Taba Egypt

Where Borders Meet

Taba Egypt is conveniently situated at the point where four countries meet. Fast becoming a major tourist destination, it overlooks not only Egypt, but Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel. It currently boasts 5-star hotels, great restaurants and quaint, cozy beach cafes. The border can be crossed on foot, and there is direct bus service to Eilat, Israel. And there is a brand new beach comunity, Taba Heights, nearing completion, which will offer a wide variety of fun and interesting activities.

On a historic note, not far from Taba Egypt, in the Gulf of Aqba, lies Pharaohs Island, one of the least known of the many major forts in Egypt. This fortress, built at the time of the Crusades, would no doubt attract much larger crowds were it located in more of a mainstream tourist destination, but those tourists (like you?) who make an effort to visit the fort will not only find it fascinating, but probably have the island mostly to themselves.

Also known as Coral Island, Pharaoh's Island is where Naldwin I, King of Jerusalem, built the fortress, from which one can see into four countries (see above). It is thought work on the fort began around 1116 AD. It was constructed for three main reasons:

• It was in the center of a huge trade route between the Far East and Europe.
• It was defended easily, being out of range of land-based catapults and was on high ground.
• It was in the narrowest section of the Gulf of Aqaba.

The fortress was originally called Ile De Graye Castle. While still in the hands of the Crusaders, it was used to collect taxes on Arab merchants and occasionally to attack Arab shipping. Meanwhile it also served its main purpose, which was to protect pilgrims traveling between Jerusalem and St. Catherine's Monastery.

However, in 1170 the castle was captured by Salah ad-Din. There is confusion as to what happened thereafter; some say he abandoned the fortress only a short time later, in about 1183, while other scholars indicate that he expanded the fortress considerably, and possibly retained it until the 13th century. There is little doubt that he did, indeed, expand the fortress considerably, and that later the Ottomans and the Mamelukes further enlarged and enhanced it.

Now completely renovated, the fortress has many smaller rooms — some with arched doorways and others without. These include what were the sleeping quarters for the troops, bathhouses, and kitchens complete with huge ovens. There are towers in which carrier pigeons were housed, and circular towers for archers.

Interestingly, it is a fact that Lawrence of Arabia made an unauthorized and downright daring visit to the island during while on his famous Wilderness of Zin survey in June, 1914. Unfortunately we know little else of the history of this fascinating place, Taba Egypt.

Though, obviously, we do know that at least one important battle did take place there; that was when Salah ad-Din took the fortress from the Crusaders. Beyond that, however, what we know is really very little. There seem to have been no other major battles for the fort.

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