Baris Travel Guide

About Baris Oasis

Baris, 90km south of Al-Kharga, was once one of the most important trading centers along the Darb al-Arba’een, but there is little left to remind you of that.

Other than a few kiosks selling fuul (fava beans) and ta’amiyya (felafel), there is little of note apart from the mudbrick houses of Baris al-Gedida, about 2km north of the original town.

Hassan Fathy, Egypt’s most influential modern architect, designed the houses using traditional methods and materials and intended Baris al-Gedida to be a model for other new settlements.

Work stopped at the outbreak of the Six Day War of 1967 and only two houses and some public spaces have ever been completed.