead more
Alexandrian Catacombs
April 12, 2021 in Egypt ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C
The catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa dating to the 2nd century is a necropolis of the pharaonic funeral cult with several cultural influences from Greece and early Rome. I confess to being surprised toRead more
Pompey's villa
April 12, 2021 in Egypt ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C
Pompey was an important general and rival of Julius Caesar. This is the location of his home in Alexandria. While mostly in ruins a few structures remain. The most well known is his pillar in theRead more
Citadel
April 12, 2021 in Egypt ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C
This is a 15th century fortress on the end of a peninsula where the ancient lighthouse, The Pharos, was located before it was destroyed by an earthquake. The current structure is saRead more
Roman Amphitheater Complex
April 12, 2021 in Egypt ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
This complex dates to the 4th century and differs from the many such sites I've seen, especially in Turkey (see several posts in the Turkey 2 section). What makes this site different is that, inRead more
Aswan High Dam
April 13, 2021 in Egypt ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
Major water reserve and hydroelectric power station built by the Soviet Union during the 1960s. At the time, it was the longest earthen dam.
The first 3 pictures look at the dam from the top, facingRead more
Philae Temple
April 13, 2021 in Egypt ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
One of the dozens of temples relocated to preserve them after the building of the Aswan High Dam (see another post) and the subsequent flooding of Lake Nasser. The temple is on an island between theRead more
Nilometers
April 13, 2021 in Egypt ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
I have known that the pharoahs had a gauge near the 1st cataract to measure the height of the Nile, especially during the annual flood. I had understood this to be a means of knowing whether the floodRead more
Rose Granite Quarry
April 13, 2021 in Egypt ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
Rose granite has been quarried in Aswan for millennia. This is the stone used in the pyramids, for bases under statues, and more. The most significant may be as the material from which obelisks wereRead more
Abu Simbal, Rameses II
April 14, 2021 in Egypt ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
Famous rock cut temple in upper Egypt/Nubia. This was carved out of the native rock in the 13th century BCE as a commemoration of Rameses victory in the battle of Kadesh. Most of the wall decorationRead more
Abu Simbal, Hathor and Nefertari
April 14, 2021 in Egypt ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
I had not known that there is a second smaller temple at Abu Simbal, dedicated to Rameses chief wife, Nefertari and to Hathor, the mother goddess involved in creation. Hathor also has a major role inRead more
Cruising the Nile
April 15, 2021 in Egypt ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C
All except the 1st, these are various glances at the Nile River from the top deck of the Chateau Laffayette our cruise ship. The Nile has a reputation as majestic river. It's richly deserved. It makesRead more
Kom Ombo
April 15, 2021 in Egypt ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C
An unusual double temple, one side dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile headed god and the local deity as this is a prime spot for crocs. The other half is dedicated to Horus. If you look carefully, atRead more
Edfu Temple
April 16, 2021 in Egypt ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
The temple of Horus at Edfu as it currently exists from the Ptolemaic period was begun in the 3rd century BCE. It is built on the site of a smaller temple to Horus dating to at least the time ofRead more
The Valley of the Kings
April 17, 2021 in Egypt ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
Possibly related to attempts to deter tomb raiders, it is said that architect Ineni was asked to find a new place for royal burials. He located this isolated wadi at the foot of "ta dehent," aRead more











































































































































