Overview
- History of the Nubian Museum
- Architecture and design
- Museum gardens
- Inside the Nubian Museum: Key exhibits and contributions
- An authentic Nubian local experience
History of the Nubian Museum
Founded in the early 1980s, the Nubian Museum was a collaborative effort involving specialists from the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Egyptian universities, and UNESCO. This joint initiative aimed to safeguard the archaeological, historical, cultural, and environmental treasures of Nubia, officially opening to the public in 1997.
Architecture and design
For fans of architecture, the building itself is magnificent, crafted meticulously by Egyptian architect Dr. Mahmoud Al-Hakim who designed the exterior, and Mexican engineer Pedro Ramirez Vazquez who designed the interior.
The building stands three floors tall and houses thousands of artefacts. The exterior, clad in local sandstone and pink granite, pays homage to the architectural traditions of Ancient Egypt and blends seamlessly with the surrounding landscape.
Museum gardens
The total area of the Nubian Museum covers 50,000 square meters, 7,000 of which is devoted to the main building. The remaining area opens out into a large botanical garden that doubles as an open-air museum. This landscaped area includes a portion of a Fatimid cemetery, a cave adorned with prehistoric rock inscriptions, and a symbolic waterway representing the lifeblood of ancient Egyptian civilisation - the Nile River.
Endemic plants that thrived in ancient times, as well as a reconstructed Nubian house, provide visitors with a glimpse into the historical and natural environment of Nubia and how Nubian people once lived. Visitors to the museum enjoy this enlightening introduction to Nubian culture before venturing across the Nile to a present-day village.
Inside the Nubian Musem: Key exhibits and contributions
There are over 3,000 Egyptian antiquities in the Nubian Museum, representing various eras spanning thousands of years. The internal halls contain exhibits dating back to the Pharaonic period, the Coptic era, the Islamic age and the Nubian era, as well as pieces reflecting the history of Aswan itself.
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The Nubian Museum in Aswan, Egypt by Amie Bunnik
An authentic Nubian local experience
On a Bunnik tour, guests will visit the fascinating Nubian Museum before delving further into the culture of this ancient city. Following the museum, we navigate the waterways of the Nile to a Nubian village to visit the local market and enjoy lunch with a Nubian family in their home.
Lunch with a Nubian family in Aswan, Egypt by Amie Bunnik
Discover the wonders of Egypt with Bunnik Tours
Curious about what else you’ll uncover on a small group tour of Egypt? Our tours deliver unforgettable adventures, incorporating must-see destinations like the Nubian Museum of Aswan, with unique local experiences and the freedom to explore. See more highlights from our Egyptian Discovery, Egypt & Jordan Discovery tours online or get in touch with one of our friendly travel specialists.
Need some more convincing? We asked our expert Egyptologists for their other top destinations for sightseeing in Egypt!
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Nubian Museum built?
The Nubian Museum was established in 1997 in collaboration with UNESCO. It is a reminder of what was lost beneath Lake Nasser. Exhibits are displayed in enormous halls, featuring informative descriptions that take you back as far as 4500 BC.
