القصير
El Qoseir or Al-Qusair (Arabic: القصير) is a city in eastern Egypt, located on the Red Sea coast. Populated for approximately 5,000 years, its ancient name during the Ptolemaic era was Myos Hormos. Historically, it was the endpoint of the Wadi Hammamat trail, an important route connecting Egypt and the Red Sea.
El Qoseir is located half way between Hurghada and Marsa Alam which are both about 130 kilometers away. Practically in the middle of nowhere, the town is spared by the hordes of international tourists who stay in the big resorts. The contrast between tourist and everyday life couldn't be bigger.
El Qoseir has some traditional local markets where the Ababda and Ma’aza Bedouin and other local farmers sell their products.
The dirty esplanade and beaches don't make you smile. Unfortunately there's a lot of rubbish all over the streets and town squares as well.
The only well maintained touristic place is the fort of El Qoseir in the centre of town. The castle was originally built by Sultan Selim the 1st in 1517 to protect Egypt’s most important port on the Red Sea. It was later used by French troops.
Around the fort are the old living quarters of the approximately 5,000 years old town. El Qoseir has about 24,000 inhabitants.
El Qosier is a place where Muslims and Christians work and live alongside each other. There are 33 mosques, but the town is also home to a thousand Coptic Christians and has the only church within 100 kilometres.
Unexpected: Saint George and the Dragon in El Qoseir.
As you can see in the pictures, the town of El Qoseir has some really interesting colourful photo spots. I hope that you enjoy the photographs. Please comment if you like them.
