Fayyoum, Pearl of the Valley

100 south of Cairo, there lies such a unique area that is, by all means, the embodiment of matchless landscape, distinguished geography and memorable history. It is Fayyoum Oasis which is, unlike other oasis, not only watered by its springs, but also by the Nile.

Although it is not a coastal city, Fayyoum is notable for its fascinating beaches that extend along Lake Qarun, one of the largest and most significant lakes in Egypt. Furthermore, Fayyoum is distinguished by its fertile lands and luxuriant meadows, besides being one of the most famous hunting and fishing areas.

Fayyoum Civilization

Fayyoum is undoubtedly a very ancient city that still stands as a unique example of an astonishing civilization that has emerged long before records of history. On the other hand, Fayyoum city is considered one of the most ancient populated areas in the whole world, thus notable for its pivotal role over ages.

At present, this remarkable city stands as a pot where all ancient Egyptian civilizations melted, leaving behind a number of significant temples, pyramids and ancient cities.

During the 20th century BC, the kings of the middle dynasty took al-Lesht city as their capital. Since then, Fayyoum has become the destination of most rulers and nobles who got motivated by its charm and beauty to spend their leisure, promenade and practise their hobby i.e fishing. In addition, they drained vast areas of Fayyoum's lands and chose this charming city to embrace their graveyards. Their remains are still found there.

By the end of the 4th century BC i.e the Greek era, Fayyoum - then called crocodilepolis i.e the city of crocodiles-remained such a distinguished city. Afterwards, Greeks called it arsenui, after the name of the wife of PtolemyII who chose this area with its treasures to be his gift to his beloved wife.

During the Coptic era, namely middle of the 1st century AC, the area's name became Piom, of which the first syllable PI means the 'place', while the second OM means 'water'. In other words, the name stands for the abundance of water in the area. From Piom, the name 'Fayyoum' was derived and remained since the Islamic era up till now.

Museum for All Ages

 This ancient history of Fayyoum left behind many monuments and historical prints, which represent all ages. So, you can see in Fayyoum wonderful artistic portraits, which are good examples of drawing enhancement in the Roman age. These portraits include depictions of people who lived there in that age, and were famous by Fayyoum's Faces. Some of them are exhibited in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.

Of the most important monuments in Fayyoum are those of the 13th Dynasty (1000 years BC). King Amenemhet I was interested in expanding the agricultural spot in the region. He also dug a canal that started from the River Nile to reach the north west of Beni-Suef to irrigate more lands.

-Amenemhet III ( 1842-1797 B.C) came to dig the "Modese lake" to store water. He left his famous pyramid called "Hawara", which is located 14 km south east of Fayyoum. South to that pyramid, you can find the funeral temple built by Amenemhet III- that is known as "Allaberant Palace". It is the palace that drove the attention of "Herodotus", the Father of History, because of its many halls and rooms. No remains of this temple exist but parts of granite columns.

The Pyramid of King Sesostris

 Amenemhet III's pyramid is not the only pyramid in Al-Lahoon region at Fayyoum. At 6 km south east of Al-Lahoon-, there are the remnants of Sesostris II pyramid(1897-1878 B.C). It lies on a rocky hammock and its base is built from limestone and is covered by adobes and then by stones.

Builders of that pyramid put a layer of sand and stones around its base to protect it from the flood and to hide the entrance in the southern side. This did not prevent thieves from entering Sesostris' pyramid and ruin his sarcophagus. The thieves left some of Sesostris' marvelous jewels that still exist in the Egyptian Museum and in the Metropolitan of New York. There is the tomb of Nefrotbah, Amenemhet III daughter, 2 km from Amenemhet III pyramid.

There are another pyramid named "the Queen's Pyramid" and a number of Mastabas (out-door stone benches) used as tombs for the princes and state-men, and tombs for princesses such as the tomb of princess " Sat Hurr". The researchers found in it the beautiful jewels that are exhibited now in the Egyptian Museum. This tomb is hewed out in the rocks and ends with the burial room. Close to this tomb, there are the remains of a whole city for workers that extends about 18 feddans, and is considered a live pattern of the ancient city planning.

The pyramid of "Madom" lies in the north west of Al-Wastah City on the Nile bank that can be reached from Fayyoum by train or car. This is a famous pyramid and its base is about 144 m2 and it is 42-m-high. It is built on the rim of a hammock that looks upon a cultivated spot.

In "Bia-hmoo", 8 km south of Fayyoum, there are two bases of two statues for Amenemhet III. Herodotus thought they would have been two pyramids, because they are very huge. They were, in the past, standing in the middle of the lake and surrounded by palm trees.

Ma'adi City

22 km to the south west of Fayyoum, there are monuments known as monuments of Ma'adi City, which was built by Amenemhet III and his son. As for Qaron Palace, it exists 51 km north-west of Fayyoum and belongs to the Roman Age. Nature did not harm it that much.

The Pottery of Fayyoum

Fayyoum did not lose its fame in the Islamic Age. It was an important center for industries and Islamic crafts especialy pottery industry, in the 11th century.

Some of these pieces are exhibited in the museum of the Islamic art in Cairo. Monasteries Many are the Coptic monuments in Fayyoum. "The Virgin's Monastery" is on the top. It exists beside the Fayyoum/ Beni-Suef road and 6 km far from Fayyoum itself. In the south, there is the monastery of " Al Malaak Monastery " that is on a high rocky hammock.

Beauty and Charming Nature

Fayyoum is a place of attraction to those who need relaxation and to the lovers of nature and beauty, because of its fruit gardens and natural sights. The nature of Fayyoum lands with its ups and downs, and the water-wheels gives it more elegancy.

Nature of Fayyoum differs from the Nile Valley's. Despite its dependance on irrigation from the Nile water, it has some from other fresh springs.

Relative to its nature, Fayyoum takes the shape of the crescent from the south to the north to be like the flower in a silver chain (the Sea of Youssef ) .

Future Tourism

Lake Qarun is a place for hunting amateurs to meet on its banks to hunt birds flying over the lake since Autumn till Spring. In the desert parts , some others hunt the wild rabbits and deer. Around Lake Qarun, there are many tourist projects. Today there are foreign tourists who come from abroad to visit Fayyoum after being included in the international tourist map.