After being shut down for almost seven years, the Rommel Cave Museum of Egypt would see the light of the day. The Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities reopened the museum at seaside Matrouh province after a long closure for restoration.
The event was attended by Antiquities Minister Khaled al-Anany, reports Xinhua news agency. Rommel Cave is a natural cave cut in a rocky cliff since the Roman times with an entrance and exit on the Mediterranean. German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel used it in World War II as a command base. Anany said in a speech that the reopening highlights the ministry's aim to promote tourism through creating new attractions as well as increasing awareness among Egyptians in general.
"The Rommel Cave Museum is putting on showing a collection of weapons, shells and military equipment used during World War II, as well as military attire and maps," said the press statement.
As one of the most ancient civilizations, Egypt has been hard at work to preserve its archaeological heritages.In an attempt to revive the country's ailing tourism, which has suffered from an acute recession in the past few years due to political turmoil and security issues, Egypt is keen to uncover the Pharaohs' archaeological secrets as well as other ancient civilizations throughout the history of this country.
The cave which has existed since Roman era has an exit and entry both on the Mediterranean. German leader, Erwin Rommel, used this natural cave as his headquarters during World War II. However, in 1997, the idea of turning the cave into a museum and tourist destination struck but it couldn't happen before 1988 when it was opened to the public. The museum has a collection of Rommel’s personal possessions at the display.
(With IANS inputs)
