The Monastery of Saint Catherine Protectorate

The Monastery of Saint Catherine

Monasticism in sinai:

Ever since the early Christian Period, South Sinai was a great attraction for the Christian monks. The Monasticism was an escape from the Roman violence which spread in the 4th Century A.D. Especially in Firan Valley, El-Tur, and Mount Moses, those who fled the Roman persecution have taken shelter in various area in Egypt, particularly those areas near water sources. 

Who was Saint Catherine?

She lived in Alexandria during the persecution of Christians during the reign of Maximinus in 305-313 A.D, and when she converted to Christianity the Roman tortured her severely, finally beheading her in 307 A.D.

Five centuries later, a monk saw a vision in which her body was carried by Angels, gently placing her on top of the peak of the highest mountain in Sinai, so the monks carried her relics to the Church of Transfiguration, which it was named then, next to the monastery that was formerly called "The Virgin", and ever since then, the name of the monastery has been known as Saint Catherine.

The Monastery:

In 342 A.D The Empress Helena, mother of Constantine the Great, built a monastery, including the chapel known as the Virgin Mary, at the Burning Bush site; where it is believed that Moses received the two tablets. In the 6th century A.D the Emperor Justinian ordered the building of the church known today as the Church of Transfiguration; both the church and the monastery were later named for Saint Catherine. Justinian also ordered the building of a high enclosure wall, with towers to protect the monastery, and it is said that he provided it with 200 Roman soldiers to protect it against the attacks of the Bedouins.

The monastery lies at the foot of "Moses Mountain", a beautiful site, on a high location about 1570 feet above sea level, with a good climate and plenty of fresh well water. To the west of it is the El-Raha Valley. 

The most important Elements of the Monastery are:

1-The Enclosure Wall and the Gate

2-The Great Church

3-The Burning Bush Chapel 

4-The Fatimid Mosque

5-The Library 

6-The Wells

7-The Oil Press 

8-The Garden

9-The Monks Cells 

10-The Guests Dwellings

11-The Two Mills 

12-The Grain Stores

1-The Enclosure Wall:

The monastery is similar to the fortresses of the middle ages, and it was built with an enclosure wall of granite stones, including towers at its corners, and inner buildings surrounding it. The height of the wall is between 12m and 15m, while its 4 sides measure 117m, 80m, 77m, and 76m.

The Original Gate:

The original gate is actually located on the western side, but it is now blocked! To its left is the gate that is used at present, which was made in 1801.

2-The Main Church (The Great Church):

It was built on the northern side of the monastery. It takes the shape of a basilica and it consists of a central nave and two aisles that lead to small chapels. The central nave ends with the altar at its eastern side, and the aisles end with 2 rooms. Near to the altar on the right there is a reliquary of marble, which contains the relics of St. Catherine. A wonderful Byzantine mosaic covers the apse. The visitors to this church must take off their shoes outside before they enter, imitating Moses when he approached this Holyplace.

*The monastery contains about 2000 icons, which is considered as one of the most important collections of icons in the world. Some of them date back to the 5th and 8th centuries. You can see some of them hanging on the walls of the vestibule, which leads to the entrance of the main church. 

3-The Mosque 

It was built during the Caliphate of Al-Amer Be Ahkam Allah in 500 A.H (1106 A.D) to be a resting place for the pilgrims who pass by the monastery on their way to Mecca (or Makkah), and is situated on the southwest of the main church. It is a small Mosque, rectangular in shape, and measures 11m long by 7m wide, with walls built of granite mortared with loam clay, covered with loam clay plaster. The Mosque consists of 3 riwaqs; the middle one being the biggest, with a main mihrab flanked by 2 others. The floor of the Mosque is covered with hip tiles, but not the original ones! The roof is covered with wood and reed, tiled with hip tiles, standing on circular arches, supported on 2 piers. 

The minaret is 12m in height, ending with a balcony projecting 50cm and bearing a semi-ball shaped dome at the top.

The minbar (pulpit) is made of cedar wood decorated with floral decorations of a Fatimid style, which is one of the 3 famous minbars built in this style.

The Mosque contained 2 silver candlesticks, still preserved in good condition. There is a chair on which 4 lines of inscription were written in Floral Kufic mentioning that the Prince Anoshteken Al-Amer built the Mosque during the reign of the Caliph Al-Amer Be Ahkam Allah in 500 A.H (1106 A.D).

