In the heart of Egypt’s Western Desert, a charming oasis with breathtaking landscape is welcoming visitors seeking respite from the urban hustle and bustle. This magical spot lies 800 kilometres from Cairo and 300 kilometres west of Marsa Matrouh. Once you set foot in this idyll, you will be soothed by palms trees, crystal-clear water and olive groves.
Let The Egyptian Gazette take you on a journey to explore one of Egypt’s hidden treasures. Did you know that the purest salt you will ever know comes from the mines of the Siwa Oasis. While it might make you thirsty just thinking about it, the salt lakes of Siwa, Aghormy, Zeitoun and Maraqi are on the therapeutic tourism map.
Mohamed Mahmoud is head of the Siwa Media Office, which is affiliated to the State Information Service. Mahmoud told this newspaper that the exploration of salt mines in 2010 has reinvigorated therapeutic tourism in Siwa.
“The peak season is from June to September. Tourists can enjoy a full course of treatment from salt to sulfur and burial in the sand,” he said.
Salt caves in Siwa are being used for the treatment of psoriasis and rheumatism, as well as alleviating depression and absorbing negative energy, Mahmoud added.
Did you know that huge quantities of salt are exported? And did you know that salt is a renewable resource?
“Salt can be extracted every six months. What is taken out is replaced 20-odd weeks later,” Mahmoud said.
Mahmoud went on to Say that Siwa residents use this salt to make some products like the lampshades that are made of salt.
“Salt lampshades are the most popular souvenirs from Siwa,” he said.
Table salt is an ionic compound which occurs in crystalline form in nature, even if it is dissolved in sea water.
You can also find salt mines in Port Said Governorate and in the vicinity of Lake Qaroun, near Fayyoum.
The salinity in these lakes is five times that of sea water, which makes it a national treasure, leading job creation and a top-quality local product.
Salt mine worker Shaaban told this newspaper that Siwa salt is the purest and finest in the world.
“The salt on the top layer can be used to melt snow or it can be sold to petrochemical companies,” Shaaban said.
“Siwa salt does not need any chemical processes to extract it because it is found in the form of crystals that are easy to process,” he said.
