Fayoum Oasis

Fayoum Oasis

Fayoum is a wonderful area of Egypt with a rich and interesting history. It is an area where Egyptians often vacation and which is constantly growing more popular among Europeans. This 692 square mile depression was a lush paradise during prehistoric times. Its water level was eighty-five meters higher than today (currently 45 meters below sea level) and the Nile regularly flooded through the low mountains separating it from the Fayoum. At 215 square km, the current lake Qaroun remains Egypt's largest salt water lake. The prehistoric people who lived here were, at first, nomadic hunters and gatherers, but later began harvesting plants near the lake.

This developed into what is said to be the earliest agricultural area in the world, where fences were erected and guarded warehouses built. The peacefulness of the area is a relief from the hustle and bustle of Cairo , from which it is a brief trip. Bird life still abounds around Lake Qaroun, bordered by semi-nomadic Bedouin settlements and fishing villages. Here, on the edge of the desert, you can sail, windsurf, swim and fish. Other places of outstanding natural beauty near Fayoum are the hot springs at Ain Al Siliyin, where you can bath and the waterfalls at Wadi Al Rayan, 40km towards Bahareya , also suitable for swimming and picnics.

Kom Aushim Museum
Was erected in 1974 exhibiting artifacts dating from the Prehistoric to Roman Periods.

Wale Cemetery
A prehistoric sea once existed in this area, leaving behind evidence in the form of whale skeletons and other fossils.

Bacchias
Was founded in the third century and abandoned in the forth. Several interesting ruins are still standing.

Lake Qarroun (Birket Qarroun)
Covers approximately 214.5 square kilometers. Several local legends relate to the lake. One tells of a pharaoh who lived during the time of Moses. The pharaoh inhabited a castle called Qarroun and had rooms full of gold and other riches. But the pharaoh was greedy and became mean and vicious. With all his possessions, he was cast in the lake. The treasure is still believed to be hidden in the lake.

Temple of King Qarroun (Qasr Qarroun)
The most interesting aspect of the temple is that it is the only temple in the Western Desert with its roof intact, offering us a sense of the atmosphere that once prevailed all the temples in the Western Desert. The temple is said to have 360 rooms, some of which can be explored using a flashlight.

Wadi El Rayan
This valley was named after a king who was buried with all his gold and riches in the Wadi. Most enjoyable, is the splendor of swimming under the waterfalls.

Karanis
The site that was almost completely buried contains foundations of hundreds of houses, several temples, factories, and baths, including a sauna with hot and cold running water.