4-The Library

The monastery has one of the most important religious libraries in the world, containing a great number of very rare and old manuscripts. This library also has a large number of decrees of the Caliphs and the rulers. In recent years it has received a lot of attention by many scholars, as Alexandria University, and the Congress Library in Washington, has microfilmed most of the manuscripts.

5-The Wells

There are many wells inside the monastery; the most important are "the Well of Moses", north of the main church, and "The Burning Bush Well" and "Saint Stephen's Well", which are south of the main church. 

6-The Oil Press

It is situated below the Mosque's courtyard, and is used for squeezing olives to extract the oil. Its ceiling is roofed by wooden beams, and reed ties, resting on granite arches. The floor of the yard is provided with lanterns, to lighten the oil press.

7-The Garden

In the front of the monastery there is a garden, including a cemetery, for the monks, with a "skull house" beside it. The monks used to bury their dead, leave the bodies for a certain period, and then collect their bones and deposit them in the "skull house".

8-The Guests Dwellings (or the Guest House)

Inside the enclosure wall there is a small building that was constructed in 1863 during the reign of Khedive Ishmael. It is dedicated for the dwelling of the visitors, and the guests of the monastery. 

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White Desert Protectorate - Frafra

White Desert Protectorate - Frafra 

People who have visited white desert say it’s a truly magical place that’s hard to leave. It’s one of the more recently declared protected areas of Egypt which lies totally within the depression of Farafra. Most people who come to visit the Farafra oasis pay visit to the White desert that lies in the area north to the Qasr el Farafra. The spectacular scenery of the place makes it even more popular among tourists. The white chalk of the depression is dotted with inselbergs embedded with numerous fossil seashells. Also the ground here is scattered with thousands of oxidized iron pyrites concretions. Two small and inhabited oases make up for the protectorate which are Wadi Hennis and Karawein Depression.

Natural wealth

The protectorate is a home to a very large and old specimen of Acacia nilotica which make place very important scientifically. Also in the area you can find animals like The Slender-horned Gazelle, Gazella leptoceros. The place overall is a very popular area for tourists and residents who come to enjoy its unique scenery. At some point of time the desert was a habitat for many roaming herds of elephant, giraffe, gazelle and other animals, the desert would have been a savannah with lush green areas and lakes full of fish. The place seems to be an ideal hunting ground for pre-historic man.

The many formation found here

At White Desert you can find many unique and spectacular formations which have been designated some unique descriptive names and have been sculpted by the harsh winds flowing in the desert which have helped the formations get carved into weird shapes that keep constantly changing over time. Here you can find formations like ‘monoliths’ and ‘mushrooms’, ‘ice cream cones’, ‘tents’ and ‘crickets’, as well as the majestic conical flat-topped ‘inselbergs’, to name but a few of the formations.

More about the protectorate

White desert, now a protectorate, is like a natural wonder of Egypt and is referred as the White desert Park. The outer parts nearest the road are known as the Old Desert and can be reached in a normal vehicle. The place manages to attract a large number of tourists who often choose an overnight camping safari, which helps them in witnessing the contrast of both sunset and dawn. The new tracks here have been laid out to help vehicles which pass this famous landmark see the same. The place is initially a field of giant ‘mushrooms’, followed by an ancient lone Acacia tree.

It’s often said that night at the protectorate spend under the stars is an experience never forgotten. As the sky turns pink then deepest fiery orange, the rock-shapes fade and silence is all around. You can enjoy thoroughly while sitting around a small fire and enjoying the simplest meal of chicken, rice and vegetables. If the moon is near full, the white chalk rock shapes glow eerily.

The White Desert is a place that is very hard to leave. It’s bound to offer you a truly magical experience. The protectorate is justifiably the most well-known desert destination in Egypt - and for a good reason.

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Wadi El Gemal National Park Protectorate - Marsa Alam

Wadi El Gemal National Park Protectorate - Marsa Alam near Hamata

Wadi el Gamal protected area near Hamata in Egypt is a national park that covers an area of 60 km including the Wadi Gemal islands, red sea coast, coral reefs, sea grass beds and mangroves. The area has more than 450 species of corals and here over 1200 species of fishes can be found. The protectorate is where you can still find ibex and gazelles. The sea grass beds seem to be the habitat where you can find many engendered animals like Dugong, Dugong dugon, and Green Turtle, Chelonia mydas, which nests on the coast and islands.

The start of Wadi Gemal has a fresh water stream that is flowing which joins with seawater forming a low salinity marsh that ideally supports reed beds and Dom palms. At the inside there the Balanites aegyptiaca, dominate; further inland is the Toothbrush Bush, Salvadora persica.

