In Tell Basta you see the ruins of Bubastis, the capital of Egypt in the 22nd dynasty (945-720 B.C.). You see the remains of a temple and re-used blocks from other pharaonic cities that is so typical of pharaonic cities in the Delta.

The Old Testament prophet Ezekiel prophesied around 500 B.C., that the once proud pharaonic city Bubastis [the name comes from Pi-Beseth, meaning the domain of the cat goddess] would fall into ruins [Ezekiel 30:17,18]. Coptic tradition says that the temple collapsed when the Holy Family entered, in fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah’s “Behold, the LORD rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence” [Isaiah 19:1].

We will also see in Tell Basta a 1st century well that some believe to be created by Jesus Christ. Some pilgrims started drinking polluted water resulting in the Egyptian Organization for Antiquities placing a fence around the well.

Photo: Norbert Schiller, a 1st century well that according to Dr. Mahmoud Omar, was created by the Holy Family. This is, however, disputed by the Egyptian Antiquities Organization.

Photo: Paul Perry, a 1st century well that according to Dr. Mahmoud Omar, was created by the Holy Family. This is, however, disputed by the Egyptian Antiquities Organization. This photo was taken in December 2002 after making a fence around the well in order to prevent pilgrims from drinking polluted water.

Photo: Norbert Schiller, Stones from a Pharaonic temple at Tell Basta.

Photo: Norbert Schiller, stones with pharaonic inscription.

Photo: Norbert Schiller, pharaonic temple stones scattered around.