Siwa Oasis

Siwa Oasis is a town and oasis located in Egypt's Western Desert, about 300 kilometers southwest of Marsa Matruh, administratively part of Matruh Governorate. Siwa is renowned for its natural springs and wells, used for irrigation, drinking, and therapeutic purposes, and it also contains four major lakes.


Siwa is famous for therapeutic tourism, as its sands contain natural elements suitable for alternative medicine purposes. Desert safari trips using four-wheel-drive vehicles are also a popular activity among visitors to the oasis.



Some believe that the name "Siwa" originated from the term "Sekhet Am," meaning "Land of Palm Trees," or it may trace back to the ancient name "That." The oasis has been known by many names throughout history, including "Benta," a name found in an inscription at the Temple of Edfu. It was also known as the "Oasis of Amun" until the Ptolemaic era, when it was called the "Oasis of Jupiter Amun." Arabs referred to it as the "Farthest Oasis," a name that appeared in al-Maqrizi's writings. Ibn Khaldun mentioned it as "Tiniswah," named after a branch of the Zentana tribes in North Africa, while al-Idrisi referred to it as "Sintriya," noting that it was inhabited by a mixture of Berbers and Bedouins.



The people of Siwa speak the "Tasiwit" dialect, derived from the Amazigh or Berber language, which traces back to Ham, son of Noah. Every child in Siwa grows up speaking this language by birth and upbringing, then learns Arabic during their schooling, in addition to the modern Egyptian dialect.


The Temple of Amun (Temple of the Oracle) 


The Temple of Amun (Temple of the Oracle) dates back to the Pharaonic era and is considered one of the most important temples that played a major role in spreading the worship of Amun. The temple is renowned for the phenomenon of sun alignment that occurs during the spring and autumn equinoxes.





The Mountain of the Dead

The Mountain of the Dead is an archaeological site containing carved tombs dating back to the Pharaonic and Roman eras. It is one of the landmarks that provides insight into ancient burial traditions.


Siwa's lakes

Siwa's lakes: The oasis contains four major lakes, attracting visitors to enjoy their beauty and saline waters, which are believed to help treat certain skin conditions.


Springs and Wells

Springs and Wells: Among the most important are Cleopatra's Spring, one of the most famous warm springs in Siwa, as well as Fatnas Spring and Kegar Spring, which are used to treat some skin and rheumatic conditions.

















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