An ideal place for tourists

In order to attract more tourists to the place the same is being promoted largely for eco tourism and due to this privately owned eco lodge has already been built here, also a camp named El-Fustta has been set in the protectorate. Trips which exclusively aim at wildlife and bird watching and some popular camel trips are also organized by many tour operators here. At the park you can also witness prehistoric rock art that contains Ptolemaic and Roman ruin. Also the mountain Mons Smaragdus is the site of small mining communities which seem to have existed from the Pharaonic Egyptian era.

Natural wealth found here

About 17% of the marine life at Wadi Gemal is native to the Red sea. The islands are a breeding ground for 13 bird species and local sea grasses are important food source for some endangered species as well. Wadi el Gemal is one of the most celebrated and thriving national marine parks in Egypt and lies just to the north of Hamata and Berenice.

The park is also touted to be the largest nestling colony of the sooty falcon on globe. The rich wealth of coral reefs found here is speculated to be the most amazing one in the world in terms of abundance of life and diversity of species.

More about Wadi El Gemal Protectorate

The area is said to have well known to the pharaohs who based their great wealth on the treasure mined in these mountains. During the Ptolemaic period, elephants which were captured in Africa were brought to the Park that were then used in military campaigns. These land routes were vital, as it was very tough to sail north against the Red Sea’s prevailing winds, and hazardous to navigate its coral reefs and shoals. The traders and travelers of the region left a legacy of unique antiquities, many of which are still being discovered today. The area is inhabited by pastoral people, The Ababda who still maintains their traditional lifestyle.

The area of the Wadi el Gemal today is well protected by a series of strict environmental laws and conservation organizations.

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Siwa Oasis Protectorate- Siwa

Siwa Protected Area

Siwa one of the most inaccessible oases of Egypt till recently is considered to be the most fascinating as well. Its location 60 feet below sea level makes it even more attractive among desert daydreamers. The oasis seems to have its mentioning at 331 BC during the visit of Alexandria the Great who consulted Oracle of Amun. The oasis is located just 50 km from the border of Libya and is populated densely with olive and palm trees. The place is very important for its faunal and cultural diversity. Scattered all over the oasis are crystal-clear springs, which are a heavenly break from the harsh heat.

The rich natural wealth of Siwa

The oasis is covered with a number of lakes and around thousands of springs but the water is still saline supporting very little agriculture and crops which can be grown here are dates, olives and a few vegetable. Siwa oasis is a home to some endangered species of animal which are Slender-horned Gazelle, Gazella leptoceros, and Fennec Fox, Vulpes zerda. Also the place is a natural habitat to the Cheetah, Acinonyx jubatus, one of the most threatened cats in the world. Typical birds which can be found here include the Turtle Dove, Streptopelia

A famous tourist destination

The Siwa oasis is looked upon as a famous tourist destination of Egypt which has even pushed in becoming a protectorate whose design has already been made and will be finished soon. To promote eco tourism in Egypt two privately owned, world class eco-lodges in the oasis have also been built. The oasis seems to have a pleasant climate which gets chilling in winter and hot in the summer while the spring sees a moderate climate.

The unique tradition of Siwa

The geographical location and inaccessibility of Siwa has helped in standing here a unique society which still seems unique from the mainstream Egyptian culture. People here are very traditional and girls are still said to get married here by the age of 14. Siwa was considered independent a few hundred years ago. For hundreds of years the oasis had connection only with few caravan traders that passed along this way via Qara, Qattara and Kerdassa and the occasional determined pilgrim seeking the famous Oracle of Amun. Today, local traditions and Siwi, the local Berber language, still dominates the protectorate.

How to get to Siwa Oasis

Getting to the Siwa oasis now seems easy as there are many international flights which can take you to Cairo through which you can find many tours organized by tour operators. Also you can choose to travel to the location through a bus or a service taxi as well. Also reaching Siwa from Alexandria is easy which has a direct bus as well as a connecting one through Mersa Matrouh as well.

Siwa oasis is famous for its dates and olives, and is one of the most beautiful landscapes in Egypt. An interesting fact about this place is that every October there is a three-day festival during which Siwans must settle all of their past year's disputes.

