Manfalut (Coptic: ⲙⲁⲛⲃⲁⲗⲟⲧ) is a city in Egypt. It stretches on the west bank of the Nile in the Asyut Governorate. The town is 350 km (230 miles) south of Cairo. In 2006, it had a population of 82,585 people. Local agriculture includes cotton production.
Location of Manfalut Town
Manfalut town is located in the north section of the Asyut Governorate in Upper Egypt. Meanwhile, it lies 350 km from Cairo.
History Manfalut Town
In 1993, the city also became a fanatic Islamic centre in Egypt. Manfalut remained on Egyptian news channels for a long time due to the devastating bus-train collision on 17 November 2012, which resulted in the toll of death of 51 children who lost their lives in this major tragedy.
Municipal Divisions
The city lies on the west bank of the Nile River and comprises seven smaller villages, including El Atamna, Beni Shukeir, and Bani Rafe.
Activities
Today, the city has developed as a major agricultural centre and is the source of significant pomegranate production. The locals are heavily involved in agriculture, especially cotton production.
Tourist Attractions In Manfalut
Manfalut attracts a large number of tourists coming to Egypt. The major attractions in this town include:
El Maabda
The village of El-Maabda is located on the east bank of the Nile just opposite Manfalut. Northeast of this village, there are also Old Kingdom tombs. Standing on the plateau of the Arabian Desert are the Crocodile Caves, which still display the few remains of unique and bizarre crocodile mummies.
Gebel Qurna is located south of El Maabda and has been there since the reign of Sethos II. To the east is a Coptic monastery of a Greek origin, and next is the Gebel-Marag, which has many rock tombs from the ancient Kingdom. These were once the possession of princes and dignitaries of the Snake mountain nome. The tombs are divided into two groups: the northern and older southern group. The tombs of Djaw and Ebe are among the most interesting ones. So are the Princes of the Snake Mountain and Abydos nomes which still have harvest scenes, reliefs of artisans and fishing and hunting scenes.
Masjid Al-Kashef
Located in the Manfalut City, this is a mosque founded by Prince Ali Al-Kashef Jamal Al-Deen as his masterpiece. The mosque or the masjid still bears his name and is located on Al Qessaria street.
Deir el-Gabrawi
Deir el-Gabrawi is another small town just opposite Manfalut city in Assyut in Upper Egypt. The necropolis here is famous and dates back to the sixth dynasty. The necropolis is made up of several tombs carved in the eastern mountain to act as the burial place of rulers, princes, and governors who were in power during the 12th Nome of Egypt. The tombs cut from the rock were surrounded by many paintings and reliefs. The most significant tombs in this area are the Ibi and Gawa tombs, where one can witness the many vivid depictions of daily life sketched as religious scenes. The walls of these tombs were stolen in 1990, but after this, these were replaced and recuperated to the original site.
Kom Lara
This is a district capital located between the Nile and the Ibrahimiya Canal. The place is said to have traces from the prehistoric settlement era and a necropolis belonging to the Early Historical period alongside a Coptic Monastery. It is a market town for nearby areas and is also touted as a Coptic Bishop’s seat.
The city of Manfalut has a lot to offer history lovers and adventurous travellers who want to glimpse the heart of ancient Egypt.
Notable people
Egyptian writer and poet Mustafa Lutfi al-Manfaluti was born in Manfalut.
