Hurghada history

Foundation and First Mentions

Unlike many ancient Egyptian cities boasting thousands of years of history, Hurghada is a comparatively young city. The official date of its foundation is considered to be 1905. Initially, it was a tiny, unremarkable settlement on the shores of the Red Sea, consisting of just a few huts.

The city owes its name to the "Ghardaq" plant (Nitraria), a shrub that grew in abundance in this area in the early 20th century. For a long time, this place served merely as a temporary shelter for fishermen and did not appear on major world maps.

Key Development Factors

The transformation of Hurghada from a village into a major regional center was driven by a combination of natural resources and geography:

• The Oil Industry: A decisive factor in early development was the discovery of oil fields in the region in 1913. This attracted foreign specialists and a workforce, necessitating the creation of basic infrastructure.
• Geography and the Sea: Convenient access to the sea and a rich underwater world initially fostered the fishing industry, while the unique climate later became the foundation for the tourism industry.
• Administrative Status: Over time, the settlement acquired strategic importance, becoming the administrative center of the Red Sea Governorate.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Before the tourism boom began in the 1980s, Hurghada's economy was based exclusively on fishing and oil extraction. Life here was harsh and isolated from the major centers in the Nile Valley.

The early cultural landscape was formed at the intersection of the traditions of local fishermen and the nomadic Bedouin tribes inhabiting the adjacent Arabian Desert. In those years, there were no luxury hotels, and the rhythm of life was defined by the sea and shifts on oil rigs, preserving the authentic atmosphere of a quiet coastal province.

City Development Chronology

• 1905: Official founding of Hurghada as an administrative point, initially serving as a base for British geologists and oil workers.
• 1913: Start of commercial oil extraction in the region, turning the small fishing village into an important industrial hub.
• 1980s: Launch of a large-scale government program to transform the Red Sea coast into an international tourism and diving zone.
• 2008: Grand opening of "Hurghada Marina" — a modern waterfront and yacht harbour that became the center of the resort's social life.
• 2015: Commissioning of the new international airport terminal, allowing for a significant increase in passenger flow.
• 2017: Completion of the Al Mina Mosque, which became the main architectural landmark and symbol of the city.
• 2020: Opening of the Hurghada Museum, where authentic ancient Egyptian artifacts were presented in the resort zone for the first time.

Stages of a Great Journey: From Village to Metropolis

The development of Hurghada is a story of rapid urbanization and shifting economic priorities. Over the last century, the city has traversed a path that takes others centuries. Here are the key milestones that defined the modern look of the resort:

• Oil Industrialization (Early 20th Century): The discovery of "black gold" was the first impetus for development. This event led to the appearance of the first serious infrastructure, roads, and communications, turning temporary fishing camps into a permanent settlement with jobs.
• Shift to Tourism (1980s): The provincial governor's decision to reorient the region's economy towards recreation was fateful. The construction of the first international chain hotel (Sheraton) marked the beginning of the era of mass tourism and attracted the attention of foreign investors to the Red Sea coast.
• Transport Revolution: The expansion and modernization of the airport allowed for direct charter flights from Europe and CIS countries. This transformed Hurghada from an exotic spot for enthusiast divers into an accessible resort for family holidays, sharply increasing guest numbers and city revenue.
• Urban Zoning: The clear division of the city into districts — the old Dahar (administrative and residential center) and the tourist Sakkala — allowed for the preservation of local life's flavour while simultaneously creating a comfortable zone for tourist entertainment and shopping.
• Creation of the El Mamsha Promenade: The development of a five-kilometre pedestrian zone was an important stage in urban improvement. This gave the city a modern public space, uniting dozens of hotels and creating a center for evening entertainment away from the old quarters.
• Launch of the "Hurghada Marina" Project (2008): The opening of a modern yacht waterfront radically changed the resort's image. The city gained an elite district with European-level service, restaurants, and architecture, attracting a more affluent audience.
• Cultural Integration (2020): The opening of the Hurghada Museum was an important step in diversifying leisure activities. The city ceased to be associated only with beach holidays, offering tourists access to authentic artifacts of the ancient Egyptian civilization directly within the resort zone.

Urban Structure and Development

Unlike ancient Egyptian cities with thousands of years of history, Hurghada does not have layers of ancient or medieval eras. It is a linear city, stretching along the Red Sea coast for more than 30 kilometres. Urban development proceeded not from the center to the outskirts, but along the coastline, following tourist demand.

