|
Al-Quseir
has a long history as one of the major ports of the Red
Sea: from here Queen Hatshepsut launched her expedition
to the Land of Punt, as depicted in the reliefs in Deit
el-Bahari temple at Luxor. Legend has it that the
expedition returned with two live panthers and 31
incense trees. The 16th-century fortress of Sultan Selim,
still standing in the center of town, shows al-Quseir's
former strategic importance. Today, it is a quiet resort
with sandy beaches, clear waters and coral reefs. An
ancient caravan trail, to Qift in the Nile Valley, leads
from al-Quseir through the mountains, passing several
pharaonic and Roman sites. A new road, directly to Luxor,
opens soon.
The ancient city of Berenice, named by Ptolemy II,
became a trading port in 275 BC. A ruined Temple of
Semiramis is near the modern town and , inland, there
are the remains of the emerald mines of Wadi Sakait,
which were worked from pharaonic to Roman times. The
coast is lined with mangrove swamps and unspoiled bays
and coves. Offshore, visit the tectonic island of
Zabargad, a geological phenomenon which is also famous
as the source of the semi-precious gem olivine, mined
here from 1500 BC until the mid-20th century. From
Peridot Hill there are breathtaking views of the
surrounding blue lagoons, rich in marine life and home
to many dolphins.
|
 |
