Ombos Attractions

On the west bank, opposite Qus, is the village of Tukh, to the northwest of which, on the edge of the desert, are the remains of ancient Ombos, which was capital of Upper Egypt in very early times and had Seth as its protective deity. Near by are large prehistoric cemeteries. Farther south, also on the west bank and reached from Tukh, is Naqada, a Coptic village, to the north of which, on the fringes of the desert, is a badly ruined brick mastaba dating from the time of Menes, legendary founder of the Egyptian kingdom. Between Naqada and Qamula, along the edge of the desert, are several old Coptic monasteries which are said to date from the time of the Empress Helena. The largest of these, Deir el-Malak, stands in the Coptic cemetery of Naqada. Built of sun dried brick, it has four adjoining churches, the largest of which is dedicated to St Michael. The monastery, which has no fewer than 28 domes, is now unoccupied, being used only on certain feast days when priests come from Naqada. To the west are the ruins of the Monastery of St Samuet.