Taba history

Foundation and First Mentions

Unlike the ancient metropolises of the Nile Valley, Taba was not originally formed as a major city, but as a strategically important point on the map. The history of this place is inextricably linked to its border location. The first significant mentions of the region date back to the medieval period and are associated with an island located within direct sight of the shore.

The historical "heart" of the area can be considered the fortress on Pharaoh's Island (Geziret Faroun). In the 12th century, Crusaders erected the citadel of Île de Gray here to control sea routes, which was later captured and fortified in 1170 by the legendary Sultan Salah al-Din. Taba itself remained a small settlement and an important landmark for travellers for a long time.

Key Development Factors

The development of Taba as a significant point on the map was predetermined by a combination of several factors:

• Geographical Location: The city is located at the very tip of the Gulf of Aqaba, acting as a natural "bridge" between Africa and Asia. This made it a key point for controlling movements between the continents.
• Pilgrimage Route: For centuries, the overland route for pilgrims from Egypt and North Africa to Mecca and Medina passed through this territory. Taba served as an important station (oasis) for caravans to rest.
• Water Availability: The presence of fresh water sources and palm groves in an arid region made this place an indispensable stopover for travellers.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Before transforming into a modern resort, Taba's cultural and economic landscape was modest and traditional:

• Bedouin Traditions: The region's population historically consisted of Sinai Bedouin tribes. Their culture of hospitality and knowledge of the desert played a key role in the survival of trade caravans.
• Transit Economy: The income of local residents was generated by servicing passing caravans—providing water, provisions, and guide services.
• Fishing: Thanks to the rich marine fauna of the Red Sea, fishing was the main source of sustenance for the settled inhabitants of the coast.

Chronology of Events

• 1116 — Crusaders erect fortifications on Gray Island (now Pharaoh's Island) to control trade routes and protect pilgrims.
• 1170 — Sultan Salah al-Din captures the island fortress and significantly rebuilds it, strengthening the region's defensive capabilities.
• 1906 — An agreement is signed officially establishing the eastern border of Egypt, passing through Taba.
• 1982 — A complex diplomatic process begins to determine the status of the Taba territory following changes on the political map of Sinai.
• 1988 — The International Court of Arbitration in Geneva delivers a final verdict confirming Egypt's rights to this territory.
• 19 March 1989 — A solemn flag-raising ceremony takes place, marking the return of the city to the country's full jurisdiction.
• 1990s — Active investment begins in tourism infrastructure and the construction of the first major hotels by global chains.
• 2000 — The local airport is modernised and begins accepting international civil flights, opening the resort to mass tourism.
• 2004 — Launch of the large-scale development of the integrated resort area Taba Heights, featuring a marina and golf courses.
• 2014 — Reconstruction of the Taba port is carried out, improving maritime connections with neighbouring countries.

Stages of Becoming a Modern Resort

The transformation of Taba from a small border post into an international tourism centre passed through several key stages, each of which radically changed the appearance and economy of the city:

• Final Return to Egyptian Jurisdiction (1989)
  This event became the foundation for economic development. Political stability and legal certainty opened the doors for major national and foreign investments in a region that was previously considered a risk zone.
• Repurposing of the Iconic Hotel (Early 1990s)
  The hotel complex, built during the period of Israeli presence, was handed over to Egypt and began operating under the Hilton brand (later Taba Hotel & Nelson Village). This preserved jobs and set a high standard of service for future facilities, defining the tourism vector of the city's development.
• Opening of Taba International Airport (2000)
  The launch of its own airport (formerly the El Nakb military base) provided the city with transport autonomy. This allowed for direct charter flights from Europe, bypassing the long transfer from Sharm El Sheikh, which sharply increased the flow of tourists.
• Construction of the Taba Heights Complex (from 2004)
  The largest urban planning project in the region's history. An autonomous resort town was erected on the desert coast with a unified architectural concept, golf courses, artificial lagoons, and a marina. This created thousands of jobs and shaped the modern look of Taba.
• Modernisation of the Seaport and Marina
  The reconstruction of port infrastructure turned Taba into an important transport hub. The launch of regular ferry services to Aqaba in Jordan stimulated the development of excursion tourism and trade between the countries.
• Integration into the South Sinai Road Network
  Large-scale construction and paving of highways connecting Taba with Nuweiba, Dahab, and the Ahmed Hamdi Tunnel solved the problem of isolation. This simplified the logistics of food and fresh water necessary for the life of the growing city.

