The Nubian Museum in Aswan in Upper Egypt overlooking the Nile River is a piece of art that displays a variety of artifacts linking the history of the ancient Egyptians to Nubian culture and civilization.
The museum was opened in 1997, after it was built at the initiative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) following a campaign carried out between 1960 and 1980 to save ancient Egyptian treasures and move them away from places flooded by the Nile River, in preparation for the construction of the High Dam.
During the following lines, we will review All information about the wonderful Nubia Museum, which tells the authentic history of Egypt.
About Nubian Museum In Aswan
The Nubian Museum is a museum located in Aswan, Egypt, dedicated to the history and culture of the Nubian people.
It was established in 1997 to showcase the rich history and cultural heritage of the Nubian people, who lived in the region along the Nile River in southern Egypt and northern Sudan.
The museum includes exhibits on the history, religion, language, customs and traditions of the Nubian people, as well as their art, music and daily life.
It also contains a collection of artifacts and manuscripts from Nubian cemeteries and archaeological sites.
The Nubian Museum is an important destination for history buffs interested in learning more about the culture of the Nubian people.
The museum includes many exhibits showcasing the rich history and cultural heritage of the Nubian people, including their daily lives, religion, dialect, customs, and traditions.
Study artifacts and manuscripts from Nubian cemeteries and archaeological sites, including pottery, jewelry, and textiles.
You can learn about the past and present of the Nubian people, including the Nubian Kingdom and its influence on ancient Egyptian civilization.
The Nubian Museum in Aswan is designed to reflect traditional Nubian architecture, characterized by sandstone walls, domed roofs, and intricate carvings.
The museum includes a film that provides an overview of Nubian culture and history and offers you a glimpse into the lives of the Nubian people.
More information about the Nubia Museum
The total area of the museum is 50 thousand square meters, of which seven thousand square meters are allocated to the building while the rest is allocated to gardens.
The museum documents the culture, heritage and history of Nubia, which is one of the ancient kingdoms and civilizations that lived on the banks of the Nile between southern Egypt and northern Sudan, and its people speak the Nubian language. They constitute a large group of Aswan residents.
The Nubia Museum in Aswan is distinguished by Egyptian antiquities dating back to the geological, Pharaonic, Roman, Coptic and Islamic eras, and it is considered the only museum in Egypt that contains artifacts and an ethnographic exhibition of cultural heritage.
The Nubia Museum consists of three floors:
The basement contains the main exhibition hall, restoration laboratories, workshops, antiquities stores, a reception center, and an outdoor theatre.
Ground floor: It has the main entrance, an exhibition hall, a lecture hall, a hall for VIPs, security and administration rooms, and the room of the director general of museums.
The first floor includes the cafeteria, library, museum, photography and microfilm rooms, museum administration and services.
About the design of the Nubia Museum
As soon as visitors pass through the external gate of the museum, the garden welcomes them with an obelisk engraved with hieroglyphic texts.
And surrounded by statues of four sandstone monkeys dating back to the Nineteenth Pharaonic Dynasty, which ruled ancient Egypt about 3,200 years ago.
After passing the main door of the museum, visitors pass a staircase that takes them to the wall of the main exhibition hall, in the middle of which is a standing statue of King Ramses II, eight meters tall, which is the first thing that attracts the attention of visitors from afar as soon as they enter the museum.
The museum also contains many Pharaonic artifacts, including a sandstone statue in the form of a baboon of the god of wisdom Djehuti (Thoth), dating back to the Nineteenth Dynasty.
A quartzite statue of the priest Hor-emakhet dates back to the Twenty-fifth Dynasty.
A limestone statue of the military leader Senbibu dating back to the Twelfth Dynasty, and a small statue of the goddess Isis breastfeeding her child, the idol Horus, dating back to the Late Period, and others.
The design of the museum took into account the codes of all museums, and it has ascending and descending corridors to help disabled visitors move around inside it, and there is no decoration on the ceilings or walls so that the focus is on the displayed pieces.”
The Nubia Museum, which won the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2001, was designed by Egyptian architect Mahmoud Al-Hakim, and many visual artists and archaeologists participated in its implementation.
The museum has no outlets for external lights or sunlight so as not to harm the artifacts. The museum also contains a library on the ground floor, antiquities stores, and restoration laboratories in the basement.
Sections of the Nubian Museum in Aswan
The Nubia Museum in Aswan has several sections, each of which displays a stage in the history of Nubia from prehistoric times to the Nubian Kingdom of Kush until the Christian and Islamic eras of Nubia.
Many of the artifacts displayed in the museum were rescued from Lake Nasser in Aswan during the UNESCO project to rescue Egyptian antiquities, which lasted 20 years, including Nubian antiquities such as statues, mummies, amulets, utensils, jewelry, pottery, and others.
On the opposite side of the main exhibition hall, there is an entire pavilion for an ethnographic exhibition of Nubian cultural heritage, which includes life-sized models of Nubian customs and traditions.
Such as a Nubian farmer using a shadoof, two Nubian women sitting on a sofa outside the house, Nubian children studying at the kottab, a Nubian wedding party, and more.
This part of the Nubian heritage is the focus of interest of the museum’s visitors from Aswan, while foreign tourists are very attracted to the Pharaonic artifacts.
The statue of King Ramesses II, which is in the middle of the main hall, is one of the most important pieces on display, as Ramesses II combined the Pharaonic and Nubian civilizations and married Queen Nefertari, who was of Nubian origin.
The Nubia Museum attracts dozens of Egyptian and foreign tourists every day, some of whom even visited the museum more than once.
Nubian Museum: Working hours and ticket prices
The Nubian Museum receives visits seven days a week, including holidays and official holidays. The daily visiting hours for the museum are from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and the box office closes at 4:45 pm.
In addition, the Nubian Museum operates on Thursday and Friday of each week in two shifts, morning and evening, the first from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and the second from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, during which the box office is closed. 8:45 pm.
As for the prices of tickets for the exhibition, they are as follows:-
- The price of a ticket to visit the museum for Egyptians and Arabs is only 30 Egyptian pounds.
- The price of a ticket to visit the museum for Egyptian and Arab students is only 10 pounds.
Ticket prices for visiting the Nubian museum in Aswan for foreigners
- The price of a ticket to visit the Nubian museum in Aswan for foreigners is 200 pounds.
- The price of a ticket to visit the Nubian museum in Aswan for a foreign student is only 100 pounds.
In the end, the Nubian Museum in Aswan is an important tourist destination in the winter, and it is one of the most important shrines that visitors from different countries of the world come to. It is an embodiment of simple Nubian life from ancient times until contemporary history, with a description of the distinctive customs and traditions of the Nubians.
Tours To Nubian Museum by Category
Category Name |
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Alexandria Tour Packages |
Cairo Short Breaks |
Giza Pyramids Day Tours |
Egypt Honeymoon Packages |
Egypt Travel Packages |
Luxor Short Breaks |
Nile Cruises |
Egypt Sahara Tour Packages |
Tours To The Nubian Museum
Tour Name Duration Egypt 12 Days : The Ultimate Itinerary 12 Days – 11 Nights 10 Days Cairo & Nile Cruise and Hurghada Trip 10 Days – 9 Nights 4 Days Cairo and Aswan Tour Package 4 Days – 3 Nights 5 Days Cairo, Aswan and Abu Simbel Tour Package 5 Days – 4 Nights Aswan Sightseeing – One Day Tour 1 Day – 10 Hours Nubian Museum in Aswan: Key Questions Answered
What can I expect to see at the Nubian Museum in Aswan?
You’ll find a rich collection of artifacts showcasing Nubian culture and history, including pottery, jewelry, and statues. The museum also features informative displays about the resettlement of Nubian villages during the construction of the Aswan High Dam.
How much is the entry fee for the Nubian Museum?
As of 2023, the entry fee for adults is about 60 EGP. Discounts are available for students and children. It’s always good to check for the latest prices before visiting.
What are the museum’s opening hours?
The museum is generally open from 9 AM to 5 PM every day. Keep in mind that hours might change on holidays, so it’s wise to verify before you go.
Is there a guided tour available?
Yes, guided tours are available for an extra fee. A guide can provide deeper insights into the exhibits and the history of Nubia, enhancing your visit.
Can I take photos inside the Nubian museum in Aswan?
Photography is allowed in most areas, but you should avoid using a flash. Some special exhibits might have restrictions, so look for signs or ask a staff member.
How long should I plan to spend at the Nubian museum in Aswan?
Most visitors spend about two to three hours exploring the exhibits. If you’re really into history or archaeology, you might want to allow more time.
Is the museum accessible for people with disabilities?
The museum is wheelchair accessible, with ramps and elevators in place to facilitate movement. If you have specific needs, contacting the museum in advance could ensure a smoother visit.
Are there any facilities for children?
There’s a dedicated area for children where they can engage in interactive activities related to Nubian culture and history, making it educational and fun.
Can I buy souvenirs at the Nubian Museum in Aswan?
Yes, there’s a gift shop on-site offering a variety of souvenirs like books, crafts, and replicas of artifacts. These make great keepsakes or gifts.
Is there a place to eat nearby?
The museum has a small café where you can grab a snack or a drink. Alternatively, several restaurants are located within a short walking distance from the museum.