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All Egypt City of the Dead

City of the Dead

An endless sea of white conical domes.

Zawya Sultan Basha, Egypt

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View at one of the pathways of the cemetery   (Looklex / Tore Kjeilen)
The numerous domes of the necropolis   (Looklex / Tore Kjeilen)
Another panoramic view of the domes   (Looklex / Tore Kjeilen)
The outer edge of the necropolis, with rock-cut tombs in the surrounding cliffs (Flickr / sixes & sevens)   sixesandsevens
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Just outside the central Egyptian city of Minya lies the cemetery Zawiyyet al-Mayyiteen. Dubbed the "City of the Dead," it is considered one of the world’s largest cemeteries. It is a truly huge necropolis, but more significant than its size is its thought-provoking beauty.

Comprised of innumerable white conical domes, that stretch out across a wide plain, the necropolis appears similar to waves in the sea. Each of the several hundred mud-brick mausolea of the necropolis is topped with a dome. The cemetery stretches for several kilometers and was used by Muslims and Coptic Christians alike.

A couple of rock-cut tombs from the Old Kingdom are found at the edge of the site, as well as a small step pyramid from the early 3rd dynasty. The pyramid is remarkable because it is the only pyramid built on the eastern bank of the Nile.

The necropolis is particularly stunning at sunrise and sunset. However, visitors should be aware that this is a working cemetery and should be respectful and modestly dressed.

Related Tags

Memento Mori Architectural Oddities Catacombs Domes Cemeteries Catacombs And Crypts Architecture

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7 km southeast of Minya; Minya Governorate; Egypt

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Added By

Tawsam

Edited By

julianfkeller99

  • julianfkeller99

Published

October 28, 2011

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Sources
  • Lonely Planet Egypt; 9th Edition; May 2008
  • http://www.vantage-travels.com/-City-of-the-Dead-in-El-Minya-Egypt-Tombs-in-El-Minya-Egypt-Small-Step-Pyramid-in-El-Minya-Egypt-Vantage-Travel-International-215-p-38
  • http://looklex.com/egypt/minya01.htm
City of the Dead
Zawya Sultan Basha, 2427643
Egypt
28.057348, 30.818308

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