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Wadi Degla Protectorate - Cairo

Wadi Degla Protectorate - Cairo

Wadi Degla area in Cairo governorate was declared as a protectorate in the year 1999 and covers a land area of 60 square km. The Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency designated Wadi Degla as a protectorate area in 1999. This is a desert type protected land area which is very easily reachable from Cairo and lies just 10 km away. The protectorate is also one of the most important valleys that extends from east to west and rises in the mountains of the eastern desert. The Wadi runs through limestone terrain which then cuts into a deep winding canyon and at few places you can see the floodwater which has carved the rocks into spectacular shapes. Here you can find many fossils in the rock formations and scattered patches of petrified wood.

The ephemeral plants dominate the wadi after the rainy season. Few animal species that have been found here include Dorcas Gazelle, Gazella dorcas, and Nubian Ibex, Capra nubiana, also Lesser Mouse-tailed Bats, Rhinopoma hardwickii, live in the caves in the wadi sides.

A definite place to visit

The protectorate is a very popular destination among tourists who are looking for Cairenes and also people who wish to get away from the hustle bustle of daily life. Also for birdwatchers the place has much to offer. Still those in search of solace and relaxation can also enjoy here thoroughly.

Flara and Fauna

The valley has a group of animals living here which include mammals like dear , taital , mountain rabits , red fox , feather tailed rat , oviparous , barbed rat, little tailed bat and others. Among the insects there are many others. 18 species of reptiles have been recorded as well. Apparently, Wadi Degla is a home to various species of birds, reptiles and bats, and even larger animals such as foxes and gazelles. There are also many fossils from times past when the valley was covered with water.

A great trailing spot

The Wadi provides an excellent trail network for all skill levels. The main trail here of 10.5 km is fun and easy and begins at the wadi gate. The terrain is light sand and gravel with rough sections and thick sand present occasionally but there is not much difficulty for beginners as well. For intermediate to advanced level trailers the wadi’s south and north plateaus seem ideal which provide a vast network of trails that is sure to satisfy advanced riders.

Wadi Degla is your place

Wadi Degla overall is an almost pristine escape. The air at the protectorate feels clean and temperatures are noticeably cooler than in Downtown Cairo. The area is completely quiet and the city appears impossibly far in the distance. Wadi Degla has something for everyone; whether you are an avid runner or somebody who just wants to take in the expansive desert views. If you seek an adventure, Wadi Degla is your place. Wadi Degla is open every day until 6PM. Entrance costs 5LE for foreigners and 3LE for Egyptians. Getting to the place is very easy due to its ideal location and great connectivity.

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Wadi El Rayan Protectorate - El Fayoum

Wadi El Rayan Protectorate - Fayoum

Established in the year 1989 after declaration by the prime minster of Egypt, Wadi El Rayan protectorate is located in the Fayoum governorate. The area covered by the same is 1759 square km and the same is primarily known for developing management resources protected area and also as a natural heritage of the country. The protectorate is located at a distance of 150 km from Cairo.

Protectorate popularly know for

The integrated desert environment coupled with natural springs, sand dunes, large water bodies, a different botanical life, large variety of flora and fauna and an important area for sea fossils altogether make Wadi El Rayan an important area of Egypt. The El Rayan Lake is characterized by a calm natural environment which till now remains free from pollution.

Some important areas of the protectorate

•  Waterfall area known for various sea sports was formed due to the gathering of drainage waterfalls during farming
• Qyuon El Ryan area comprises of sand dunes which are long dense and movable and here there are four natural sulfuric springs as well. 15 species of desert plants and wild mammals can be found here alongside 16 species of reptiles and more than 100 species of resident and migratory birds
• Wadi Al Hitan is a fossil area of the protectorate dating back to 40 million years. Fossils found here were of petrified primitive whales skeletons, shark teeth, shells and other sea animals that are considered as an open museum. The roots of Mangroves preserved in soft rocks. Many animals on the verge of extinction can be found residing here easily and safely
• The Area of El -Rayan Mountain El -Mashgaeega Mountain, covering deep canyons is also referred as the split rock and is a popular place to see a panorama of Wadi El Rayan and picnics
  

Fishing at lake Qarun

Abounded with a large variety of fishes and especially Bulti which is the better species than those caught from the Nile, Lake Qarun is a popular spot for fishing. The other species which can be found here due to the increased salt content of the lake are eel, Millet, sole and shrimps. The lake is said to be the largest salt water lake in Egypt which remains open from the mid of June till the mid of April. The discovery of prehistoric fishing tackle some time back at the Fayyoum oasis has given the area a status of hunting and fishing paradise which has remained so since 7200BC. Here many vacation palaces were built during the pharaonic era to help kings indulge in elite hunting expeditions. Also a hunting lodge of the King Farouk here has been now converted into a hotel which is located at the Lake Qarun.

