Herodotus, in the 5th Century BC, made the first list of the Wonders of the World. In this he included two of the most magnificent structures in Egypt: the Great Pyramid and the Pharos Lighthouse of Alexandria. The Great Pyramid is still standing and the ruins of the Pharos can still be seen in the waters outside the Harbor of Alexandria. When visiting, there are many ancient wonders of Egypt for you to explore. Here are some of the best:
The Nile River: In many respects, the Nile River IS Egypt. Without the Nile there would be no Egypt; modern or ancient. The river is very unique among rivers in the world. As it passes through Egypt it has no tributaries. It is a single channel as it goes from the border of Sudan to the delta. It is about as wide as it enters Egypt, as it is when it passes through Cairo. Make sure to take a sailing trip on a felucca when you are there. There are also overnight cruises available from Luxor to Aswan.
Valley of the Kings: The Valley of the Kings is a valley in Egypt where, for a period of nearly 500 years from the 16th to 11th century BC, tombs were constructed for the kings and powerful nobles of the New Kingdom (the Eighteenth to the Twentieth Dynasties of Ancient Egypt). The location of the valley is because of a pyramid shaped mountain that the tombs are located in. The valley stands on the west bank of the Nile, opposite Luxor.
Temple of Haseput: The Temple of Haseput is a complex of mortuary temples and tombs located on the west bank of the Nile, opposite the city of Luxor, Egypt. The Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut is situated beneath the cliffs at Deir el Bahari on the west bank of the Nile near the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. Designed by the architect Senemut, the mortuary temple is dedicated to the god Amon-Ra and is located near the mortuary temple of Mentuhotep II, which served as an inspiration. Hatshepsut was the only female ruler of Egypt.
The Siwa Oasis: is an oasis in Egypt, located in the Libyan Desert, 50 km east of the Libyan border, and 560 km from Cairo. Siwa Oasis is one of Egypt's isolated settlements, with 23,000 people, mostly ethnic Berbers.. Its fame lies primarily in its ancient role as the home to an oracle of Amon, the ruins of which are a popular tourist attraction. Prior to his campaign in Persia, Alexander the Great reached the oasis by following birds across the desert. The oracle confirmed him as a divine personage and the legitimate Pharaoh.
The Bibliotheca Alexandrina: The Bibliotheca is a major library and cultural center located on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea in Alexandria. It is both a commemoration of the Library of Alexandria that was lost in antiquity and an attempt to rekindle the brilliance that this earlier center of study and erudition represented. Construction work began in 1995 and after $220 million had been spent, the complex was opened on October 16, 2002. It is the most modern building in all of Egypt.
The Nile River: In many respects, the Nile River IS Egypt. Without the Nile there would be no Egypt; modern or ancient. The river is very unique among rivers in the world. As it passes through Egypt it has no tributaries. It is a single channel as it goes from the border of Sudan to the delta. It is about as wide as it enters Egypt, as it is when it passes through Cairo. Make sure to take a sailing trip on a felucca when you are there. There are also overnight cruises available from Luxor to Aswan.
Valley of the Kings: The Valley of the Kings is a valley in Egypt where, for a period of nearly 500 years from the 16th to 11th century BC, tombs were constructed for the kings and powerful nobles of the New Kingdom (the Eighteenth to the Twentieth Dynasties of Ancient Egypt). The location of the valley is because of a pyramid shaped mountain that the tombs are located in. The valley stands on the west bank of the Nile, opposite Luxor.
Temple of Haseput: The Temple of Haseput is a complex of mortuary temples and tombs located on the west bank of the Nile, opposite the city of Luxor, Egypt. The Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut is situated beneath the cliffs at Deir el Bahari on the west bank of the Nile near the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. Designed by the architect Senemut, the mortuary temple is dedicated to the god Amon-Ra and is located near the mortuary temple of Mentuhotep II, which served as an inspiration. Hatshepsut was the only female ruler of Egypt.
The Siwa Oasis: is an oasis in Egypt, located in the Libyan Desert, 50 km east of the Libyan border, and 560 km from Cairo. Siwa Oasis is one of Egypt's isolated settlements, with 23,000 people, mostly ethnic Berbers.. Its fame lies primarily in its ancient role as the home to an oracle of Amon, the ruins of which are a popular tourist attraction. Prior to his campaign in Persia, Alexander the Great reached the oasis by following birds across the desert. The oracle confirmed him as a divine personage and the legitimate Pharaoh.
The Bibliotheca Alexandrina: The Bibliotheca is a major library and cultural center located on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea in Alexandria. It is both a commemoration of the Library of Alexandria that was lost in antiquity and an attempt to rekindle the brilliance that this earlier center of study and erudition represented. Construction work began in 1995 and after $220 million had been spent, the complex was opened on October 16, 2002. It is the most modern building in all of Egypt.
About the Author:
Gary Ardnt has been traveling the world for over two years. He has visited over 40 countries and has been published in many magazines. For more information about the Wonders of Ancient Egypt, check out his website.
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