Passionate travelers that want to experience small and charming places should add the Nubian Village to their bucket list. Located in Aswan, Egypt, it is a rare architectural spectacle to see. As soon as we set our feet, a swarm of color greets us. The vibrancy won’t stop teasing all of your senses as you discover each hidden corner of this charming village.
The vibrant colors of the Nubian Village
While some might think that this place is randomly slashed with different colors, our eyes noticed a different story. Each color and pattern has a special meaning, and their combination reveals a unique story. The scenic village is painted in the colors of the rainbow, so have your camera ready at any time.
Throughout history, the Nubians found the Nile’s bank the perfect habitat due to its benefits. The friendly residents will welcome you with a smile on their faces, as they are very welcoming. They have their own culture, language, and customs nurtured with love and passed from generation to generation. Surprisingly they have never spoken their language to an outsider.
The Gharb Soheil Nubian village is the most common destination for tourists, where they can stay in the unique guest houses. For many years, the Nubians built houses from mud bricks to maintain optimal temperature. The charming mud houses painted in radiant colors greet enthusiastic adventurers willing to satisfy their wanderlust.
An abundance of colors and lively aesthetics
As we wandered the streets of this charming Nubian Village, our eyes couldn’t get enough of the beautiful colors and intriguing details. The rounded houses are painted with a selection of vibrant colors that create a visually appealing contrast. We notice the local’s exceptional talents, as each house exterior is decorated with authentic art. Expect to see hand-drawn pictures of traditional elements such as crocodiles, sun, moon, papyrus, boats, and coconut trees.
Exploring the captivating details
As you discover the hidden gems of this picturesque village, each corner will amaze you with its uniqueness. We couldn’t resist soaking the phenomenal views, as the blue and yellow create a visually pleasing contrast. The exquisite hand-drawn details enhanced by the rustic vibe of the crumbled door didn’t fail to impress us.
As our eyes try to capture every single detail, we couldn’t miss the beauty of this unfinished door contrasted by the rusty orange color. The artistic silhouette of a woman bearing the basket’s weight over her head compliments the aesthetics while revealing a lot about the tough life here.
Experience the energetic charm closely
One of the distinctive details that you will witness is the striking house exteriors decorated with mummified crocodiles. While this might sound morbid, the crocodile is a totem of blessings in the Nubian culture. They have been used as guards, but nowadays are a tourist attraction.
If you wish to explore more of the Nubian village’s art, head to the local market. The colors of the aromatic spices, the texture of the baskets with nuts, and the beauty of the local clothing will impress you. You can choose to hop on a colorful camel saddle ornate with colorful tassels for a unique shopping experience.
The amazing architectural wonder
If you wish to understand the rich history or witness the unique architecture, don’t miss checking the Nubian Museum in Aswan. This archeological museum hosts more than 3,000 artifacts that reveal a lot about Nubians.
Despite being the home of history and culture, this majestic building is an architectural wonder on its own. The architect Mahmoud El-Hakim kept traditional elements while seamlessly blending the structure with the rocky hills, cliffs, and the sandy horizon of Aswan. Hence, this incredible museum won the prestigious Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2001.