Architectural Appearance and Development Stages

Taba is a unique example of a city where the architectural chronicle is discontinuous. There is no classical layering of city blocks characteristic of old metropolises here. Taba's urban fabric was formed in two polar periods: the era of medieval wars and the era of modern tourism. The geography of the area (a narrow strip between the mountains and the sea) dictated a linear development structure.

Historical Epochs and Styles

The architecture of the region is clearly divided into utilitarian-defensive (ancient) and recreational (modern).

• Middle Ages (12th Century): Military Architecture and Fortification
  The era is represented by a monumental fortress. The style is characterised by stern functionality, designed to ensure defence and control over sea routes.
  Characteristic features: Massive walls of rough stone, crenellated parapets, square towers, narrow arrow slits, and the use of natural rock relief as part of the foundation.
• Late 20th Century: Functionalism and Brutalism
  The period of infrastructure establishment in the 1970s–80s left behind the buildings of the first hotels. These are strict, geometric constructions.
  Characteristic features: Use of concrete, simple rectangular forms, multi-storey structures, emphasis on durability and utility, minimum decoration.
• Early 21st Century: Neo-Vernacular Style and Contextualism
  Modern development, especially in resort zones, strives for harmony with nature. Architects moved away from high-rise "boxes" in favour of stylisation inspired by antiquity.
  Characteristic features: "Nubian style"—domes, vaults, arches, mashrabiyas (carved latticework). Use of desert colours (ochre, terracotta, sand) so that buildings visually dissolve into the background of the Sinai mountains.

Key Landmarks and Districts

The look of Taba is defined by several key objects that have become the city's calling cards:

• Citadel of Salah al-Din (Pharaoh's Island) — The undisputed historical dominant feature. The restored fortress on the island serves as a reminder of the region's strategic past and is the finest example of Islamic fortification in the area.
• Taba Heights District — An example of world-class complex resort urbanism. The design of this area (including the participation of the famous architect Michael Graves) utilises principles of postmodernism with a strong influence of Eastern aesthetics. It is a garden city with artificial lagoons, where architecture serves as an extension of the landscape.
• Taba Hotel & Nelson Village — A historically significant building combining features of modernism (the main building) and attempts to integrate into the environment (Nelson Village), built from local materials right on the shore.

Historical Figures and Contemporaries

The history of Taba is inextricably linked with the names of great commanders of the past and diplomats of the present, whose decisions determined the fate of this strategic region on the border of continents.

• Baldwin I of Jerusalem — King of Jerusalem (12th Century)
  Initiator of the construction of the first fortress in the region. In 1116, during an expedition to the Red Sea, he assessed the strategic importance of the island opposite modern Taba and ordered the construction of the citadel of Île de Gray there to control trade routes.
• Salah al-Din (Yusuf ibn Ayyub) — Sultan of Egypt and Syria (12th Century)
  The legendary commander who recaptured the island fortress from the Crusaders in 1170. By his order, the citadel was significantly fortified and expanded, becoming a key defensive point, which is known today as Pharaoh's Island—Taba's main attraction.
• Raynald of Châtillon — Lord of Oultrejordain (12th Century)
  A notorious historical figure whose activities were closely linked to the Gulf of Aqaba regions. He used local fortifications and sea routes to organise daring raids on trade caravans and pilgrims, making the environs of Taba an arena of fierce medieval conflicts.
• Nabil Elaraby — Egyptian Diplomat and Jurist (20th Century)
  Head of the Egyptian legal delegation at the negotiations in Geneva. It was his professionalism and argumentation that played a decisive role in the international arbitration of 1988, which delivered the verdict on Taba belonging to Egypt.
• Hosni Mubarak — President of Egypt (1981–2011)
  The political figure under whom the process of the return of Sinai was completed. On 19 March 1989, he personally raised the Egyptian flag over Taba, which became a symbol of the restoration of the country's full sovereignty over the peninsula.
• Michael Graves — American Architect (20th–21st Century)
  A famous representative of postmodernism, whose firm developed the master plan and architectural look of the Taba Heights resort. His vision defined the modern aesthetic appearance of the tourist zone, harmoniously inscribed into the desert landscape.