Hurghada

History of Hurghada

The history of Hurghada could be identified by two distinctive dates: 1905 when a small fishing village was established, and 1980 when the modern city was inaugurated.

Ancient Egyptians were also a part of the history of the Red Sea region; ancient port of Al Quseir lies roughly 140 km / 87 miles south of Hurghada.

Al Quseir was anciently known as Thagho, Licos Limen and also Portus Albus, which means “a small fortress or palace”. Al Quseir was first mentioned by 1493 BC by Queen Hatshepsut, explorers were sent in a legendary expedition to the ancient land of Punt “Somali coast nowadays”. Ancient documents mention about a plenty of goods acquired from this place in her way to Punt like ebony, ivory, frankincense and exotic wildlife.

Hurghada was also mentioned in Ottoman documents, as it was an important port on the way to Mecca (Arabian Peninsula) which lies on the opposite shore of the Red Sea. They built a fortress to protect the prosperous port during the countless trips of pilgrimage. During the last century, Ottoman fortifications protected the city from foreign invaders. The port was abandoned during the mid-19th century, coinciding with inauguration of Suez Canal.

The small fishing village of Hurghada was established in 1905, as a great potential beach resort. International investors developed the city of Hurgahda, which became, nowadays, the foremost tourist resort of the Red Sea coast and an international center for aquatic sports.

Geology of the Red Sea

Geologists claim that Red Sea underwent several movement of plates on the Earth’s surface about 30 million years ago. Separation of the Arabian Peninsula from Africa occured 10 million years later . The Peninsula started to move northwards, the Gulf of Aqaba was formed with a young age and enough deep reaches to 1800 meters North of the Straits of Tiranm the depth going lower by reaching to Dahb with 100 meters only, while the old Gulf of Suez is relatively shallow, with 85 meters maximum depth.

Water Activities

The worldwide fame of the city’s coral reefs and rare marine life, attract international beach-goers. Visitors can enjoy the exquisite underwater marine life through well-equipped glass bottom submarines. Visitors usually choose Hurgahda as an ideal environment for enjoying their activities and interests, including windsurfing, sailing, deep-sea fishing, swimming, snorkeling and diving.

Hurghada is considered a perfect choice to dive, becuase of the unique underwater gardens, warm waters, varieties of rare fish and coral reefs. Heading southwards, the city is rich with diving locations like East of blenda coral reef, Abu–Ramada Grana coral reef, Abu Hasish Island coral reef, West of blenda coral reef and Megawish Island coral reef. While the northern diving locations in the city include: Abu-Monkar coral reef, Abu katra coral reef, Abu Nahass coral reef, Um –Kamar coral reef, Al-oroof coral reef , Al-Fanadeer coral reef, and North of Al-Geftoon coral reef. 

Recreational Activities

Variety of collections of the Red Sea flora and fauna are displayed in the museum and aquarium. Many activities and facilities can be practiced at Hurghada resorts. Some larger resorts include zoos, playgrounds, discos, bars, pools, small theaters, raucous parties, isolated scuba diving, golf, bowling and fishing. Snorkeling, diving and fish barbecue can be enjoyed at 24 surrounding islands, including: Giftun, Umm Gammar, Abu Ramada, and Shadwan Islands. Tourists and visitors usually prefer Safari trips to explore the mountains around the Red Sea coast.

Cultural Activities

Cultural tourism can also be experienced at the Red Sea region; a various collection of monuments dates back to different eras: Pharaonic inscriptions were discovered at Um Al-Fawageer in Wadi El-Hamamat 235 km south Hurghada. Roman ruins were discovered in two sites: 71 km south of Hurghada and at 65 km norht Hurghada, as well as remains of Roman temples at Gabal EI-Dokhan. You can also visit two great monasteries dating back to the 4th century AD. St. Antonius’s Monastery lies 50 km north Za’farana and known as one of the largest and oldest Christian monasteries. While, St. Paula’s Monastery is found on the Ra’as Ghareb-Za’afarana road.

Islamic monuments include the Sufi shrine of Sheikh Abu El Hassan El-Shazli, that dates back to the 12th Century AD, the tower of Sultan Selim at El Qusseir, 140 km south of Hurghada. Tourists usually visit Luxor from Hurghada, in over day or over night trips.