A Trip Through History: 6 Things To Do In Asyut, Egypt

Things to do in Asyut
Amy
Amy 
Updated
| 3 min read

Asyut from Egypt, also known as Lycopolis back in time, is important for its pharaonic times and has been known by different names throughout history. If you want to visit this city, prepare to learn about the history of these places. In ancient times the city was a famous centre for worshipping a god named Wepwawet and after that, the city was the largest slave market in ancient Egypt. Asyut is a place where tourists can see rugs, Inlaid woodwork, and crafted pottery. If you come here, you can also see carpet manufacturing units. Tourists can also enjoy boat trips on the Nile and learn about its past.

There are a lot of historical places to visit and religious sites as well, so if you want to spend a holiday learning more about ancient Egypt, you should come here. Here’s a list of what to do in Asyut, Egypt.

1. Visit the Holy Virgin Mary Monastery



In August, every year, hundreds of thousands of people come to visit the Monastery of The Holy Virgin Mary in Doronka, Asyut. It’s said that the Holy Family is believed to have stayed in the cave on top of the hill where the monastery now stands. This place is peaceful and is full of history and it is worth a visit this mountainside monastery with its associated cave church. You’ll also enjoy an excellent panoramic view over western Asyut. There’s also a supermarket nearby, a popcorn vendor, and coffee shop. If you climb up to the cave there’s an altar and baptism basin. This is indeed a beautiful and peaceful place where you can meditate.

The Holy Virgin Mary Monastery

Address: El-Ansar, Markaz Al Qawseyah, Assiut Governorate, Egypt

Website: The Holy Virgin Mary Monastery

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2. Take a trip to Meir Monumental Tombs

Posted by Zena Amine on Thursday, 5 June 2014

This is a hidden beautiful treasure in Asyut. You’ll have to drive for about an hour north west of Assiut. Not many people know about this special place. You’ll find unique and beautiful details here. It’s not crowded because this place is not on the touristic map, but if you have a long holiday in Egypt and if you can climb, it’s definitely worth it. Make sure you put the right shoes on because you’ll have to climb through the soft sand in order to get to the tombs. The tombs are well worth the visit, especially Tomb 4 which is larger than the rest and has a fair expanse of walls where only the drawings were done in preparation for the carving that never happened.

Meir Monumental Tombs

Address: Meir village, Asyut, Egypt

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3. Go to Deir Rifa Tombs

DeirRifaTombs
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Roland Unger used under CC BY-SA 3.0

In the secluded mountains of Asyut, you’ll find this hidden place overlooking the village of Deir Rifa. You’ll see caves and tombs that will show you an image of ancient Egypt. Hieroglyphic inscriptions talk about the ancient traditions of life and burials in these tombs. Some of these places were used as inventories in ancient times, some were used as a monastery or a nunnery. The views up the mountain are just overwhelming, but to visit this place you have to contact the local priest of the village Father Anton for preparing the visit and opening the churches.

Deir Rifa Tombs

Address: Deir Rifa village, Asyut, Egypt

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4. Go on a picnic on Banana Island

Nile
Source: Pixabay

Banana Island is a quiet and peaceful place in the north of town and it’s the perfect place for a picnic. This place is famous for its bananas and other fruit trees. You can see oranges, papaya trees and a host of banana trees with different stages of fruit. The views are amazing and the sunset is magical. In order to get there, you’ll have to take a boat ride on the Nile. You can take a tour around to see the many varieties of different fruits and herbs that are grown there. There’s also a coffee shop called Asda that is worth a visit. You can take a short trip to the banana tree farm to see how that popular fruit grows. You can also see crocodiles and monkeys here, and after you visit the banana tree farm, you can sit and enjoy some treats they offer. A good guide will take you on Felucca, where you’ll have a quick visit with a small bite and head back at sunset.

Banana Island

Address: Gezirat al-Moz, Asyut, Egypt

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5. Asyut Barrage

قنطرة المجذوب - أسيوط - مصر - AlMajzoub Barrage - Assiut - Egypt
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Tour Mana Ali used under CC BY-SA 4.0

The Asyut Barrage is located on the Nile River and it was built in 1903. It was designed by the famous British engineer Sir William Willcocks. It’s located in a crowded square surrounded by local markets and shops.

Asyut Barrage

Address: Bridge, Bani Morr, Markaz El-Fath, Assiut Governorate, Egypt

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6. Masjid Al Mojahideen

There are many historical places to visit in Asyut, and this one must be on your list. There are guides who will show you around and give you historical information. You might think you won’t understand the history of this place, but don’t worry, the guides are very attentive and they will answer your questions. It’s a beautiful religious place to visit with friends and keep in mind that you should wear something decent because it is a religious site.

Masjid Al Mojahideen

Address: Mohammad Mahmoud St, Asyut, Egypt

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A beautiful city full of history

Don’t forget your list of these things to do in Asyut and get ready to explore. Take a notebook with you to write down interesting facts about ancient history. If you’re a religious person, this will be a place for you to meditate and feel closer to God. The beautiful monasteries and the view of the Nile are a true beauty that will make this a peaceful place that’s hard to forget. Enjoy your trip through history!

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
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