Therapeutic tours in Egypt/ Ayoun Mossa/Hammam Pharaon/ Moses bath/Pharaoh bath

Egypt possesses a wide range of rich physical features. According to scientific research, clay found in some springs has therapeutic properties that can cure numerous bone, skin, kidney and gastrointestinal diseases and respiratory problems. The Red Sea water with its chemical composition and abundance of coral reefs help cure from psoriasis.
Here are some therapeutic sites in Sinai, where you can go for a day or so

Oyoun Mossa and Hammam Pharaon

Approx. 45 km south of Ras Sedr , there is the Pharaoh's Bath called Hammam Pharaon. Together with Oyoun Mossa (Moses springs) it is some of the most important sites for therapeutic tourism in the Sinai as it has the highest rate of sulfuric water known to the world. In addition, it enjoys dry weather and warm sands. Few people today realize the significance of Egypt 's therapeutic past. During the 19th and 20th centuries, Egypt was almost as important to European travelers as a health destination as it was for classical antiquity tours. 
Egypt 's hot, dry climate and numerous natural hot springs are waiting to be discovered.

Hammam Pharaon (Pharaoh's Bath ) is located 250kms from Cairo . It consists of a group of natural hot sulfuric springs whose temperature is 27 degrees. The water flows directly from the mountain into a 100- meter-long natural lake right beside the sea shore. A small cave has been carved out of the mountainside above for use as a natural sauna. It has been scientifically proven that the water from this spring can help alleviate a number of diseases, including rheumatism, rheumatoid pains, kidney diseases, lung inflammation and several skin diseases.
For centuries locals and travelers have been enjoying the spa waters of the natural hot springs . The water, smelling slightly unpleasantly of sulphur, bubbles from the rock inside a cave and flows down into the sea. In the cave, where the darkness is heavy with steam, guests can enjoy a soak in the rock bath, or else wait for their turn for a therapeutic treatment for rheumatism, skin diseases or other ailments. Scientific researches proved the importance of the water in treating some diseases such as rheumatism and rheumatoid, kidney diseases, lung inflammation, skin diseases.

An Egyptian archaeological mission while carrying out a routine cleaning operation in the area near the spring stumbled upon what is believed to be a fourth-century rock-hewn grotto decorated with Christian murals. It appears to be the second cave of its type to be discovered in Hammamat Pharaon and was only 25 meters away from the first one, which was used one to two hundred years later. The entrance to the new cave was blocked by a large amount of sand, stones and rubble. When all the dust and debris were removed a one meter high vaulted entrance was unearthed.
the cave excavated consisted of a large hall on two levels, the first level bearing some clay fragments and traces of a fireplace that burnt wood, and the second traces of ashes. On cleaning the fireplace the archaeologists uncovered a limestone floor and the remains of a large clay vessel. The internal walls of the cave are covered with a layer of plaster decorated with red-painted Greek characters similar to those found in the first cave. A number of Byzantine-shaped crosses were also painted on the walls.

The cave found earlier had three adjoining vaulted halls; the first and third halls were plain and empty, but in the central one was a scene depicted in red paint of three notable Christian figures praying; from right to left these were St Mina, the Roman soldier who sacrificed his life to spread Christianity all over the globe, Iowans, the Alexandrian patriarch of the sixth century, and Asnasious, patriarch of the Constantine Church. These portraits were enclosed within Greek prayer texts along with crosses painted in the style of the sixth and seventh centuries, and were similar to those found on the walls of St Catherine's Monastery in Sinai. A three-legged chandelier was painted in black, along with remains of other drawings painted in yellow and red. On the left side of the scene were three niches decorated with old Creek texts painted in brown and black.

Moses Bath or rather Hammam Moussa as it is better known in Arabic, is located in South Sinai 's official capital, Al-Tor. It is a wonderful oasis covered in palm trees around a natural hot spring, the water of which is capable of healing wounds especially of diabetic patients, treats the body weakness and regulates the high blood pressure. Moses Bath is 100 kilometers away from Sharm EI Sheikh.

Legend says that Moses passed here one day. Wanting to quench his thirst he asked the old lady by the spring if he can have some water to drink; surprisingly she refused. Moses prayed to God to bless the water with therapeutic properties, but never to be potable. Whether the legend is true or a mythical fabric of someone's imagination, the spring's water is indeed saline and enjoys a good deal of mineral concentration.

Now Moses's Bath became a wonderful oasis surrounded by lush vegetation with a natural hot spring at its centre. The water here has the ability to heal skin diseases and wounds, especially those of diabetics. It can also be of more general use to relieve stress and help people to relax.

Moses Bay or Oyoun Mossa area comprises twelve springs, situated in the extreme north of the eastern side of the Suez Gulf . Here, visitors are often overwhelmed by a sense of spiritual comfort. It is one of the places where Moses is believed to have passed during the Exodus. It is the very spot where, the legend goes, 12 water springs burst forth on his visit. The springs have been neglected for a long time and have dried up.

Sours "Al-Ahram"