Our Destinations
Philae Temple
The Philae Temple complex, outstandingly magnificent!
No visit to Aswan would be complete without a tour of the Philae Temple Complex.
Philae Temple, and its surrounding structures, were originally located on the Island of Philae. Dedicated to the Goddess Isis, it is estimated that it took around 800 years to construct.
Sadly, due to the building of the first Aswan Dam (Lower Dam) in 1906, the whole complex was completely submerged for all but four months of the year (July to October) until it was moved in it’s entirety some 70 years later.
Thanks to the UNESCO project, the complex was moved piece by piece and now stands in beautiful splendour for you to enjoy, and we can take you there!
In order to move the temple and its surrounding structures a coffer dam was built and the water pumped out. It was then dismantled piece by piece, and moved by barge, before being rebuilt at its current location.
Now located approximately 550 meters from it’s original resting place, it now stands on the Island of Agilika. This Island was transformed to look as close as possible to the original Island of Philae. It took ten years to complete this mammoth task.
Ask your Egyptologist to show you the posts still standing in the Nile signifying the complex’s original watery location.
The surroundings and natural beauty will leave you in awe!
The main temple on the site is the Temple of Isis, other surrounding structures are the Temple of the Emperor Hadrian, The Temple of Hathor and the beautifully architectured Trajan’s Kiosk (pictured below)
Trajan’s Kiosk is named after the Emperor who re-built it. In Ancient Egyptian times a statue of the Goddess Isis would be transported down the Nile on a sacred barge, which would land here.
The Goddess Isis the mother of the God Horus (the Falcon God) was the beloved wife of the God Osiris. It is said that Osiris was killed by his brother, the evil God Seth, and that Seth had his body cut into pieces and placed in many different locations around Egypt.
The story tells that Isis, broken hearted, searched tirelessly until she found all the pieces. She then used her godly powers to put her beloved Osiris back together and bring him back to life. They then conceived Horus and Osiris became the God of the Underworld, and judge of the dead.
Horus is said to have avenged his father when he grew up by defeating Seth during battle. Philae then became the burial place of Osiris.
Isis was an extremely important figure in Ancient Egypt. Said to be the giver of life, a healer and protector of Kings, she is known as the mother of God. At one point there was even a temple dedicated to her in London, UK.
There are two main colonades (one of which is shown above) leading up to her outstanding temple.
The Temple of Isis is one of the most magnificent you will see in Egypt. It’s main construction dates back to the Ptolemaic times.
It has two huge pylons. The first (shown below) is 45 meters wide and 20 meters high, has two towers with a gate between them and an open courtyard leading to the second pylon further inside.
The second pylon leads to the magnificent Hypostyle Hall containing 10 columns and 3 vestibules leading to the Inner Sanctuary.
Within the Inner Sanctuary stands the pedestal that the sacred barque used during festivals of the Goddess Isis would have rested.
A trips to Philae Temple Complex is a must see for anyone visiting Aswan, and is included in your Aswan Tour.
Philae Temple is as magnificent in the night as it is in the Day. Why not book the Sound and Light show experience to see it lit up in magnificent splendour as you listen to it’s story unfold.
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