What do you know about Pharaoh's Island?

ArabiaWeather.com - The Egyptian Pharaoh's Island is located in the Gulf of Aqaba, off the shores of the Sinai Peninsula, about 10 kilometers south of Taba.

It is said that the first naming of the island was during the reign of Pharaoh Ramses III, but many researchers and studies deny this. The island has gone through many historical periods due to its importance, especially the conflict during the Crusades.

The visitor can do some marine activities represented in snorkeling and diving among the coral reefs located on the northern side of the island, in addition to photography and cruises with boats coming from the resorts, hotels and beaches in the south of Taba. Not to mention visiting one of the important Islamic historical monuments.

Saladin Island

Saladin Castle on the island has an amazing panoramic view that includes both the Egyptian , Palestinian, Jordanian and Saudi lands, and the visitor can enjoy a beautiful time in this inspiring historical and natural place between the blue waters and coral reefs.

The castle was built by Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi in 567 AH, corresponding to the year 1171 AD. The purpose of its construction was to repel raids during the Crusades and to protect pilgrims sailing across the Gulf of Aqaba because it is located at a narrow point in the Gulf.

The castle includes defensive facilities that are very impressive in a way that calls for admiration, between the walls, towers, and furnaces for the manufacture of weapons and the hall for military meetings, in addition to the necessities of living such as rooms for soldiers, stores, bathrooms, water tanks, and the mosque as well, and the castle witnessed many additions during the Mamluk period and then the Ottoman Empire.

For information, the Citadel of Salah al-Din was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative Indicative List in 2003 due to its great value in Islamic history.