4.1 / 5

Tanis
📍 outside of San al-HagaView map ›

🗓 Best Time To Visit:October to April

⏰ Open Hours:8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

🎯 Things To Do:Explore ancient ruins, visit archaeological museum, photography

💰 Budget:Entry Fee: 80 EGP

🧳 Traveller Types:History enthusiasts, Archaeologists, Photographers

🏆 Known For:Archaeological ruins, ancient temples, Obelisks, Statue of Ramses II

📍 Distances:From Cairo Airport: 209 km, From Tanta: 66 km, From Port Said: 60 km

📌 Tips:Wear comfortable shoes for walking, carry a hat and sunscreen, hire a guide for better understanding of the site

🔎 Uniqueness:One of Egypt's oldest cities, rich in archaeological discoveries

📚 Historical Significance:Capital of Egypt during the 21st and 22nd Dynasties

🚗 Accessibility:Accessible via car or bus from Cairo, Tanta, and Port Said

Have questions about Tanis?Ask the Tripoto Community ›

Tanis: The Lost City of the Pharaohs - A Guide to Egypt’s Hidden Treasure

Have you ever dreamed of exploring a city that was once the capital of the pharaohs, but was buried under the sand for centuries? If so, then you should visit Tanis, one of the most fascinating and mysterious sites in Egypt. In this article, you will learn about the history, culture, and discoveries of Tanis, as well as how to visit this amazing destination.

History of Tanis

Tanis was founded in the 21st Dynasty, around 1070 BCE, as a new capital for the kings who reunited Egypt after a period of chaos and division. The city was located in the eastern Nile Delta, near the ancient city of Avaris, which was the capital of the Hyksos, a foreign dynasty that ruled Egypt in the 17th and 16th centuries BCE. Tanis inherited many of the monuments and treasures of Avaris, as well as those of other ancient cities, such as Memphis and Thebes, which were moved to Tanis by the kings who wanted to enhance their prestige and legitimacy.

Tanis reached its peak of glory and power in the 22nd Dynasty, also known as the Libyan Dynasty, which ruled Egypt from 945 to 715 BCE. The kings of this dynasty were descendants of Libyan mercenaries who settled in the Nile Delta and became influential in the Egyptian politics and military. They built magnificent temples and tombs in Tanis, dedicated to the god Amun, the supreme deity of the Egyptian pantheon, who was also worshipped in Thebes, the rival city of Tanis. The kings of Tanis also maintained diplomatic and trade relations with other countries and civilizations, such as Assyria, Phoenicia, and Israel.

Tanis declined in the 25th and 26th Dynasties, when Egypt was invaded and conquered by the Kushites from Nubia and the Assyrians from Mesopotamia. The city was eventually abandoned and forgotten, until it was rediscovered and excavated by modern archaeologists in the 19th and 20th centuries CE.

Culture of Tanis

Tanis was a city that reflected the diversity and complexity of the ancient Egyptian culture. The city was influenced by the traditions and styles of different regions and periods of Egypt, as well as by the cultures and religions of other peoples and nations. The city was a melting pot of various ethnicities and languages, such as Egyptians, Libyans, Nubians, Assyrians, Phoenicians, and Israelites.

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The most prominent aspect of the culture of Tanis was the worship of Amun, the king of the gods, who was also known as Amun-Re, the combination of Amun and Re, the sun god. The main temple of Tanis was dedicated to Amun, and it was modeled after the famous temple of Karnak in Thebes. The temple was adorned with colossal statues, obelisks, and sphinxes, some of which were original creations, and some of which were reused from other sites. The temple was also the center of the annual festival of Opet, which celebrated the union of Amun and his consort, Mut, and their son, Khonsu, the moon god. The festival involved a procession of the sacred barks of the gods, which were carried by priests and accompanied by music, dancing, and offerings.

Another important aspect of the culture of Tanis was the art and architecture of the city, which displayed a unique and distinctive style. The art and architecture of Tanis were influenced by the styles of the New Kingdom, the period of the 18th to 20th Dynasties, which was considered the golden age of ancient Egypt. The art and architecture of Tanis were also influenced by the styles of the foreign dynasties and cultures, such as the Hyksos, the Libyans, and the Assyrians. The art and architecture of Tanis were characterized by a mixture of realism and symbolism, simplicity and elegance, and innovation and imitation. The art and architecture of Tanis were expressed in various forms, such as sculptures, reliefs, paintings, jewelry, pottery, and metalwork.

Discoveries of Tanis

Tanis was a city that hid many secrets and treasures under its sand. The city was discovered and excavated by several explorers and archaeologists, who made remarkable and valuable finds. The first explorer who identified Tanis was the French traveler and scholar, Jean-François Champollion, who deciphered the hieroglyphs and visited Egypt in 1828 CE. He recognized Tanis as the biblical city of Zoan, which was mentioned in the Old Testament as the place where Moses performed miracles before the Pharaoh. The first archaeologist who excavated Tanis was the French Egyptologist, Auguste Mariette, who worked in Egypt in the mid-19th century CE. He uncovered the ruins of the temple of Amun and some of the royal tombs of the 21st and 22nd Dynasties.

The most famous and successful archaeologist who excavated Tanis was the French Egyptologist, Pierre Montet, who worked in Egypt in the early 20th century CE. He made sensational discoveries in the royal necropolis of Tanis, which rivaled those of Howard Carter in the Valley of the Kings. He found the intact tombs of several kings of the 21st and 22nd Dynasties, such as Psusennes I, Amenemope, Shoshenq II, and Osorkon II, which contained rich and exquisite funerary equipment, such as coffins, masks, jewelry, vessels, and weapons. The most spectacular find was the silver coffin of Psusennes I, which was the only silver coffin ever found in Egypt, and which was more precious than gold in ancient times. Another amazing find was the gold mask of Shoshenq II, which was similar to the famous gold mask of Tutankhamun, the boy king of the 18th Dynasty.

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The discoveries of Tanis also revealed some surprising and intriguing connections with other ancient sites and civilizations. For instance, some of the treasures of Tanis were originally from the tomb of Tutankhamun, which was robbed and plundered in antiquity, and some of the objects were transferred to Tanis by the kings who wanted to protect and reuse them. Another example is the presence of a large number of bronze statuettes of the god Baal, who was the chief god of the Phoenicians, a seafaring people who lived in the eastern Mediterranean and who had close contacts with the Egyptians. Moreover, some of the inscriptions and seals found in Tanis mentioned the names of the kings of Israel and Judah, such as David, Solomon, Jeroboam, and Ahab, who had political and military alliances and conflicts with the kings of Egypt.

How to Visit Tanis

Tanis is a destination that offers a unique and adventurous experience for travelers who are interested in history and culture. However, visiting Tanis requires some planning and preparation, as the site is not easily accessible and not well-maintained. Here are some practical and useful information for travelers who want to visit Tanis:

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The best time to visit Tanis is from October to April, when the weather is mild and pleasant, and the sandstorms are less frequent and severe.

The transportation options to Tanis are limited and expensive, as the site is located in a remote and rural area, about 200 km northeast of Cairo, and about 40 km southeast of Zagazig, the nearest city. The most convenient and comfortable way to visit Tanis is by hiring a private car with a driver and a guide, which can cost around $200-$300 per day. Alternatively, you can take a train or a bus from Cairo to Zagazig, and then take a taxi or a minibus from Zagazig to Tanis, which can cost around $10-$20 per person.

The entrance fee to Tanis is 80 Egyptian pounds (about $5) for foreigners and 40 Egyptian pounds (about $2.5) for Egyptians. The ticket also includes the entrance to the nearby site of Bubastis, another ancient city that was dedicated to the cat goddess, Bastet.

The tour guides in Tanis are scarce and unreliable, as the site is not popular and not well-promoted. The best option is to hire a professional and licensed guide from Cairo or Zagazig, who can provide you with accurate and detailed information about the site and its history. Alternatively, you can buy or download a guidebook or an app that can help you navigate and understand the site and its monuments.

Some tips and suggestions for making the most of your visit to Tanis

Wear comfortable and protective clothing, shoes, hat, and sunglasses, as the site is exposed and dusty, and the sun can be harsh and strong.

Bring enough water, snacks, and sunscreen, as the site does not have any facilities or services, such as shops, cafes, or restrooms.

Beware of the wild dogs that roam around the site, and do not approach or feed them, as they can be aggressive and dangerous.

Respect the site and its environment, and do not touch, damage, or litter the monuments and the artifacts, as they are fragile and precious.

Enjoy the site and its atmosphere, and imagine how it was in its heyday, when it was the home of the pharaohs and the gods.

Tanis is a unique and fascinating destination for history and culture lovers, and a place that will make you feel like an adventurer and an explorer. In this article, you learned about the history, culture, and discoveries of Tanis, as well as how to visit this amazing site. If you are looking for a different and exciting experience in Egypt, then you should visit Tanis, the lost city of the pharaohs.

If you are interested in booking a tour to Tanis, or if you want to learn more about this and other destinations in Egypt, please visit our website, subscribe to our newsletter, or follow us on social media.

We would love to hear from you and help you plan your next trip. Thank you for reading, and we hope to see you soon.

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