Wadi El Rayan protectorate in Egypt is located in the western desert and is easily reachable from the town of El Fayoum. The protectorate is especially important, as it is a home to the world’s only known population of the endangered slender horned Gazella leptoceros. The Dorcas Gazelle is still found in the area in small numbers, as well as, the Fennec Vulpes zerda and Sand Fox.

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Wadi Allaqi Protectorate - Aswan

Wadi Allaqi Protectorate - Aswan

Announced to be a protectorate in 1989, Wadi Al Allaqi is located in the Aswan governorate in Egypt. The area the same covers is about 30000 square km and it’s a type of desert protected area and biosphere reserve. The wadi is a dry river which is very large and used to once rise from the Red Sea hills. After the construction of Aswan High Dam the water flowed and collected into Wadi Al Alaqi which then became the lakes’ part. The protectorate is a valley which is a result of the drying of a large river and is 1 km wide and 275 km long.

Here you can find more than 90 species of plants both from the annual and perennial categories. Also the protectorate has over 15 species of mammals, 16 species of birds, some venom containing reptiles and a large variety of invertebrates. Reaching this protectorate is very easy from Aswan, which is about 180 km from the protected area. The Wadi has greenery and is blessed with rich soil acting as a pasture for animals. The astounding botanical variety one can find here is no less than a treat for nature lovers.

More about Wadi Allaqi

Located to the southeast of Aswan, Wadi Allaqi protectorate is bounded by Lake Nasser to the west and Red Sea by the east. Wadi Allaqi region is special in the way that it has the earliest reference to mining which took place here during the Twelfth Dynasty of the Middle Kingdom when the region was known by the name Akita located in the Land of the Wawat. In 1900s the area was mined by British and South Africa companies as well.

The historical mining at Wadi Allaqi

The historical mining focused totally on the mining of high grade quartz veins and alluvial gold. The stooped out quartz veins clearly show the historical mining activity. Waste dumps and tailing too can be seen in a number of deposits showing that the site saw significant mining activities in the past.

The wadi is also used by the nomadic tribes Bejas who reside in the area. Also, around 1000 members of Bisharyn and Ababda have been seen here. The tribes used this land to graze livestock, for producing charcoal for fuel and even to collect medicinal plants. Also quarrying of nickel and copper and agriculture on a small scale was done here. Some variety of medicinal plants was also collected from the area.

However all such activities were somehow stopped from the Wadi in 1989 after which the same was declared as a nature reserve which is being managed by the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency. In 1993 the same was also declared as a biosphere Reserve by the UNESCO.

Wadi Allaqi regional

Wadi Allaqi regional is made up of nine tenement areas out of which eight contain historical gold workings and the ninth one is a rich reserve of copper-nickel deposits. There are in total nine Wadi Allaqi prospects, each of which covers 16km2 in area.

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Wadi El Assiut Protectorate - Asiout

Wadi El Assiut Protectorate - Asiout

Wadi Al Assiut is a protected area in Asiout Governorate in Egypt. The date of its announcement was 1989 and the area covered by the same is 35 square km. The type of protectorate is captive and a multi protected area and it is located about 400 km from Cairo.

The sections of the protectorate

The Wadi el-Assiut protectorate in Egypt is divided into two major regions one of which is the captive and breeding wild animals and the other is captive and plant genes. The former is where the captive and breeding of animals like bighom, Egyptian deer, mountain goats, zebra, ostrich and some reptiles is one. While the latter is where some threatened species of plants like palm trees, bushes, plantations and more such aromatic and economic crops are planted and protected also; here wild genes are collected for reproduction.

More about the protectorate

The Assuiti valley starts as a tributary out of which the most important ones are the south of Qena valley and till the north. The protectorate is unique and different from most others in Egypt as its here where breeding of wild animals and wild plants which are endangered species is done.

The protectorate was a result of a joint project which happened between the University of Arizona in USA and the Assiout University located in Egypt. The place is a reserve where the raising and breeding of some endangered or on the threat of extinction species of plants and animals is done so that they can be taken back to their natural habitats and while keeping only a few for scientific research and other such reasons.

Starting of the Wadi

The Wadi el Assuiti protectorate is a valley which was once a large dry river area and it got birth from the Red sea hills after the High Dam and Lake Nasser got constructed. The lake Nasser after getting filled with water led the water flow into the Wadi Al which covered a large part of the valley; the lower water levels helped the lake become a part. The protectorate is a fine example of the dry lands.

