Kosseir travel guide

Kosseir has a long tradition as a port

The harbour was at the end of the ancient caravan route which started in the Nile valley at Kuft and Qena and passed through Wadi Hammamat. The port was held in high esteem from ancient times because it was regarded as a safe landing place during the monsoon. In ancient Egypt, the town was called Tjau; at that time, the trade route from the Nile valley ended slightly farther north at the exit from Wadi el-Gasus. At the time of the Ptolemies, wares from the Nile valley were shipped by sea from Kosseir, and conversely, precious goods were imported from distant countries. From the Middle Ages to the 19th century, Kosseir was the preferred harbour of Mecca pilgrims who wanted to cross to Jeddah; some caravanserais which are still in operation bear witness to those days. Today, Kosseir is the export port for phosphates from the nearby mines, to which a small railway line leads. Kosseir awaits visitors with an unspectacular, but pleasant small-town atmosphere. The harbour bay with the pier is dominated by the old 16th-century fort of Sultan Selim. It gradually went to ruin, was renewed by the French in 1798 and is currently being restored. There are two simple, picturesque mosquesand a bazaar. About 10km/6mi to the north lies the site of the ancient port Kosseir el-Kedim (old Kosseir), of which little remains to be seen today. Today, there is a beautiful sandy beach here.

Kosseir travel guide by Marco Polo is this text outdated?

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