Egypt has inaugurated the first points of the Holy Family trail, after the completion of EGP 7.5m development works in Samannoud city, Gharbeya governorate.
Present at the inauguration were: Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Khaled Al-Anani; Minister of Local Development Mahmoud Shaarawy; Governor of Gharbeya Tarek Rahmi; and Bishop of Al-Mahalla Al-Kubra and its affiliates Anba Karas.
The high-level delegation also visited the Church of Our Lady and the Martyr Abanoub in Samannoud, which is one of the sites located on the trail of the Holy Family. The church was inaugurated in 2016, after the completion of a comprehensive and integrated restoration project.
The event marks the occasion of the upcoming Christmas celebration, and comes as part of the continuous follow-up made by the Ministries of Tourism and Antiquities, and Local Development, of the “Reviving the trail of the Holy Family” project.
The Ministry of Local Development announced earlier that this project will be completed by June 2020.
It said that eight governorates witnessed the Holy Family’s journey, namely Cairo, Beheira, Sharqeya, Gharbeya, Kafr El-Sheikh, Minya, Assiut, and North Sinai.
The visit began by inspecting the development works in Samannoud, and listening to a detailed explanation of all the works that had been carried out. This included the work undertaken to complete the development of the area surrounding the monument.
The development work included mechanical cleaning of the church’s facade and entrances, in addition to the domes and bell tower to remove traces of dust and rain. This part of the project took place under the supervision of the Western Restoration Department and the Western Antiquities District.
Unlicensed vendors in front of the church on Saad Zaghloul street were also removed, and the floors were paved using interlock tiles, with all storefronts located on both sides of the street also painted in a unified colour.
Shop fascias in the area were also made in a unified design and colour, commensurate with the architectural style of the church. A new fountain was constructed in Badrawi Square.
A car park was constructed at one end of the square, along with work of indicative panels on both sides of the street that reflect Samanoud.
During the tour, Al-Anani expressed his happiness at the project’s completion, and the efforts to develop this point on the Holy Family Pathway, describing it as a boom. He also thanked his fellow delegates, and all those who took part in this huge effort.
The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities is working in cooperation with the Ministry of Local Development, the Civilization Coordination Agency, the Supreme Council of Antiquities, and the Tourism Development Authority (TDA), to rehabilitate all points along the Holy Family trail.
This includes: creating infrastructure; establishing new roads to ease entry of tourist cars and buses; and providing all services and guide panels.