Utility of the protectorate or the reserve

The reserve is unique and different from all the other reserves that can be seen in Egypt mostly it being a breeding ground of many varieties of plants and animals. Also contained in the protectorate are some endangered species of flora and fauna which could only be seen in the Egyptian deserts. The reserve also contains genes origins of importance to modernization of agriculture. The reserve plays an important role in the mission of genes bank of some agricultural crops and helps in studying and researching those. Also included are some medicinal herbs, wild plants and scattered trees of doum palm and acacia alongside clusters of torrential streams on the side. In the reserve area, these are some wildlife animals like deer’s and some kinds of reptiles and a large number of non-vertebral that live under bushes or in rock cracks. Though small in size, the reserve in Egypt has an important role in the environmental equilibrium and soil fertility.

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Taba Protectorate - Taba - South Sinai

Taba Protectorate - Taba

Declared in the year 1998, Taba protected area is located in the south Sinai governorate in Egypt. The area is a desert and a natural heritage protected area which covers a land area of 3595 square km. The distance of this protectorate from Cairo is about 550 km. The reserve area is characterized by a rare geological formation and monuments which date back to 5000 years.

What all can be found at the Taba Protectorate

At the protectorate is a rare wildlife and the scenic setup is very beautiful with traditional heritage of nomads. The parts of the valley help in protecting wild life like deer, large birds and more. The valleys also have important communities like acacia. One can find here 72 species of plants like Ba'ataran, Ratam and Rimth. Also, the adjacent area homes about 480 species of plants. You can even find here a group of hills which is 1000 m in height. The natural setup of the place is very beautiful and amazing and thus attracts tourists in a very large number. The animals which can be found here include hyrax, Nubian ibex, wolf, hyena, deer and others. There are some wild birds like Egyptian vulture, eagle Brearded vulture and the golden eagle on top of mountains.

There are a number of water springs also present in the area which gives it a unique setting which includes Hadra spring in Wadi Ghazala and Oum Ahmed spring in Wadi Elswana, Fortaga spring in Wadi Water, which can be easily visited, and flow on the ground surface.

Why was the area established

The Taba protected area was established primarily for the protection of mammals, water reserves, reptiles and rare bird species. It is touted to be the most northern protectorate in south Sinai lying at the south of Taba. The protectorate is touted to be a gorgeous place visited by a large number of tourists every year. The protectorate has many geological formations like caves, desert landscapes, a string of steep-walled wadi's, mountainous passages and some natural fresh water springs.

The national treasures of the protectorate

The protected area is known to contain 25 species of mammals, 50 kinds of rare birds, 24 species of reptiles and approx. 480 species of plants.

Some other animals found here are the Nubain Ibex and also the Sinai Leopard which is now an extinct species but can still be found in the area but can be spotted here only by luck. Other animal species that breed in this area are The Black Eagle (Aquila Verreauxii) and also the rare Lammergeyer (Gypaetus Barbarus).

Why this is a tourist attraction

Some areas in the protectorate like the EinKhudra oasis, the White Canyon and the Colored Canyon are frequently visited by people seeking to indulge in a day trip. People often come here to appreciate the beauty of Mother Nature at its best.

How to explore this place

The best way to travel here is to go on a camel safari parts of which can be combined by walking at sights like the Nawamis, hiking to Gabal Mileihis and Gabal Makharum and climbing through adventurous canyons like the Arada Canyon. A holiday to this place can be made even more special by combining with a relaxed stay on the beach of the Gulf of Aqaba and by adding to its adventure with snorkeling or diving.

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Sannur Valley Cave Protectorate - Beni Suef

Sannur Valley Cave Protectorate - Beni Suef

Sannur Valley Cave Protectorate is located in the Beni-Suef governorate of Egypt and lies just 10 km away from the city. Reaching the place is easy as one can drive here from Cairo which means two hours drive on road. The place has many geographical formations of stalactites and stalagmites as well. The reserve becomes even more important due to the natural formations present here many of which are rare and hard to find elsewhere. The reserve is filled with a large number of quarries dating back to different eras. Some of the quarries belong to the ancient period which was used at the time of pharaohs in Egypt and still others date back to the modern era and are more recently exploited.

