ADVERTISEMENT
Shali Fortress, Siwa Oasis
Situated in the Siwa Oasis in northwest Egypt, the Shali fortress is a towering mud-brick structure dating back to the 13th century. Once five stories high, it offered refuge to an entire community, until a prolonged bout of rain in the 1920s devastated the structure and forced many residents to move elsewhere.
Portions of the 13th-century structure still stand today, including the old mosque. But be warned: this really is a hidden gem. Those planning a trip to Siwa should know that the fortress is located deep within Egypt’s Western Desert, some 560km from Cairo and near the Libyan border.
