Matrouh: Gateway to Coastal Beauty on the Shores of the Mediterranean
Marsa Matrouh is the capital of Matrouh Governorate and one of Egypt's maritime ports. It is located 240 kilometers (150 miles) west of Alexandria and 222 kilometers (138 miles) east of Sallum, along the main highway from the Nile Delta to the Libyan border. The city is also accessible from the south via another highway that passes through the Western Desert towards Siwa Oasis and the oases of the Mediterranean.
The city is home to an airport named Marsa Matrouh. It is known for its tranquil white sandy beaches and clear calm waters. Its bay is protected from the open sea by a series of rocks that form a natural wave barrier with a small opening to allow entry for light vessels.
Name and History:
In ancient Egypt and during the time of Alexander the Great, the city was known as Amounia. In the Ptolemaic Kingdom and later during the Byzantine Empire, it was referred to as Paraitónion in Greek: Παραιτόνιον.
Marsa Matrouh began as a small fishing village during the ancient Egyptian eras and the time of Alexander the Great. It contains the remains of a temple from the reign of Ramesses II (1200 BCE). After Egypt came under Roman rule, Marsa Matrouh became an important port for trade and shipping goods and crops to Rome. After the Arab conquest, the city's name changed to Bartoun, and it had other names in the early 20th century. It was administratively adopted with its current name, Marsa Matrouh, signifying its role as the port of Matrouh Governorate. During World War II, Marsa Matrouh served as a single-track railway station that passed through El Alamein. It also served as a vital British military base during the war and was a primary target for Erwin Rommel's Afrika Korps, which captured it during the Battle of Marsa Matrouh.
Climate:
Marsa Matrouh enjoys a hot desert climate according to the Köppen climate classification. However, winds blowing from the Mediterranean Sea significantly moderate the temperature, making its summer hot and somewhat humid, while its winter is mild and humid.
The summer in the city is sunny and dry, while in the colder months, rainfall occurs, and the city is surrounded by clouds. Frost and cold are common on some winter days.
Notable Tourist Attractions in Marsa Matrouh: