Farafra Oasis hot springs and drilled wells

There are more than 100 springs and wells in Farafra oasis. Some of them have become famous tourist attractions because of their warm water temperature and the slight percentage of sulphurous in the water. Among the most famous ones there are:

• Ain Besay: the area consists of the spring itself, which lies in the south-eastern part, and remains from the Roman and Coptic periods (an ancient cemetery, two budbrick buildings, a few rock tombs and a small chapel). It is said that one day a spring in this area exploded and smoke started to go out from the hole; the people of Farafra then threw an entire family and all their belongings into the spring to appease the spirits of the area (Vivian 1990);
• Ain Dallah(or Spring of the Shade): it is located in a strategic position between the Libyan border and caravan routes leading to Farafra, Siwa and Bahariya; its strategic position made it a vital desert outpost for travellers throughout the history, and it also played a significant role in helping Lybian citizens during the Italian colonization of the country. The site is also thought to have been the last point for the army of Cambyses before they vanished into the desert. Sweet and clean water flows from the spring at three to four gallons a minute. Today a military camp inhabits Ain Dallah, therefore a special security permission from Cairo is needed to visit the site (CISS Inventory 2010; Vivian 1990);
• the old Roman Spring, located in the garden of Ain Sheikh Mazouk;
• Ain el Wadi: it is recognized by a single palm tree sitting atop a knoll. At the source of the spring there is a bucket that can be used to draw the water. In the past it was an important vital stop in the journey from Farafra to Cairo; today there are still the foundation of an old building (Vivian 1990);
• Ain Serw (Magic Spring): it is famous because the water starts to flow and running once any visitor comes closer to it;
• Ain Gallaw: there are a few rock tombs, an ancient aqueduct and some Coptic inscriptions;
• Ain Khadra(Green Spring): in the past it was an important stop in the journey from Farafra to Assyut;
• Bir Sitta (Well 6): it is a steaming hot well of 38°;
• Bir Sab’a (Well 7): it is another steaming hot well of 38°;
• Bir Regwaor Bir Akhbar (the Great Well) (our-egypt 2012).