The alabaster digging operations which is still continued, led to the discovery of 54 big cavities that opened way to the caves and were present at the bottom of the earth. The reserve has just one chamber or cave in it. The cave here extends to an area of 700 meters and has a depth and width of 15 meters respectively. The caves contain geographical formations which are referred as ups and downs. The most important feature of the natural formations is the quality and also the rare nature of these which are found nowhere else on the globe. The researchers and geologists thus find this reserve very important to learn and do conductive research and studies about the environmental and other conditions that prevailed during the ancient times.

More about the caves' formation

The Sannur caves in Egypt are a classical karst cave which was created due to the percolation of groundwater through the Eocene limestone of the Galala plateau. The caves are the best example of such kinds of caves in the entire country. When the percolation of water occurs in the downward direction the deposits of calcium carbonate on the roof and floor of the cave starts getting deposited resulting in the formation of spectacular stalagmites and stalactites in a number of forms. When light falls on such formations, it starts getting glittered as a wonderland. Above the ground one can also find here deposits of the red soil, terra rossa, which is associated with the formations alongside several shallow holes referred as dolines.

The Sannur Caves were discovered in the 1980s after a blasting in the quarry led to opening of an entrance way to the chamber. The cave is overlaid with alabaster that has been brought by the thermal springs and the chamber is made of limestone. The unique geography and natural formations make this place very popular and have helped the same get recognized as a protectorate by the prime minster decree in 1992.

The importance of the Sannur Cave

The quality and rareness of the natural formations found in the cave make this place a rarest one on earth. The place seems to be an ideal arena for researchers to conduct detailed and comparative studies which can help in getting a deeper understanding of the environmental conditions that were present during the ancient era.

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Nabq Protectorate - Sharm El Sheikh

Nabq Protectorate - Sharm El Sheikh 

Nabq protectorate in Egypt is located just 25 km from the city of Sharm El Sheikh and reaching it takes just 10 minutes from the city. The area covered by the protectorate is 600 square km. Located on the Gulf of Aqaba; Nabq is the largest coastal protectorate in Egypt which has been deciphered after an oasis that is located within its boundaries. Nabq is a not so popular place among tourists and can thus seem a retreat for all those seeking to explore the unexplored.

Why visit Nabq

Visiting Nabq is like having a rendezvous with Mother Nature at its best and the place is bestowed with a varying terrain. While the inner parts have high chain mountains still there is a coast which has stretch of mangroves. Mangrove trees play an important part in conserving the surrounding ecology acting as a natural nursery for crustaceans and small fishes. Also these act as nestling grounds for birds and form natural tsunami wave breakers. For all nature lovers Nabq is the ideal place to take a stroll or a wade midst the mangrove trees and take a walk in the waist deep waters also one can indulge here in bird watching. Many species of birds can be found here some of which are migratory while others stay here as their natural habitat. Also you can spot here many animals like herons, plovers, gulls, terns and the Red Sea endemic White-Eyed Gull with its vibrant yellow legs, blood red bill and a crescent-like white ring around the eyes.

Also for divers the place can offer a spectacular experience where you can even do snorkeling. You have ample choice to explore the underwater life without even diving too deep into the waters. Also for those who are still not feeling that rush of adrenaline there is an opportunity to indulge in adventures like quad biking or four wheels off roading. So, it’s a place where you can enjoy nature thrill, adventure and serenity at the same time.

The major attraction at Nabq

Mangrove forest is the major attraction at this protectorate which runs along the shoreline and is even speculated to be the most northerly mangrove stand on the planet. The root system of mangrove helps in filtering salt from the sea water thus helping in stabilizing seashores. Also the important habitat for birds and fishes cannot be overlooked. Inside the mangrove forest is the dunes of the Wadi Kid where you can find the largest stands of arak bushes in the whole of Middle East. Also present here are rock hyraxes, gazelles and Nubian Ibexes. Two villages of the Bedouin tribe from the Mizena tribe also form a part of the protectorate. The reefs here are rich but somehow the visibility is poor due to mangroves sedimentation.

How to reach Nabq

Nabq can be visited by your own vehicle or by joining a tour group. Most resorts and hotels in Sharm El Sheikh and Dahab offer safaris and tour programs to the protectorate both on the land and in the water.

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Egypt Protectorates

About Egypt Protectorates

Egypt in Africa is located on a unique geographical location and joins Asia too. The country is bordered by Mediterranean Sea in the north, red sea in the east which helps the same get blessed with a rich natural heritage. As a measure to conserve the natural biodiversity of Egypt which covered the flora and fauna as well, a law was passed referred as 102 in 1083; this gave the prime minister of this country the power to declare some areas as natural protectorates in Egypt. Till now 28 such protectorates have been recognized which include areas covering coastal, wetlands, geological and coastal protectorates.

