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Shali Fortress, Siwa

4.6

#2 of 7 in Historic Sites in Matrouh Governorate

Lookout Historic Site

See the enigmatic ruins of Shali Fortress, which once towered above the oasis. Dating back to the 13th century, the fortress was built from "kershef"--a mixture of salt, mud, and rocks. It wasn't meant to last more than a few decades, but it was destroyed by a heavy rainfall in 1926. Today, it is largely abandoned apart from some buildings near the edges, which are mostly used for storage. Walk through the labyrinth of impressive organic shapes, which once used to rise up to 60 m (197 ft) in height. Follow the path that spans the remnants of this ghost town, past the ancient mosque to the top, which offers scenic views. Make Shali Fortress a centerpiece of your Siwa vacation itinerary, and find what else is worth visiting using our Siwa online trip planner .

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Shali Fortress Reviews

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102 reviews

• By David K D

  Such a city built of clay can only have survived as long in a desert. It is worth seeing while you can.  more »

• By 826mohamedb

  قلعه شالي من احد المباني التراثيه القديمه التي تتميز بها سيوه وتقع في وسط سيوه او مدينه شالي القديمه  more »

  Shali Castle is one of the ancient heritage buildings of Siwa, located in the centre of Siwa or the old City of Shali.
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