Philae temple complex - Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae
Agilkia, Assuan, Egypt
19.10.2023
The Temples of Philae, a breathtaking testament to ancient Egyptian and Greco-Roman craftsmanship, stand majestically on Agilkia Island near Aswan in southern Egypt. This iconic UNESCO World Heritage site is not only a marvel of architecture but also a symbol of international cooperation, having been meticulously relocated block by block to save it from the rising waters of the Nile.
A Sanctuary for Isis
Originally situated on an island in the Nile near the First Cataract, the complex served as a primary cult center for the goddess Isis, revered as the divine mother and consort of Osiris, and mother of Horus. Construction began predominantly during the Ptolemaic dynasty (305–30 BC), with early structures attributed to pharaohs like Nectanebo I around 380-362 BC. However, the most significant additions and embellishments continued well into the Roman period, with emperors like Augustus, Tiberius, and Trajan contributing to its grandeur, demonstrating the site's enduring religious importance even under foreign rule.
Architectural Grandeur
The principal structure, the Temple of Isis, dominates the complex, featuring impressive pylons adorned with intricate reliefs depicting pharaohs making offerings to the gods. Visitors are captivated by the stunning hypostyle halls, sanctuaries, and numerous smaller temples dedicated to other deities. One of the most famous and well-preserved structures is the Kiosk of Trajan, an unfinished but architecturally striking pavilion offering magnificent views and reflecting the stylistic transition between Egyptian and Roman influences.
The Great Rescue Operation
The fate of Philae took a dramatic turn with the construction of the Aswan Low Dam in 1902 and later the Aswan High Dam in the 1960s. The rising waters of Lake Nasser threatened to permanently submerge the entire complex. In a monumental international effort spearheaded by UNESCO, akin to the rescue of Abu Simbel, the temples of Philae were painstakingly dismantled, stone by stone, between 1972 and 1980. Over 40,000 blocks were moved from the original Philae Island to higher ground on nearby Agilkia Island, which was reshaped to resemble the original site. This incredible feat ensured that future generations could marvel at these ancient treasures.
Today, Philae continues to inspire, offering a profound journey through millennia of Egyptian history and religious devotion, beautifully preserved against the backdrop of the serene Nile waters.
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This outstanding archaeological area contains such magnificent monuments as the Temples of Ramses II at Abu Simbel and the Sanctuary of Isis at Philae, which were saved from the rising waters of the Nile thanks to the International Campaign launched by UNESCO, in 1960 to 1980.
The Philae temple complex (; Ancient Greek: Φιλαί or Φιλή and Πιλάχ, Egyptian Arabic: فيلة Egyptian Arabic: [fiːlæ], Egyptian: p3-jw-rķ' or 'pA-jw-rq; Coptic: ⲡⲓⲗⲁⲕ, ⲡⲓⲗⲁⲕϩ, Coptic pronunciation: [ˈpilɑk, ˈpilɑkh]) is an island-based temple complex in the reservoir of the Aswan Low Dam, downstream of the Aswan Dam and Lake Nasser, Egypt in Africa.
Originally, the temple complex was located on Philae Island, near the expansive First Cataract of the Nile in Upper Egypt. These rapids and the surrounding area have been variously flooded since the initial construction of the Aswan Low Dam in 1902. With the construction of the modern dam in Aswan (1960–1970) a few kilometers upstream, this temple was going to face total flooding and was initially omitted from the Nubia Campaign project to rescue all temples in the area and avoid what had previously happened with the Aswan Low Dam and the Temple of Philae. However, the importance of the monumental complex, formerly known as the Pearl of the Nile, remembered for the description by Pierre Loti in his literary work Mort de Philae, led to further commitment from UNESCO member countries, which launched an international competition to save the monuments of Philae.
The solution proposed by a consortium of Egyptian designers prevailed, which involved dismantling the ninety-five monumental structures on the island and reconstructing them at a higher site, 12.40 meters above the original location, by leveling the nearby islet of Agilkia. The contract for the execution of the works was awarded by UNESCO in 1974, through the Egyptian Ministry of Culture, to two Italian companies: Condotte Acque from Rome and Mazzi Estero from Verona, later joined as Condotte-Mazzi Estero S.p.A. The two companies were tasked with documenting, dismantling, and restoring the Philae monumental complex, as well as transferring and reconstructing it at the new site on Agilkia Island. A third Egyptian company, the High Dam Company, which had previously built the Aswan High Dam, was assigned the task of draining the original monumental site and preparing the reinforced concrete foundations and landscaping of Agilkia. The Italian architect Giovanni Joppolo was entrusted with the supervision and responsibility for all operations under the Italian consortium's jurisdiction. The whole operation lasted from 1977 to 1980. The hieroglyphic reliefs of the temple complex are being studied and published by the Philae Temple Text Project of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna (Institute OREA).