The prime minister of Egypt has full powers to define the limits of any naturally protected areas and also set the basic principles for the management and the conservation of resources here. The natural protectorates in Egypt do not have anything linked with the colonial protectorates here.

Some theories also suggest that till day 30 protectorates have been declared in Egypt which are believed to cover around 15% land area of this country.

18 of the most popular protectorates in Egypt

• Protector of Ras Mohammed - Sinai
• Zaranik protected area has an amazing collection of flora and fauna including some rare species of migratory birds as well.
• Al Ahrash reserve in the northeast is known for its plants and trees making this a natural haven.
• El Omayed located in the Mediterranean coastal desert has some of the most diverse and richest flora on the globe and is blessed with dunes of white sand , limestone ridges with depressions and salt marshes.
  
• Elba protectorate has a large number of mangroves of the Red Sea, islands, coral reefs, coastal sand dunes, salt marshes, desert plains and a cluster of coastal mountains
• Salouga and Dhazal in the river Nile is characterized by 94 varieties of plants and predominantly expanding bushes.
• The Monastery of Saint Catherine Protectorate
• Lake Qarun Protectorate - El Fayoum
  
• Wadi El Rayan Protectorate - Fayoum
• Wadi Allaqi Protectorate - Aswan
• Wadi El Assiut Protectorate - Asiout
• El Hassana Dome Protectorate - Giza
• Petrified Forest Protectorate - Maadi - Cairo
• Sannur Valley Cave Protectorate - Beni Suef
• Nabq Protectorate - Sharm El Sheikh
• Abu Galum Protectorate near Taba
• Lake Burullus Protectorate
•  The White Desert Protectorate                       
  
• Most of these protectorates have become popular as famous tourist destinations where lovers of nature come to watch the unique natural collection and even indulge in many natural activities. The protectorates are a habitat to many endangered species of plants and animals, and some of which are those that can be found just here.

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Petrified Forest Protectorate - Maadi - Cairo

Petrified Forest Protectorate - Maadi - Cairo

An overview about the Petrified Forest Protectorate

The area outside Maadi, which lies about 30 kms away from Cairo, in the year 1989, was declared to be a protectorate. The same is referred as The Petrified Forest and is about 35 million years old at least. The reserve is an ideal example of the physical history of the planet. The six km area is covered with the remains of trees from the early era which were brought here due to the floods on the red Sea hills. The period during which such floods occurred was referred as the Oligocene when the temperature of earth saw a large amount of drop. The uniqueness about this period is that the drop in temperature led to the creation of an atmosphere which supported the coming of many new species like elephants and horses.

Location

The Petrified protectorate is located at a distance of 18 km from Maadi city in Cairo on the North Katameya- ein el sokhna road. The geological history this place preserves makes it very important. The natural fortune present at the place has helped the same acquire a position of being a cultural, touristic and scientific heritage. Most people know about the same for which a lot has been written. There are a large variety of stones; sands, petrified trees and trunks present here which can help in knowing about the geological period of earth. The Petrified Forest is a relatively small geological protectorate compared to others in Egypt and covers a land area of only 7 square kilometers. It is also classified as a natural heritage site.

The vegetation

The forest reserve in the northeastern part of Egypt is densely covered by acacia trees, pastoral plants and bushes that help in fixing the dunes which further assists in conserving the environmental setting of the Mediterranean coast which was otherwise damaged by the developmental projects that disturbed the natural environment of the region.

The high density of acacia helps in increasing the level of soil water and preserves the natural qualities of the subterranean water. This also helps the Petrified Forest in becoming a favored tourist attraction due to the natural resources present here in abundance. The Petrified Forest protectorate is one of the natural sites in Egypt which the state wishes to conserve and protect for the importance and richness in the wildlife flora and fauna seen here.

The protectorate by some is also known as Gabal el-Khashab, or Wood Hill, if considering a non geologist or a person who is not a nature lover, there is nothing much to see in the reserve accept the stones, sands and rocks. The biggest threat to the reserve now comes from the constant construction work around the area. The many construction programs nearby have led to most of the animals and wildlife disappearing from this area over the past ten to 15 years.

Overall the small size of the Petrified Forest reserve does not pave any hindrance in it being an important pearl in the natural heritage of the country.

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