Tjaru, Military fortress in Sinai Peninsula, Egypt
Tjaru is a fortified military stronghold on the Sinai Peninsula built with heavy mud brick walls and multiple watchtowers positioned along its parapets. The site displays clear defensive features with structured walls and a planned defensive design.
The fortress was built as Egypt's main defense point along the Horus Road during the New Kingdom and played a key role in protecting trade routes. It marked the boundary between the pharaonic realm and foreign lands to the east.
The site held a temple dedicated to a lion form of the god Horus that was worshipped within its walls. This religious presence shows how faith and defense were intertwined in this remote outpost.
The site is located in a dry region and is best visited during cooler months when temperatures are more pleasant. Visitors should be prepared for uneven ground, excavated structures, and minimal shade.
The fortress served as a banishment site where Egyptian authorities sent criminals for punishment. This reveals a darker side to daily life in this isolated military station.
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