Philae temple complex - Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae
Agilkia, Assuan, Egypt
19.10.2023
The Tempel von Philae is a magnificent ancient temple located on the island of Agilkia in the city of Assuan in Egypt. This temple is dedicated to the goddess Isis, who was revered as the mother of all gods and the patron goddess of fertility, healing, and magic.
Originally built on the island of Philae, the temple was relocated to its current location on Agilkia in the 1960s due to the construction of the Aswan High Dam, which threatened to submerge the temple underwater. It was dismantled and carefully reconstructed on the island of Agilkia, where it stands today as a stunning example of ancient Egyptian architecture and religious beliefs.
The Tempel von Philae is a complex of several temples, including the main temple of Isis, as well as temples dedicated to other gods such as Hathor and Horus. The most striking feature of the temple is its grand entrance, known as the First Pylon, which is adorned with intricate carvings and reliefs depicting scenes from ancient Egyptian mythology.
Inside the temple, visitors can explore a series of hypostyle halls, courtyards, and sanctuaries, each adorned with elaborate carvings and colorful paintings. The most sacred part of the temple is the inner sanctuary, where a statue of the goddess Isis was believed to reside. This area was accessible only to priests and royalty in ancient times.
The Tempel von Philae also has a rich history, as it was constructed and expanded upon by various pharaohs and rulers over a period of several centuries. It is a testament to the advanced engineering and architectural skills of the ancient Egyptians, who were able to create such magnificent structures without the use of modern technology.
Today, the Tempel von Philae is not only a popular tourist attraction, but also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a must-visit for anyone interested in ancient Egyptian history and culture, and offers a unique opportunity to step back in time and experience the grandeur of this ancient civilization. So if you are planning a trip to Egypt, make sure to add the Tempel von Philae to your itinerary for a truly unforgettable experience.
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 (; Greek: Φιλαί or Φιλή and Πιλάχ, 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.
Until the International Campaign to Save the Monuments of Nubia, 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. The temple complex was dismantled and moved to nearby Agilkia Island as part of the UNESCO Nubia Campaign project, protecting this and other complexes before the 1970 completion of the Aswan High Dam. 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).
