Al-Baharia Oases On the International Tourist Map

Following a long period of isolation, during which Egypt was deprived of its natural resources, al-Baharia Oases has finally found its way towards the international tourist map. Within two years, this area is expected to be the largest extension of metropolitan Cairo in view of its numerous recreational, therapeutic and monumental tourism components.

It is famous for its 400 mineral and sulphric springs, vast low lands permeating vallies in addition to its monumental villages fit for safari tourism, camping, sports tourism, horse races and festivals. Moreover, it combines many hunting areas for ducks, deer and migrant birds in addition to Pharaonic, Roman and Coptic monumental areas that form an indispensible part of the Egyptian civilization especially the 26th Pharaonic Dynasty.

Rare Monuments
According to Dr. Zahi Hawwas, the Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, al-Baharia Oases did not enjoy due international fame in spite of its matchless, magnificent and diverse Roman, Coptic and Pharaonic monuments.

From time to time, the Oases still spell out some of its secrets once buried into its sands. At present, an Egyptian expedition is carrying out excavations in search for the remaining family members of the Oases' ruler and his sucessors.

Dr. Zahi Hawas added that the Oases house various areas salient of which are the magnificent " Valley of Golden Mummies" where 11 mummies of rulers and priests were discovered in a good condition, Alexander the Great's Temple, the only temple built in the Western Desert. Found also were the remaining walls of the Roman Military Camp built by the Romans to defend the Nile Valley, area where the temple of god Amozeus (Ramsis II) that dates back to the 26th Dynasty is found.

Other monuments include the area of Helwa that combines the monumental tomb of the first ruler of the Oases Aminhotep and al-Qasr where 36 mummies were discovered in a good condition. Moreover, the Oases area is known for Shiekh Soubi area where 9 eye-catching colourful Pharaonic tombs are found and al-Farouj that houses the largest tomb of the bird Ibis, dating back to the Ptolemic era.

Dr. Hawwas said that what adds to the significance of the Oases is the beauty and variety of the discovered mummies that include a mummy of a child who died while crying and another of a young lady who died in full dressing. Other discoveries include a coffin of the wife of the Oases' ruler Khoso Ankh during the 29th Dynasty, another coffin of the ruler Ghonso and the third of the priest Amun. In addition, some golden amulets inlaid with carnelian were discovered in the Oases area. Furthermore, Benayoti tomb, one of the oldest monumental tombs found in the area, contains fascinating paintings that accurately depict reckoning in the afterworld, the sun and the moon in addition to the style of painting and engraving during the Pharaonic era. Recently, a 500-sq-m-museum was established in the Oases area at a cost of more than LE 0.5 million; it houses some rare Pharaonic and Roman antiquities.

Therapeutic Tourism
The future of tourism in the Oases area primarily depends on therapeutic and recreational tourism. Thus, the first international health center was established with a capacity of 50 beds, including 24 rooms, a gymnasium, swimming pools and a sauna. Recently, the foundation stone has been laid for the first specialized international center of environmental therapy. This center will be established in this area to make use of its mineral and sulphuric warm and cold water springs. In this respect, scientific researches carried out by the Egyptian University, local and foreign research centers have proved that these water springs have therapeutic properties that can cure bone and skin diseases. Thanks to scarcely matched dry climate and sunny weather almost around the year, this area can be one of the most significant therapeutic resorts worldwide.

On the other hand, the Oases area is gaining special importance for tourists from central, western and northern Europe seeking therapy. They know well how valuable are the springs of warm temperature of maximum 45o C. There are also al-Qasa'a springs, located between al-Dest and al-Maghrafa mountains, known for its warm water (40oC-45oC), the historic Roman wells where water runs for long distances into rocky streams and al-Bashmo well, well-known for its separate hot and cold water sources, which finally meet together in a deep rocky stream.

Safari Tourism
For the first time, tourist and monumental areas in al-Baharia Oases in addition to other areas near al-Hara, al-Qabala, al-Agouz, al-Zeia and al-Mandashia villages were beautified and upgraded. These areas are famous for their rocky sandy hills, well-suited for safari tourism. In addition, the above mentioned areas contain mountains-surrounded vallies rich in palm, olive, citrus and fruits trees, where many new tourist camps were pitched. This can attract tourists to pay more visits to significant monumental areas especially those that date back to the 18th, 19th and 26th Dynasties.