Summary

• Faiyum Oasis is a hidden gem in Egypt, known for its unique natural beauty and rich history. It was historically significant in ancient Egyptian times and served as a center for the cult of Sobek, farming, and trade.
• Located 100 km southeast of Cairo, the oasis transformed from a desert basin to a lush area due to the Bahr Yussef canal connecting it to the Nile. It’s famous for attractions like Birket Qarun Lake and Wadi Rayyan, home to Egypt’s largest waterfalls.
• Faiyum was important during the Middle Kingdom and Roman period, known for its unique burial traditions, including the famous Faiyum portraits. It’s also home to significant archaeological sites and ancient ruins.
• The oasis offers a range of activities and attractions, from exploring ancient sites to enjoying water sports on the lake. Accommodations vary from luxurious resorts to budget-friendly hotels, catering to diverse preferences.

Faiyum Oasis is one of Egypt’s most kept hidden secrets offering the chance to enjoy the enchanting natural wonders of Egypt. The goal of this article is to offer every traveler all the information and facts about Faiyum Oasis. This article was written by a team of very skilled team of tour operators, tour guides, and travel consultants who know all the details about the marvelous Faiyum Oasis.

Faiyum Oasis is famous for being the only artificial Oasis in Egypt and one of the most enchanting natural spots in the country. It dates back to ancient Egypt when its name was Shedet. The Greeks called it Koine Greek (Crocodile City), while the Romans referred to it as Arsinoe and, during biblical times, as Joseph’s Canal.

The city holds a number of scattered pyramids around it that were built in Egypt’s middle kingdom (2040-1782 BC) at Tahun, List, and Hawara and are in very bad condition.

The History of Faiyum Oasis

The city was known as Shedet, a.k.a Crocodilopolis, Karanis, and Kahun. In the Old Kingdom of ancient Egypt (c.2613-2181 BCE), Faiyum was known as Ta-She, “Land of the Lakes” or “Land of the Southern Lakes” by the kings of Memphis. In the middle kingdom (2040-1782 BC), it was given the name Pa-Yom, which means “The Sea” or “The Lake” as mentioned in the book of Exodus.

The city was able to play an important part in shaping the culture of Egypt during the 12th dynasty of the golden age known as the middle kingdom but declined in the new kingdom of ancient Egypt (1570-1070 BC). The city experienced a source of revival in the Ptolemaic dynasty (323-30 BC) and the Roman period (30 BC-646 CE) and unfortunately declined again. Faiyum was the center of the cult of the crocodile god Sobek.

Faiyum was very popular to the ancient Egyptians as the twenty-first nome of Upper Egypt under the name Atef-Pehu that means (Northern Sycamore). In ancient Egyptian times, the capital of Faiyum was “Shedyt“, and the ancient  Greeks called it Crocodilopolis, under the rule of Ptolemy II as Arsinoe.

Faiyum is the earliest and oldest evidence of farming in Egypt, as it was the center of the royal pyramid and tomb-building in the Twelfth dynasty during the Middle Kingdom and the Ptolemaic dynasty as it became the breadbaskets of the Roman world.

The city is famous today as Faiyum Portraits for containing a collection of beautifully enchanting rendered mummy masks created in later time periods. The masks were painted on wood in a pigmented wax which represents the greek settlers in Egypt. It served as a center for trade during the 7th century in the Islamic periods. Today, the city is rich in agriculture and culture, and it contains a number of incredible ancient Egyptian ruins.

Location of Faiyum Oasis

Al Faiyum is located in middle Egypt, just 100 km (62 mi) southeast of Cairo (Memphis). It stretches from the Nile to the lake of brisket Qarun, which is a very famous spot for duck hunting as Winston Churchill and King Farouk.

Faiyum City started as an arid desert basin that transformed into a lush oasis when one of the Nile branches silted up and diverted the water to it. The cultivated green land of Faiyum Oasis is formed due to the Nile mud brought down by the Bahr Yussef, which is a canal 24 km (15 miles) in length that connects Faiyum with the Nile River.

One of the most famous destinations in it is the Faiyum Oasis, which is located to the west of the Nile on an estimated area of 1,270 km2 (490 mi2) and 1700 km2 (656 mi2); it is historically known as the Garden of Egypt for its abundance of wildlife and production of fruit and vegetables.

