Mausoleum of Sheikh Hassan El-Shazly

Sheikh Hassan EI-Shazly wan Moroccan in origin. During his lifetime, EI-Shazly visited numerous countries such as Tunisia, Palestine and Egypt, playing a great role in the public life, especially in the Mansurah War against the Crudsaders. He died in 656 AH on his way to perform the Hajj. Built in 1258, the Mausoleum which contains the cenotaph of the Muslim Sufi hermit is located about 150 km away from the city of Marsa Alam in the Governorate of the Red Sea.

Monastery of Saint Anthony 

 The town of Coma, near Herakleopolis, was the birthplace of Saint Anthony the Great (ca. 251). At the age of 18, Anthony became a hermit. He is considered one of the founders of the monasticism in the Christian World. After a life of 105 years, he was buried in the old church of Saint Anthony in the monastery. The monastery lies near El-Qalzam Mountain, near El-Zaafarana, in the Red Sea Governorate, east of Egypt. It was founded in 356, just after the saint's death; thus, it is the oldest active monastery in the world. It takes its water supply from the desert wells. Exposed to recurrent attacks launched by the Bedouins, the fortified monastery was damaged and restored several times. Within its compound, the monastery has a mill, a bakery, a library with more than 1500 manuscripts, a number of gardens as well as five churches. The walls of the monastery are rich with paintings and depictions, the oldest of which dates back to the 7th century. A cave located 2 km far from the monastery is said to have been the place where Saint Anthony used to live. This cave is blessed with a splendid view over the sea and the surrounding mountains.

 Monastery of Anba Paula (Saint Paul the Anchorite Monastery)

 

 Monastery of Anba Paula is a Coptic Orthodox monastery located in the Eastern Desert, near the Red Sea Mountains, about 155 km south-east of Cairo. Dating back to the 5th century, it was founded over the cave where Saint Paul the Anchorite lived. According to the Coptic tradition, when young, Saint Paul fled to the Theban desert during the persecution of Decius and Valerianus (in c. 250). He lived in the mountains of this desert in a cave near a clear spring and a palm tree. Dates were his only source of food until he reached 43 years old. At this age, a raven started to bring him half loaf of bread daily. After spending his life in this cave, he died at the age of 113 years. Surrounded by high walls of the 18th century, within its compound, the monastery comprises 3 churches, a tower, a mill, 2 springs and a library. However, like other monasteries, this one suffered a great deal of damages caused by the Bedouin's attacks and was repeatedly rebuilt.

 

Elba Natural Park

The natural park is located in the southeast corner of the Eastern Desert of Egypt, with an area of 35,600 km2. It was declared National Park in 1985 with the purpose to protect the valuable unique habitat and rich biodiversity. Involved within the reserve are multiple ecosystems: the mangroves of the Red Sea, the Red Sea itself, 22 islands, the coral reefs, the coastal dunes, the coastal wetlands, the coastal areas and plains of the desert as well as a group of coastal mountains (namely, Gabal Elba, Gabal Al Ebruq and Daeeb). What adds to the reserve's splendid landscapes is the massive diversity of flora since it comprises over 400 species of plants such as Ferns, mosses, succulents (common at high altitudes), and Biscutella (common in Gebel Elba). At lower altitudes, in mountain foothills, Acacia Tortilis, Delonix elata, Aerva persica and Euphorbia cuneata are abundant. Along the coast, extend salt-marsh vegetation and mangrove strip. Not only is the area rich in flora biodiversity, but it truly manifests a multiplicity of fauna as well. Besides the wide range of mammals, this environment preserves African-tropical birds, ostrich (Struthio camelus) and Lappet-faced Vulture (Torgos tracheliotus) which still exist around the area of Gebel Elba although they have disappeared from most of its former North African / Middle East range.

Wadi El Hammamat

Wadi Hammamat is one of the popular tourist attractions in the Red Sea governorates that lies about 235km southward Hurghada. Of special interest in this wadi are the magnificent Pharaonic hieroglyphics over its walls that date back to the predynastic period. Along Wadi Hammamat Road one can enjoy seeing attractive Roman remains of watchtowers, wells, mines and forts that date back to various eras. In the Roman Rule of Egypt, Wadi Hammamat occupied a prominent position since it was the only source of Bekheney Stone that was believed to be a sacred stone. This magnificent stone that was mentioned in numerous ancient Egyptian myths was used in sculpturing numerous sarcophagi, statues, and bowls in the Roman Period and also for beautifying the interior of the royal pyramids of ancient Egyptians. Bir Umm Fawakhir or Umm el Fawageer is one of the most important quarries in Wadi Hammamat that is admired for its beautiful remains of Roman and Pharaonic monument. There are also numerous quarries of granite and iron throughout the road currently.