Fayoum
Fayoum is a large natural oasis covering an area of about 17,000 square kilometers. It once contained a large lake that flooded most of its area. What remains today is Lake Qarun.
History and Significance
In ancient times, it was called the “Land of the Lake” and was known as “Ba-Yum.” It is considered one of the oldest inhabited lands in history, with humans living there for centuries. It is a prehistoric site and one of the earliest places in ancient Egypt where agriculture was practiced. Attention was given to it during the Middle Kingdom era, the time of King Amenhat III, but it was during the Greek and Roman periods that the city flourished the most.
Nature Reserves and Attractions
The city contains many important archaeological sites as well as nature reserves, such as the Wadi Al-Rayan Reserve, one of the city’s main landmarks, which features waterfalls and Lake Qarun. The most important reserve is Wadi Al-Hitan (Valley of the Whales), which contains fossils of gigantic whales. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and, like the beautiful sand dunes and drifting sands, is over 40 million years old. Fayoum is also famous for the rare birds around Lake Qarun and the village of Tunis, which is known for pottery and workshops for other handicrafts.
Archaeological Sites
Among the most important archaeological sites in Fayoum are the Pyramid of Lahun, built in 1882 BC by King Senusret II, the Hawara Pyramid of King Amenhat III, and the city of Karanis from the 3rd century BC. The largest city in Fayoum is Madi, with its ancient houses, the city of Madi, the remains of the temples of Amenhat III and IV, and the Qarun Palace or Qarun Temple, located 50 kilometers from Fayoum city at the southwestern edge of Lake Qarun.
The Qarun Palace
Built during the Greek period, it has a rectangular shape, approximately 36.5 meters long, 19.5 meters wide, and the facade is about 11 meters high. The entrance to the temple is in the center, and above the threshold is a depiction of the “Great Life” with a solar disk. The entrance leads to a rectangular hall, then two consecutive halls, followed by the Holy of Holies, where a statue is placed, and stairs that lead to the upper parts of the temple. The temple does not contain many inscriptions. One of the most important phenomena associated with the temple is the sun shining vertically into the Holy of Holies once a year on December 21st for about 25 minutes, marking the beginning of the winter solstice.