This beach dates back to the days of Alexander, the Macedonian, when it was known as "Paraetonium" and also as "Amunia". The beach is famous for its white soft sands and calm transparent waters, for the bay is protected from the high seas by a series of rocks forming a natural wave-breaker, with a small opening to allow light vessels in. Inside the city are quite a few historically interesting places to be visited, like Rommel's Hideout, a cave, where Rommel drew up plans of his military operations, now turned into military museum, the German Cemetery, which is a fortress like memorial that was built on a high overlooking the sea and the Italian Cemetery, which is a high tower fort standing on a high hill. The second big town of the province is Siwa, until very recently the most inaccessible of all Egypt's oasis, and also one of the most fascinating, lying some 60 feed below sea level. On the edge of the Great Sand Sea, its rich history includes a visit from Alexander the Great to consult the Oracle of Amun in 331 BC. Today Siwa, highly popular with tourist, still holds on to its historical customs.