Siwa
Siwa is an isolated oasis situated in the Western Desert region of Egypt, approximately 550 km west of the capital Cairo, 305 km south-west of Marsa Matruh and some 50 km from the border with Libya. Extending some 80 km in length and 20 km in width, the oasis is one of the most isolated settlements in the country. Siwa nonetheless holds a special appeal for many travellers on account of its isolation and unique character, its natural beauty and its historical associations. The historic town of Siwa that stands on the oasis has a population of around 25,000.
Understand
Geography
History
People
The inhabitants of Siwa Oasis are distinctly different from the Egyptians of the Nile Valley, being primarily ethnic Berbers who speak a language called Siwi, as opposed to Arabic.
Get in
By bus
Buses in and out of Siwa arrive / depart from the West Delta bus station located on the main square of Siwa Town. Buses servicing the route to Marsa Matruh and on to Alexandria leave thrice daily at 7am, 5pm and 10pm. Booking ahead is well advised.
By taxi
No official shared / service taxi station exists in Siwa, but those sheruts making the journey for Marsa Matruh leave from in front of Abdu's Restaurant, across from the Yousef Hotel. Most departures occur early in the evening, but ask around to confirm this on the day. Budget on LE 20 at least.
See
- Siwa Town and the Shali
- the Temple of the Oracle - situated on the hill of Aghurmi, about 4 km east of Siwa Town
- the Temple of Amun (also known as the Temple of Umm Ubaydah) - some 200 m further along the track from the Temple of the Oracle, this structure is almost completely destroyed, owing to its dynamiting in 1896 by an Ottoman governor eager to acquire building material... An inscribed wall represents all that remains to be seen. Based on earlier drawings by pioneer explorers, however, scholars have deduced that the temple was erected by the pharaoh Nectanebo of the 30th Dynasty.
- Cleopatra's Bath - a natural spring feeds this rock pool, a popular swimming hole for locals and visitors alike
- Gebel el-Mawta (the Mountain of the Dead), tombs open when the guardians are present, daily 7am-2pm (Fridays 7am-12noon), baksheesh expected - located about 1 km north of the centre of Siwa Town, this hill features a large number of rock cut tombs, mostly dating back to the Ptolemaic and Roman periods (3rd century BCE - 2nd century CE)
- *the Tomb of Siamun
- *the Tomb of Mesu-Isis
- *the Tomb of Niperpathot
- *the Tomb of the Crocodile
Sleep
Budget
Mid-range
Splurge
External links