The 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 sq. mile depression was a lush paradise during prehistoric times. It's 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. It has remained an agriculture center, well known for it's fruits, vegetables and chickens.

But agriculture is not the Fayoums only claim for being first. The Greek mummy portraits found in the Fayoum are said to be the worlds first true life portraits, and examples can be found in area museums. In addition, a paved road, which has been noted as a landmark of engineering by engineering societies along side the Eiffel Tower and Statue of Liberty, is said to be possibly the first paved road in the world and dates to over 4,500 years. And finally, the worlds first dam was probably built here in order to control the Nile floods into the area.

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 Bahariyya, also suitable for swimming and picnics.

Fayoum is not a true oasis since it depends on Nile water instead of underground springs or wells. The ancient Bahr Yussef canal runs through the center of the city and irrigates the land. Only two hours from Cairo by road, Fayoum is renouned for its year-round warm climate, numerous water wheels (introduced by the Ptolemies in the 3rd century) and lush agricultural land. Cotton, clover, tomatoes, medicinal plants and fruit are all grown here. The local Souk (market) in Fayoum City sells copperware, spices and gold jewelry and there is a special pottery market once a week.
Other small villages in the area too small to document independently include Qasr Qarun at the western end of Birket Qarun and Shakshuk also by the lake on a bay.

Favorite Places in Fayoum

Outside town at Ain Al-Siliyin, 9 km north towards Lake Qaroun, is a popular marvellous spot & park which has natural spring & streams. Further north is Lake Qaroun that is a favorite beach resort. In winter, it is quite rough and teeming with ducks and geese, which brings the hunters to lakeside hotels.

Qaroun means "Lake of the Horn" and it is possible to negotiate a price to get a row boat to the Golden Horn Island or to the north shore.

To the lake and 30 km from the city on the main road towards Cairo, Kome Aushim is site of the ancient city of Karanis. The results of excavations carried out in the 1920's by the University of Michigan are displayed, together with exhibits from other sites around Fayoum, in a small museum. The most interesting exhibits are the carefully resorted pottery and glassware.

The remains of two temples dating from 1st Century BC have also been found, apparently built on the foundations of earlier temples. Mud brick houses have also been discovered although there are little remains of these. Trips to Oasr Es-Saghah and the ruins of the Ptolemaic settlement of Soknopaiou Nesos which used to be on the lakeside but is now 11 km away and 65 m above the current lake, are arranged at the museum. There are 4 separate pyramid sites in and near the Fayoum depression: Hawara, Lahun and the collapsed Maidoum pyramids are all near the main road from Fayoum to Beni Swef.

The pyramid of Amenemhet III (1842-1797 BC) is a 3 km walk across Bahr Youssef and into the desert from Hawara which is 6 km south east of Fayoum. Contrary to normal practice the entrance of the pyramid of which only the mud brick core remains while its external limestone cladding having long since disappeared,is situated to the south in an unsuccessfully-set attempt to confuse looters. When an archaeologist got into it, he found that Amenemhet's body had been removed and destroyed and the sarcophagus of his was missing. It was discovered next to that of his daughter Queen Sobk-Nefru, who was the last 12th dynasty ruler and had completed her father's pyramid after his death, when her own fully-intact tomb was discovered in 1965. The apex of this easily climbed pyramid offers excellent views.

To the south of the pyramid is the Mortuary Temple of Amenemhet III which was known as Labyrinth. About 6 Km off the main road lies the ruined pyramid of Senusert I (1897- 1878 BC) built by Amenemhet III's grandfather. It was built on a rocky surface on which limestone pillars were constructed and then covered over with mud-brick and finally encased in stone. A "sponge" made of sand and flint was placed around the base, in order to prevent any flooding.