Girga, Egypt

Welcome to Girga, a city located in the Sohag Governorate of Upper Egypt. This charming city is situated on the west bank of the Nile River and is the metropolitan see of the Coptic Orthodox Church. The name of the city comes from Ancient Egyptian: (tꜣ)-grg.t, lit. the settlement, which is also preserved in possibly corrupted Coptic: ⲑⲁⲣϫⲉ, romanized: tarje and its alternative name Digirga. Some Egyptologists such as Brugsch believe that the name of the city derives from the ancient Egyptian word grg miri-amoun Ramessou which means The establishment of Ramesses II, although Daressy and Budge identify the name with Coptic Balyana near Abydos. Through folk etymology the city became associated with St. George and a now non-existent monastery dedicated to him nearby, hence Leo Africanus calls it Giorgia and Pest suggests an older vocalisation Gurga.

Girga was the capital of the Girga Governorate until 1960, when the capital was moved to Sohag and the name of the governorate changed accordingly. Girga has an estimated population of 71,564 (as of 1986) and has various economic industries which include cane sugar manufacturing and pottery.

The city was home and headquarters of the first Pharaoh of a unified Egypt, Narmer. As of today, it is unconfirmed to whether this is the site of the ancient city of This (Thinis) or the nearby village of Birba which was the capital of Egypt during the 1st and 2nd dynasties. Also neighbouring Girga is the ancient sites including Beit Khallaf, a necropolis where tourists can find mudbrick tombs dating back to the 3rd dynasty. Girga was the capital of Upper Egypt during Ottoman rule. In 1791, Saint Yousab El Abah (also Joseph el-Abbah) was the bishop of the city. In 1907 Girga had a population of 19,893, of whom about one-third were Copts. As lately as the middle of the 18th century the town stood a quarter of a mile from the river, but in the beginning of the 20th century it stood on the bank, the intervening space having been washed away, together with a large part of the town, by the stream continually encroaching on its left bank.

Girga has a number of places of worship, including mosques such as the Chinese Mosque, Osman Bey Mosque, Al-Fuqara Mosque, Jalal Bey Mosque, and Al-Mitwalli Mosque. There are also several churches and monasteries, such as the Monastery of Archangel Michael, situated on the right bank of the Nile opposite of Girga, the Church of Archangel Michael, the Church of Saint George, and the Church of Theodore Tiron.

Girga has a hot desert climate (BWh) according to the Köppen-Geiger climate classification system. If you’re planning a trip to Egypt, don’t miss out on the hidden gem that is Girga. With its rich history, stunning landscapes, and unique culture, it’s a destination that’s sure to leave a lasting impression.