Albabenshal Heritage Lodge
Albabenshal Heritage Lodge sits amidst the spectacular jagged ruins of Old Shali, a 13th century citadel in the centre of downtown Siwa. The construction of the village ecolodge began with ancient, dilapidated Siwan homes that were renovated using traditional kershef, a mixture of sun-dried salt, mud and sand. Modeled after the design of the original structures that filled the fortress, the ecolodge maintains the cultural aesthetic of the past while also providing contemporary amenities.
Albabenshal currently offers 11 guest rooms on three levels, connected through a network of alleyways and terraces that look over central Shali and the palm groves beyond. Inside, guest rooms are furnished and decorated in authentic Siwan style, with colorful Bedouin carpets, palm frond chairs, tables and beds, and linens of fine Egyptian cotton embroidered by women of the oasis. On the main terrace, the Albabenshal Restaurant serves a diverse offering of Siwan dishes.
Albabenshal provides guests with a unique glimpse into ancient Siwa, when the walls of this fortress once held back attacking tribes and armies. More than resurrecting history, its construction has helped revive the dying craft of kershef, and its continued success generates a range of needed employment opportunities for the local community.