January 29th, 2009
Points of Interest of Egypt
Egypt is not only the oldest but also one of the great civilizations that ever existed on earth. The third part of the historical monuments of the world is here. The ancient pyramids and the majestic Sphinx, temples and the Tomb of the pharaohs have always attracted tourists from all corners of our planet. Egyptian pyramids are the oldest of the wonders of the world, which, moreover, survived to the present day: Cheops pyramid (Hufu), Hefrena pyramid (Hafry), pyramid Mikerina (Menkaura).
Before I begin to tell you about the attractions of Egypt, I want to tell you that it is not all you see - do not understand what is at stake. I have checked on personal experience. By the way, to see everything with your own eyes, do not forget about the Egypt visa.
The Egyptian Pyramid of Pharaoh Cheops in Giza
The oldest and at the same time the only extant wonder of the world. The name it received on behalf of its creator - the pharaoh Cheops (about 2551 - 2528 years BC). Because of its huge size sometimes it is called the Great Pyramid, and placed first in the list of the wonders of the world. Apart from the Great Wall of China, the Cheops pyramid is the largest structure ever erected by man. In ancient times Cheops Pyramid was up to 146 meters, currently top of the pyramid is destroyed and its current height is 137 meters.
Egyptian Hefren Pyramid
Stands on a distance of approximately 160 meters from the Cheops pyramid. Its height is 136.6 meters (earlier 143.5), and the length of the parties is 210.5 meters. Visually Hefren pyramid, retaining 22 lines of revetment, seems above Cheops pyramid. The effect is achieved by ensuring that its authority is at a higher point. The uniqueness of this facility is that it is a very compact construction of the world from all found so far. Besides that, its volume is 16 292 000 m3, free space of pyramid takes less than 0.01%. This pyramid is called “Hafra Great.” Certainly, it warrants such a description. The size of the surviving structures surpass all other known structures of this kind, belong to the Ancient Kingdom.
The Egyptian Museum in Cairo
The majestic building, where the largest collection of Egyptian art in the world are gathered. In more than a hundred rooms and galleries about 150 thousand items are located, such as: giant sculptures depicting Amenhotep and his wife Tea, works Amarna’s period; treasure sepulchre of Pharaoh Tutankhamen; the royal mummies hall - 11 Pharaonic mummies exhibited, including Ramses II, Tutmosa II and the Sety I. All exhibited in the halls are unique, and amazing skill of ancient artists and sculptors.
Sphinx
The huge statue with a lion body and human head looks from Egypt to the East along the thirtieth parallel. It is cleared out of limestone monolith, and has the dimensions of 72 meters in length and 20 meters in height. It’s weathered and worn, beaten, covered with cracks and crumble. This is the Great Sphinx. Once it saw the eternal God. You can vew intersting fotos on funny photos site. Then it got into the trap of oblivion and plunged into enchanted sleep. What secret does this majestic guardian keep? In Arabic “Sphinx” reads as “Abu al-Hol, meaning “father of terror”. Sphinx is a symbol of wisdom, power, strength, dignity and royal power. Sphinx of Giza is the oldest and largest sphinx in the world, it protects the approaches to piramidam Cheops (Hufu), Hefrena (Hafra) and Mekerina (Menkaura). According to one legend face of Sphinx is the face of Pharaoh Hafra (Hefrena), according to another legend, Sphinx represents the God Horus, watched as the sun rises over the horizon - his father is the God Ra. In the myths of the ancient Greek Sphinx is a monster created by Tifon and Ehidna, with the face and chest of woman, the body of lion and bird wings. Sphinx is located in the hill near the city of Thebes and asked each held a riddle - “Who among the living creatures morning walks on four legs, day two, and in the evening on three?”. Not able to rede, Sphinx killed. Read a riddle Oedipus -”This is a human in childhood, adulthood and old age”. After that Sphinx jumped from a rock.
Mount Moses and the Monastery of St. Catherine
Sacred place, marked by the Bible, is visited by thousands pilgrims. According to the Bible, here Moses has received from God the famous 10 Commandments, written on stone tablets. At the foot of the mountain monastery is located, received its name in honor of Saint Martyr Catherine, executed for refusing to repudiation of Christianity. At Mount Moses (Jebel Musa) will certainly rise before daybreak, to meet the first dawn. The road to the mountain (peak is located at an altitude of 2,285 meters above sea level) is not close, but is not very hard - the monks cut down 3750 steps. At the top a small chapel, which is dedicated to the Holy Trinity, in the chapel the frescoes describes the life of Moses. Mosaics on the walls of the chapel are the only remaining evidence of IV and VI centuries BC, depicts the Virgin Mary with baby Jesus on the center of the burning bush, and on the sides of her face Moses and Elias. Not far from the monastery a small town Saint Catherine has grown. The main concern of its residents is to serve the many foreign tourists. Several different classes of hotels, restaurants, shopping center are built for them.
Valley of Kings
In the mountains outside the city Thebes numerous small valleys start, the most famous of which the Valley of Kings, or “valley of kings’ tombs Biban al-Myulyuka”: tomb of Ramses IX, Ramses VI, Tutankhamun, Amenofis II, Tutmos III, Sety I. Once it was a gorge, forgotten among the rocks. Today, despite the fact that people are paved comfortable roads, it remains enveloped a mysterious haze secret.