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Kharga Oasis

Kharga Oasis Egypt - Kharga Oasis Tavel Guide - Egypt Tours Portal

Kharga Oasis is a magical attraction filled with heavenly attractions worthy of exploring. The main goal of this article is to offer every traveler all the facts and information about Kharga Oasis. This article was written by a group of very skilled and knowledgeable tour operators, tour guides, and travel consultants who know all the details about Kharga Oasis.

In the vast sand ocean of the western desert lies the beautiful green Kharga Oasis out of the lifeless nature of the desert like a jewel in a pile of coal. It offers the best view of the stars and the most relaxing and complete experience imaginable. It is one of the best places in Egypt and the world that can reflect the natural beauty and culture of the Egyptian Oasis in the most majestic fashion.

1- Location of Kharga Oasis

Location of Kharga Oasis - Kharga Oasis Tavel Guide - Egypt Tours Portal The Kharga Oasis is located 550 km south of Cairo and 232 km south of Asyut, it is on the west bank of the Nile valley about 200 km west of the western desert. Occupying the eastern border of the governorate are the cities of Al Menya, Qena, Asyut, and the Matruh governorate occupies its northern borders.

The Oasis was known as the southern Oasis by the ancient Egyptians and the Oasis Magna to the Romans which are the largest oases in the Libyan desert of Egypt. The Oasis is in depression about 160 km (100 mi) long and from 20 km (12 mi) to 80 km (50 mi) wide.

The climate is 28°C, Wind N at 8 km/h, and Humidity at 23%. Kharga Oasis occupies around one-third of the entire land of Egypt and around 20,000 inhabitants nowadays. Kharga Oasis is connected to the Nile valley with a set of roads that goes from Asyut to Kharga, and from Farafra to Dakhla to Kharga.

2- Attractions in Al Kharga Oasis

Attractions in Al Kharga Oasis - Kharga Oasis Tavel Guide - Egypt Tours Portal The word Kharga means "Outside", the whole oasis extends 220 km from north to south and comprises the whole of Southern Egypt except for one single part beside the Red Sea.

The Oasis is a major administrative center and the seat of the governorate of the new valley. It has extensive thorn palm, buffalo thorn, acacia, and jujube growth, and a lot of remnant wildlife species.

The Museum of Kharga Oasis is filled with amazing beautiful artifacts from some of the most archeological sites. It holds a statue of Horus and a collection of Coptic pottery.

3- History of Kharga Oasis

History of Kharga Oasis - Kharga Oasis Tavel Guide - Egypt Tours Portal The history of the Kharaga Oasis is an important transit point for the desert caravans in the 12th dynasty (1786 BC-1665 BC) when the Hyksos controlled northern Egypt and the Pharaohs controlled southern Egypt and Nubia. It served as the southwestern gate of Egypt because it was able to connect Egypt to southern Africa.

The Kharga Oasis flourished during the 13th dynasty and was used as a stronghold to protect the Egyptian Christians from the unjust rule of Roman rule. A number of huge buildings, passageways, artifacts, and ruins were discovered in the oasis which dates back to the middle kingdom (2134 -1569 BC) all the way to the new kingdom (1550-1050 BC).

The famous dagger of King Tutankhamun was made from an Iron Meteorite located in the Kharga Oasis. The Greek historian Herodotus mentioned the Oasis is the place where the Persian king Campuses and his army rested on their way to destroy the Oracle temple of Amon-Zeus at Siwah before they vanished.

4- Temples in Kharga Oasis

Temples in Kharga Oasis - Kharga Oasis Tavel Guide - Egypt Tours Portal

The Temple of Hibis

One of the most important ancient sites in Kharga Oasis is the temple of Hibis, it is highly significant as it holds Pharaonic, Persian, Ptolemaic, and Roman eras influences. It was constructed in the 26th dynasty directly before the Persian conquest in 525 BC by Psamtik II.

The temple was built for the worship of the holy triad (Amun- Mut –Khonsu) under the rule of Ahmos II and was completed during the Persian and Hyksos.

The temple was slightly redesigned in the Greco-Roam period between (380 -246 BC) on the hands of Ptolemy II (258 -246 BC). The temple has a sacred lake and ports in the east and a Roman gate that dates back to 69 AD. Inside the temple is a majestic sanctum with remarkable and unique inscriptions.

The Cemetery of Bagawat 

The Cemetery of Bagawat is located three kilometers north of Kharga behind the Temple of Hibis. The name of the cemetery comes from its unique style of architecture as most of the tombs in this area were constructed in the form of domes or "Qubwat" in Arabic which transformed afterward into Bagawat. This cemetery is known to hold one of the most important, enchanting, and most ancient Christian churches on earth.

Bagawat dates back to the seventh century A.D. when Christians escaped northern Egypt then fled to the Kharga Oasis. The cemetery contains 236 tombs that were constructed as small domed chapels with a central church in the middle known to be one of the most ancient Coptic Churches of Egypt.

The most important tomb in the cemetery is the legendary tomb of Exodus. There is the marvelous tomb of "peace' that contains the reliefs of Jacob, the Virgin Mary, Saint Paul, and Saint Takla. The tombs are able to display many magical colorful Coptic writings and inscriptions that shed some light on the Coptic life during this time period.

 

The Temple of Ghweita 

The Temple of Ghweita or Qaser Ghweita, means fortress of deep springs which is located 25 kilometers south of Kharga. The Temple of Ghweita together with the Temple of Hibis is known to be the only temple built in Egypt during the Persian or Hyksos occupation.

The construction work of the Temple of Ghweita started in the reign of Darius I on the top of a hill that was originally the ruins of a Pharaonic settlement.

The temple was built specifically for the worship of the holy triad of Amun the father, Mut, the mother, and Khonsu the son, just like the temple of Hibis. It was also enlarged during the Ptolemaic era between the 3rd and 1st century BC that holds a hall with 8 huge columns, a hypostyle hall, and a sanctuary.

The Temple of Qaser Al Zayyan 

The Temple Of Qaser Al Zayyan is found 5 kilometers south of the Temple of Ghweita. This temple was built in the Ptolemaic reign and enlarged during the period of the Roman emperor Pius in the 2nd century A.D.

The temple of Qaser Al Zayyan was dedicated to the cult of Amun Ra of Hibis. It contains a sanctuary made out of white limestone blocks and many mud-brick side chambers all around it.

Book Now Your Tour to Kharga Oasis

Tours to Kharga Oasis - Kharga Oasis Tavel Guide - Egypt Tours Portal The Kharga Oasis is one of the few places in  Egypt that can fully reflect the allure and greatness of the hidden wonders of the ancient Egyptian civilization, book now your private Egypt holiday tours from the UK to discover it and many more historical attractions in Cairo and Alexandria, also check our Nile River Cruises to witness the remarkable artifacts in Luxor and Aswan while enjoying the most charming views of the Nile.

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