Al Khārijah – Museum, Temples and Desert Landscape

Al Khārijah brings together a museum with a collection from the New Valley region, temples from different historical periods, and the landscape of Egypt’s Western Desert. This gives you several cultural perspectives to consider when planning your trip: a museum offering a broad chronological perspective, temples with distinct building histories, and a Coptic cemetery.

Museum and Historical Periods

The New Valley Museum in Al Khārijah houses 4,087 artifacts. The collection spans from prehistoric times to the era of the Muhammad Ali dynasty; the number may change as additions are made in the future. The artifacts come from the New Valley region. The museum also presents the history of ancient Egyptian civilization from the Predynastic Period through to modern times.

Objects from the region are thus presented alongside a wide-ranging historical account. Those interested in different periods will find a different perspective here than at the individual temples: the museum places artifacts within a broader timeframe, while each structure has specific architectural and historical features. The museum is one of Al Khārijah’s attractions. Check current opening hours before visiting.

Temples and Their Building Histories

The Temple of Hibis is considered one of Al Khārijah’s most important monuments. It was built mainly in ancient Egyptian times and was later used during the Ptolemaic, Roman, Coptic and Islamic periods. Its history therefore cannot be reduced to a single era: its documented phases of use span several successive historical contexts.

The layout and dating of the Temple of Al-Ghuwaita offer another specific point of comparison. Three halls lead to a sanctuary dated to the 27th Dynasty. The rest of the temple dates from the Ptolemaic period. Thus, different historical contexts meet within the same complex.

The Temple of Qasr Al-Zayan was built in 138 AD, during the third year of the reign of the Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius. It was dedicated to the god Amon Hebat. In contrast to Hibis and Al-Ghuwaita, the focus here is on a Roman building history with a precise date. The differences between the complexes therefore lie both in their historical periods and in the details documented for each: use across several eras at Hibis, halls and a sanctuary at Al-Ghuwaita, and the year of construction and dedication at Qasr Al-Zayan.

Cemetery, Architecture and Landscape

Bagawat is a Coptic cemetery with a church and 263 tombs. The Temple of Dosh features a different architectural combination: the sandstone structure is surrounded by a mud-brick wall and a four-storey fortress. Together, the cemetery, church, temple and fortress represent different forms of cultural heritage in Al Khārijah, rather than just one type of attraction.

The landscape also shapes the city’s character. Al Khārijah lies in Egypt’s Western Desert and is considered an ecotourism destination. Impressive natural sand dunes, as well as opportunities for rest and relaxation, are among the features associated with the city. When choosing a theme for your trip, cultural history and desert landscape can therefore sit side by side, without reducing the temples or museum to a single theme.

Regional Context

Within the broader destination of Al-Wadi Al-Dschadid, Al-Kharga Oasis lies on the desert road between Cairo and Luxor. It is the southernmost and largest of the four oases along this route.

Discover more destinations: Wahat Al Farafirah, Dakhla Oasis, Abu Simbel, Abydos, Al Qaşr.

Return to the main travel overview: Al-Wadi Al-Dschadid.