Mersa
Matrouh lies 290 km. west of Alexandria and 222 km. from Sallum. The
distance from Cairo to Matrouh is 524 km. It lies on a bay on the
Mediterranean and is distinguished by its 7 km. long beach which -
as all visitors have testified - is one of the most beautiful in the
world. The beach is famous for its white soft sands and calm transparent
waters, for the bay is protected from the high seas by a series of
rocks forming a natural wave-breaker, with an opening to allow small
vessels in.This beach dates back to the days of Alexander, the Macedonian,
when it was known as "Paraetonium" and also as "Amunia".
It is said that Alexander the Great stopped there during his historical
expedition to pay tribute, and sacrifice, to the god Amun, at Siwa,
so that he would become Amun's Son and his rule be a historical continuation
of the pharaohs. There are ruins of a temple from the time of Ramses
II (1200 B.C.) in Matrouh. |