The city is clearly zoned into three main parts, each reflecting a specific stage of development:

• El Dahar (Downtown): The historic core and administrative center. Here, chaotic planning, narrow streets, and dense buildings typical of the Egyptian provinces have been preserved.
• Sakkala: A district formed during the first tourism boom. This is a zone of mixed architecture, where residential blocks neighbor shopping centers and mid-range hotels.
• New Hurghada and the Promenade: A modern resort zone consisting of wide avenues (such as El Mamsha) and the enclosed territories of hotel complexes.

Architectural Styles and Eras

Hurghada's architectural appearance is eclectic and dictated by the functional purpose of the buildings. You will not find Gothic or Baroque styles here, but specific trends characteristic of the region can be identified:

• Vernacular Architecture (Mid-20th Century — Present): Characteristic of the residential quarters of Dahar. These are simple, functional buildings made of concrete and brick, often unfinished (with rebar on the roofs for future floors). The style lacks decoration, with priority given to protection from the sun and natural ventilation.
• Resort Postmodernism and Orientalism (Since the 1980s): The dominant style in hotel development. Architects often use stylization resembling ancient Egyptian temples, Nubian villages, or palaces from "One Thousand and One Nights". This is theatrical architecture, designed to create a sense of exoticism for tourists.
• Neo-Islamic Style (21st Century): A modern interpretation of traditional Arab canons. Used in the construction of religious buildings, combining reinforced concrete structures with rich carved decor, arches, and domes.
• Mediterranean Style (2000s): Vividly represented in the Hurghada Marina area. It is characterized by the use of pastel tones (ochre, terracotta), arched windows, tiled elements, and open terraces, creating the atmosphere of a European coastal town.

Iconic Buildings and Landmarks

The city's appearance is shaped by several key landmarks that have become symbols of modern Hurghada:

• Al Mina Mosque: The most striking example of modern Islamic architecture in the city. The building stands out with two high minarets and numerous domes. The facade is richly decorated with carvings featuring traditional arabesques, referencing the Mamluk era but executed using modern technologies.
• St. Shenouda Coptic Church: A monumental structure representing modern Coptic architecture. The building is distinguished by its massiveness, light-coloured walls, and characteristic crosses, combining elements of Christian architecture with local building traditions.
• Hurghada Marina Waterfront: An example of comprehensive modern urbanism. This is a closed pedestrian zone, designed as a unified architectural ensemble, contrasting with the chaotic development of neighboring Sakkala.

Prominent Personalities and Regional Figures

Since Hurghada is a comparatively young city, the list of celebrities associated with it consists mainly of people who influenced its development, Red Sea researchers, and historical figures whose lives unfolded in the surrounding deserts and mountains.

• Hamed Gohar (1907–1992)
  Oceanographer, Biologist, TV Presenter
  A legendary figure known as the "Father of the Red Sea". It was he who founded the Marine Biological Station (now the Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries) in Hurghada back in the 1930s. Gohar dedicated his life to studying the local fauna and was the first to reveal the richness of this region's underwater world to the globe. A museum bearing his name still operates at the institute.
• Youssef Afifi (1927–2014)
  Governor of the Red Sea Governorate
  A key figure in the history of modern Hurghada. As governor in the 1980s, he made the strategic decision to reorient the regional economy from oil extraction to tourism. Afifi attracted the first major investors and initiated the construction of infrastructure that turned a fishing village into a world-class resort.
• Samih Sawiris (born 1957)
  Entrepreneur, Developer, Philanthropist
  Although his main project — the resort town of El Gouna — is located 20 km from the center of Hurghada, Sawiris's influence on the development of the entire agglomeration is invaluable. He set new standards for architecture and service on the coast, created thousands of jobs, and founded one of the region's most important film festivals, attracting global stars to the province.
• King Farouk I (1920–1965)
  King of Egypt and Sudan
  Egypt's last monarch loved to rest on the Red Sea coast. The "Royal Rest House," built for him, still exists in Hurghada. The monarch's presence in the first half of the 20th century contributed to the place becoming known in high society circles even before the start of mass tourism.
• Anthony the Great (c. 251–356)
  Christian Saint, Hermit
  The founder of eremitic monasticism spent the last decades of his life in a cave in the Red Sea mountains, not far from modern Hurghada. The Monastery of Saint Anthony, active to this day, is one of the main historical attractions visited by tourists from the city.
• Paul of Thebes (c. 227–341)
  The First Christian Hermit Monk
  A contemporary of Anthony, who lived in solitude in the Eastern Desert for over 90 years. The Monastery of Saint Paul, located south of Hurghada, is closely linked to the history of the region and is part of the essential cultural program for guests of the resort.