Known for its sand dunes, palm trees and olive trees that are scattered in the Oasis with clear wells and springs, Siwa is by far the most beautiful of the Egyptian Oases. Siwa Oasis is located about 300 kilometers to the west of Mersa Matrouh and is considered the best place for environmental treatment in Egypt.
Sand Baths: Located to the south west of Siwa Oasis; El Dakrror Mountain is believed to be sacred and has along the years got fame as a place for treating rheumatism and joint pains. The hot dry sand of the desert was used by the locals for “sand bath” treatments where being buried neck-deep in the sand has for ages been a traditional treatment method for multiple medical conditions such as rheumatism, joint pain, infertility or impotence.
This kind of environmental treatment has recently gained fame and has attracted tourists from all over the world seeking therapy there. The moderate climate, the percentage of evaporation, humidity, the beautiful scenery has made Siwa an ultimate getaway for therapeutic tourism.
Hot Springs: Siwa Oasis has got many springs, they are being used as environmental treatment place, and the water is capable of curing some diseases such as psoriasis, rheumatism and some digestive system diseases.
The most famous springs is the Kegar well; the temperature of its water is 67 degree Celsius. Scientific research proved that the water contains amounts of minerals similar to that found in the water of the springs of Karlovy Vary, the world famous Health Center in the Czeck Republic, where tourists flock to get their treatments.
Siwa was first settled by roaming North African tribes. Greek settlers arrived in the seventh century BC. The Temple of the Oracle of Amun, built in the sixth century BC, probably on the site of an earlier temple, was dedicated to Amun (occasionally referred to as Zeus or Jupiter Ammon) and was a powerful symbol of the town’s wealth. One of the most revered oracles in the ancient Mediterranean, its power was such that some rulers sought its advice while others sent armies to destroy it.
However, the temple is only one of many attractions in Siwa. Others include Shali Fortress, Cleopatra’s Pool, Fatnis Island, the Mountain of the Dead, the Museum of Siwan Traditions and Lake Zeitun.
Cleopatra’s Pool is Siwa’s most famous spring. Crystal-clear water gushes up into a large stone pool, which is a popular bathing spot for locals and tourists alike.
The Mountain of the Dead is a small hill at the northern end of Siwa. It is honeycombed with rock tombs dating back to ancient Egypt’s 26th dynasty, Ptolemaic and Roman times. The tombs were used by the inhabitants of the oasis for shelter when Italians occupying Libya bombed the oasis during World War II.