The old town of Shali

Shali, the ancient capital of the oasis was founded in the Middle Ages. Built with karshef, a mixture of salt and clay made with a technique that is unique in the world, this city of mud’ was abandoned in the 20th century after being ruined by torrential rainfall. Now the site is under restoration with the support of EQI  (Environmental Quality International of Cairo). Near Shali there is the Siwa House (Beit el Siwi in Arabic) or Ethnographic Museum situated in a typical Siwan house in front of a garden that was built in 1990 thanks to the help of the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives, with the technical aid of EQI, which totally respect the traditional techniques and style.