El Fayoum
The Province of El Fayoum is the largest and westernmost of the several oases scatterred across the western desert. It feeds on an off shoot of the Nile and is a center of a cultivated area.
El Faiyum, being an isolated land provided protection to the early centers of christianity. After the Arab conquest, a large number of the population of El Faiyum accepted Islam and some Muslim bedouins came to settle in the area. However, it remained a great center of christianity for a long time.
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The city's dominate attractions are the water wheels built by the Greek settlers, the canals, and the Obelisk which stands at the city's northern entrance and was erected in honor of Senwosret I (12th Dynasty). This monument was originally found in two pieces during the 18th century and was recently reconstructed and erected in the City. It is thought to be the only Obelisk in Egypt with a rounded top, and has a cleft where a golden statue of Ra was originally placed.
The canal is the main avenue for most commerce in the city. The covered market place and the adjacent street of gold smiths found across the 4th bridge to the west of the central tourist office, are worth a visit .
originally named Crocodilopolis, then Arsinoe, Medinet El-Fayoum was the main place of worship of the crocodile god, Sobek. Apparently, during ancient Medinet, crocodiles were adorned with gold and fed honey cakes and meat by the priests. Of interest are the huge wooden waterwheels. The waters of the Bahr Yusef are distributed throughout the oasis from Medinet, the capital of the Faiyum. Approximately 200 of the great waterwheels are located throughout the oasis. The Seven Waterwheels, a Fayoumm landmark, are surrounded by mangos, palms and willows. A great stone obelisk was erected in honour of Senwosret I in Abgig during the 12th Dynasty. It was discovered on the ground in two pieces during the 18th century and was recently reconstructed and erected in Medinet.
