Excursion to the Mons Claudianus quarries from the port of Safaga

Tour Details:

We will meet you at your cruise at the port of Safaga; You will recognize our driver by the sign with your name in his hands.

Your way to the quarries will take you through a picturesque desert landscape. About 50 km from Safaga are  the Mons Claudianus quarries. In ancient times, this place was a Roman penal colony, whose inmates quarried white marble and black granite of the highest quality in this area. They were used to build temples and palaces in the Roman Empire, such as monumental structures such as the Forum and the Pantheon in Rome.

Also here you will see the ruins of the old temple of the god Serapis, which was never finished by Emperor Hadrian, the remains of a Roman camp, dwellings, workshops and other buildings of that period. Since Bedouin attacks were frequent in ancient times, the camp was completely surrounded by a granite wall, at the corners of which rounded defensive towers were placed. You’ll see some granite fragments, some artifacts,  such as a fragment of a column, as well as broken pottery with texts written on it.

In the afternoon, our driver will take you back to your cruise, to the port of Safaga.