Faiyum Oasis in Ancient Egypt

The Faiyum oasis is known for its rich history that dates back to around 3000 BC. The region is known to have held Neolithic settlements lined the lake’s shores, and the city of Crocodilopolis has emerged on the southern ridge. In 2300 BC, a canal which is known as the Bahr Yussef, was created to connect the Nile River to the natural lake. During the 12th dynasty of ancient Egypt, at the total might of the middle kingdom, pharaohs used Faiyum’s lake as a reservoir for water storage. They undertook extensive waterworks to transform the lake into a massive reservoir, leading observers to mistakenly believe it was artificially excavated. The lake of the oasis was abandoned around 230 BC due to the shrinking size of the nearby Nile branch. Faiyum Oasis was known by ancient Egyptians as Atef-Pehu, which served as the twenty-first nome of Upper Egypt. Its capital was called Shedyt or Crocodilopolis, which was later referred to as Arsinoe by Ptolemy II.

Faiyum was a crucial center for farming, royal pyramid building, and tomb construction during the Middle Kingdom and the Ptolemaic dynasty. During the Roman period, Faiyum became a major agricultural supplier. The people of Faiyum practiced a unique burial tradition that combined mummification with portraits placed over the mummy wrappings. These Faiyum portraits, preserved by the dry desert, offer a remarkable glimpse into the diverse society of the time, featuring Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Syrians, Libyans, and others. In the late 1st millennium AD, the arable area of Faiyum decreased, leading to the abandonment of settlements around the basin. Despite this decline, Faiyum’s archaeological sites, including well-preserved remnants from the late Roman Empire like Karanis, plus all the mummy portraits and papyrus fragments with literature and documents in Latin, Greek, and Egyptian scripts that provide valuable insights into this ancient society and its history.

Attractions and Things to Do in Fayum Oasis

The archaeological wealth of Faiyum Oasis is truly priceless, and many ruins of ancient villages and cities can be explored near the site of the epic city of Crocodilopolis/Arsinoe. One of the most majestic natural attractions in the oasis is Birket Qarun Lake, or Lake Moeris as the Greeks & Romans called it, it is where everyone can enjoy the most enjoyable and enriching fishing trip, which includes a variety of fishes that plays a great role in the Cairo fish trade.

The Oasis is blessed with incredible archaeological gems as it was known as the cult of the crocodile god Sobek, which held temples that were dedicated to local manifestations of many gods and their associated divinities. The cult held the priests of Sobek, who were key players in every part of the economic and social life, by buying goods from local producers and organizing religious festivals. Everyone will get a tour of amazing attractions, which include Tebtunis, Narmouthis, Soknopaiou Nesos, Bakchias, and Theadelphia, where many papyri, ostraka, and inscriptions are found there that shed light on the daily life of the priests during the early 3rd century and 4th century.

Fayoum Oasis Hotels

Fayoum Oasis is a truly magical and beautiful wonder filled with a magical combination of lush greenery, stunning lakes, and ancient ruins. It’s a popular destination for both Egyptian and international tourists, offering a variety of activities and attractions, from water sports and hiking to exploring archaeological sites and relaxing in luxurious spas.

When it comes to hotels, there are several varieties, from budget-friendly guesthouses to luxurious resorts. The most recognized hotels and resorts include Lazib Inn Resort & Spa, a marvelous 5-star resort which is located on the shores of Lake Qarun and offers stunning views of the surrounding desert. It has a variety of amenities, including a private beach, swimming pools, a spa, and several restaurants. It’s perfect for a relaxing getaway. Palm Shadow Resort is a beautiful 4-star resort located on Lake Qarun and is known for its beautiful gardens and traditional Egyptian architecture. It has a swimming pool, a spa, and a restaurant serving Egyptian and international cuisine. It’s a great option for families or couples looking for a romantic escape.

Byoum Lakeside Hotel is a blessed budget 4-star equipped hotel that is located on the shores of Lake Qarun and offers comfortable accommodations and excellent service that provide the most delightful time. Norias Hotel & Resort 3-star resort is located in the heart of Fayoum Oasis and is surrounded by lush greenery. It has a swimming pool, a restaurant, and a bar, which is a good option for travelers who want to be close to the action. Helnan Auberge Hotel is a magnificent 3-star hotel that is a good option for travelers who want to be close to the shops and restaurants. It will guarantee everyone enjoys the most amazing swimming pool, restaurant, and bar.

Facts About Faiyum City

• Fayoum is known for holding wadi Rayyan which contains the largest waterfalls in Egypt, the lake is first recorded from about 3000 BC, around the time of Menes (Narmer).
• It is 65 km from Faiyum city, which is a desert area surrounded by a small waterfall and a number of natural springs, plus a number of different animal species of reptiles, mammals, and birds and some rare endangered species.
• Within Faiyum is Wadi El Hitan, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage site in Egypt for containing hundreds of Archaeoceti, which are whale fossils going back several hundred thousand years ago. No place on earth wields this number of concentrated and high-quality fossils, which were primarily used to reveal the evolution of whales.