For centuries Egypt has fascinated every person to visit its mysterious monuments and spectacular sites, from the earliest explorers, to archaeologists, to today’s holidaymakers. Because of the events, rituals and culture of its rich and important history, there have been a great many important and breathtaking cites and structures left behind that have survived the ages, whilst many others have been discovered throughout the years, with the early 20^th century being one of the most successful eras of excavation in the area. So if you think you know all about Egypt, its history and its ruins, you may want to read on and learn just a little bit more about this charismatic destination and its mysterious past.

The Pyramids

Everyone has heard about the Pyramids, after all, they are universally recognised due to their unusual shape and structure. But what few people know is that as of 2008, there were 138 pyramids standing in Egypt, with many other temples, artefacts and sites being discovered and catalogued every year. The most famous and largest of all the pyramids is the Great Pyramid of Khufu in Giza, which is believed to be the only remaining monuments of the seven wonders of the agent world. The Great Pyramid took nearly 20 years to build and was completed in 2560 BC, and it is credited as being the tallest man-made structure in the world for nearly 4,000 years. It is believed to have been built as a tomb for the Pharaoh Khufu and it’s the only pyramid to have ascending and descending passages.

Abu Simbel Temples

Another noted, but not as famous site to visit on holiday is the Abu Simbel Temples. These two temples were originally carved into the sandstone cliffs above the Rover Nile in 1257 BC. Often credited as being created under Pharaoh Ramesses II, they now have UNESCO World Heritage Site status, and are part of the site known as the Nubian Monuments. Created to commemorate Ramesses’ II victory at the Battle of Kadesh, the monuments had to be relocated to safer, higher ground in 1968 after the formation of the River Nasser threatened to submerge them. The temples can now be found high above the Aswan High Dam reservoir. Lost to the sands of the desert, they were rediscovered in 1813, and have proved a popular attraction ever since.

These are just two of the attractions you can visit in Egypt, but both of them are exceptional places to visit during a family holiday as the kids and the adults will just love the craftsmanship, history and intrigue that surround these ancient monuments.