Caravanserai

Southern Nile Valley


The best-preserved of the caravanserais in Esna, the beautiful Wikalat Al Gidawi was named after the merchant Shahbandar Al Tuggar Al Sayed Hasan Al Gedawi. Merchants from Sudan, Somalia, Kenya, Central Africa and elsewhere stayed on the 2nd floor here, and a market was held regularly in the courtyard, with elephant tusks, ostrich feathers, Arabic gum and other exotica for sale.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Southern Nile Valley attractions

1. Temple of Khnum

0.02 MILES

Construction of the Temple of Khnum, the ram-headed creator god who fashioned humankind on his potter’s wheel, was begun by Ptolemy VI Philometor (180–45…

2. Emari Minaret

0.04 MILES

Built in 1082 AD, this Fatimid minaret is one of the oldest in Egypt. The various layers, square base, cylindrical upper part, concave octagonal drum and…

3. Al Kab

20.91 MILES

Originally known as Nekheb, Al Kab was one of the most important and oldest cities of ancient Egypt, dedicated to the vulture goddess Nekhbet. The site is…

4. Al Kab Tombs

21.37 MILES

Cut into the ridge across the road from the village of Al Kab is a row of tombs. The most interesting is No 2, from the New Kingdom (1550–1069 BC), which…

5. Temple of Horus

28.84 MILES

This Ptolemaic temple, built between 237 and 57 BC, is one of the best-preserved ancient monuments in Egypt. Preserved by desert sand, which filled the…

6. Luxor Temple

29.12 MILES

Largely built by the New Kingdom pharaohs Amenhotep III (1390–1352 BC) and Ramses II (1279–1213 BC), this temple is a strikingly graceful monument in the…

7. Mummification Museum

29.27 MILES

Housed in the former visitors centre on Luxor’s corniche, the Mummification Museum has well-presented exhibits explaining the art of mummification. The…

8. Art from People to People

29.31 MILES

A new venture in Luxor, this art gallery and centre is located in a small place behind the Nile Valley Hotel. Run by Eiad Oraby, it showcases local…

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