Discover Bahig: Kôm Bahig in the surrounding area

Bahig is the modern village; the archaeological site of Kôm Bahig lies northwest of it in the surrounding area. When planning your trip, it is useful to consider these two points of reference separately: Bahig is the destination for finding accommodation, while Kôm Bahig is an archaeological focus nearby. This lets you treat Bahig as your search destination and the history of the site as a separate point of interest.

Landscape and location of Kôm Bahig

The archaeological site covers just under 17 hectares. Two elongated, artificially raised mounds run from north to south, separated by a central valley. Agricultural land borders the site to the north, a swamp lies to the west, and a village and scattered small kôms lie to the south. The site is south of the Pleistocene ridge of Gebel Mariout III and about one kilometre from the southern shore of Lake Mariout. As a regional point of reference, Kôm Bahig is about 50 kilometres west of Alexandria. The distance of about one kilometre to the lakeshore and around 50 kilometres to Alexandria represent different scales: one describes the landscape around the site, the other its broader geographical setting.

Archaeological traces from the Ptolemaic period

The archaeological finds date to the Ptolemaic period. A large limestone building from this era stands at the site; remains of several buildings with thick mud-brick walls have also been uncovered. The finds are probably the remains of an ancient sanctuary that continued to exist until the end of the Ptolemaic period. An avenue at Kôm Bahig probably served as an access route to the Temple of Bahig; a wall may have formed the enclosure wall of the temenos.

Historical points of reference in the wider area

Abu Mena is a separate point of reference in the wider region. It lies in the Mariut Desert, in the Burg al-Arab district of Alexandria Governorate. From the 5th to the 7th century, it developed into an early Christian pilgrimage centre. Over time, a baptistery, several churches, baths, houses, wine presses, workshops and pilgrim lodgings were built around the tomb. A large square, lined with colonnades of marble columns, was also added. In contrast to the Ptolemaic finds at Kôm Bahig, Abu Mena is chiefly associated with the history of a later pilgrimage centre.

For a further perspective on the broader destination of Matruh, the exhibitions at the Marsa Matrouh Museum offer a distinct cultural connection: they cover fishing, trade, astronomy, science and philosophy. In Siwa, the village of Shali was built from salt-impregnated mud using a unique construction method; it dates from the sixth century AH, or the twelfth century CE. These examples belong to the broader destination of Matruh and offer their own cultural highlights.

When looking for a hotel in Bahig, understanding the geographical setting is a useful first step. Kôm Bahig lies nearby, while Abu Mena and the cultural sites mentioned in Matruh provide a broader context.

Discover more destinations: Burj Al Arab, ADH Dheraa Al Bahri.

For the broader travel overview: Qesm Borg Al Arab.