Suhag lies 470 km from Cairo.

ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT HISTORICAL SITES ABYDOS

Situated on the West Bank of the Nile, 12 km southeast of Al-Ballyana, it was the chief center for worshipping the god Osiris.

It is famous for its cemeteries and tombs discovered in 1895, attributed to the kings of the first two dynasties.

OTHER IMPORTANT MONUMENTS THE GREAT TEMPLE OF SETI I

The temple, commemorating Seti I, shows his various relationships with the gods and godesses.

The Orion, behind the temple, is just symbolic since Seti I was buried in his famous tomb in the Valley of the Kings at Luxor.

The renowned Tablet of Abydos contains the names of Egypt's Kings, from Menes to Seti I. THE TEMPLE OF RAMSES II

Although little remains, the walls retain vivid and brightly coloured scenes. The temple also contains a full record of the renowned Battle of Kadish. Suhag hosts a significant number of monasteries and churches dating back to the early Christian period. The most important of these are:

Deir Amba Shenudah (Monastery of St Shenute) known as Deir Al-AByad (White Monastery), housing a 5th century church.

Deir Amba Bishoy (Monastery of St. Bishoi) or Deir Al-Ahmar to the northwest of Deir Al Abyad, housing its ancient church.

HOW TO REACH SUHAG By daily airconditioned trains, scheduled at regular hours.

By private vehicles, taxis and tourist buses.

The Upper Egypt Bus Company organizes excursions to Suhag.