Philae Temple - Tempel von Philae

The Philae Temple is an ancient temple complex from Greco-Roman times and is located about 8 kilometers south of Aswan in the Lake Nasser in the area between the old and new dam in the south Egypt in the Aswan Governorate. The current location of the temple complex is no longer the original island Philae (Arabic:فيلة‎, Fīla), as it was flooded by Lake Nasser. The temple complex was moved to the higher island in the 1960s Agilkia (Arabic:جزيرة إجيليكا‎, Ǧazīrat Iǧīlīkā, „Igīlīkā island“) Changed. Together with other pharaonic monuments on Lake Nasser the temple complex belongs to Unesco world heritage site.

background

The origin and meaning of the name Philae are controversial. The island has been at the latest since the 26th dynasty Cult place for Isis, maybe before for Amun too. In the late period, the place developed into the most important Isis pilgrimage site in Egypt.

The Isis worship on Philae is since Taharqa (25th Dynasty) and Amasis (26th Dynasty) occupied; Relief blocks relating to this were found during the implementation of the temple complex. The main temple of Isis was built in Greco-Roman times from Ptolemy II over a period of 7 centuries (between 380 BC and 300 AD). The cult site served both the Ptolemies and the Nubian Bedouins south of Philae. The Isis cult was only banned under the Emperor Justinian around 535 - 537 and the temple was closed.

In the following years the place was changed by a Christian community used, four churches were built here. The community continues to exist even after the Arab-Islamic conquest; their era does not end until around the 12th century.

Already the first dam (Arabic:السد‎, as-Sadd), which was completed in 1902, contributed to the fact that the island of Philae was flooded for most of the year, a visit was only possible in the autumn months of August to December. The construction of the new dam (Arabic:السد العلي‎, as-Sadd al-Alī, in German the Hochdamm) would have meant complete loss. In the years 1972 to 1980, following an appeal by Unesco, the temple complex was implemented by an Italian company, financed by Italy and Germany, on the neighboring island of Agilkia, which is 800 m northwest and now 13 m higher (Arabic:جزيرة إجيليكا‎, Ǧazīrat Iǧīlīkā, „Igilika Island“), Which had to be leveled before implementation. However, the implementation was not complete: the temple foundations and two churches fell victim to the floods of Lake Nasser.

getting there

You can take a taxi, minibus or bus to the boat dock on the east bank of the reservoir immediately south of the old (northern) dam.

The journey can only be made by boat. As a single traveler, this is a bit more difficult if you don't want to stay on the island for just an hour. Here it takes some negotiating skills to agree the departure time with the boat driver. The boats pass the west side of the island to land on the south island of the island.

mobility

The temple complex can only be explored on foot.

Tourist Attractions

The Philae Temple Complex is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The admission price is LE 180 and LE 90 for students (as of 11/2019).

You enter the island in the south. You can see it in the west Kiosk Nektanebos ’I. and the 93 m long West Colonnade with the Nile knife; you can see it in the east Temple for Arensnuphis (a Nubian deity) and the East Colonnade with the Imhotep temple at the north end.

Before the first pylon you can see the remains of two obelisks and two granite lions, and in the east in front of this pylon the Philadelphos Gate. On the 46 m wide and 18 m high first pylon is Ptolemy XII. depicted during the knocking down of enemies, the handing over of the upper and lower Egyptian crowns to Horus and Nephthys, before Isis and the Horus child and in triumph. The back of this pylon bears the representation of priests carrying the barque of the goddess Isis.

In the following courtyard is located on the west side Mammisi, the birthplace of Hathor-Isis with their Horis child. Similar to the systems of Dendera and Edfu the two-room temple building is surrounded by a colonnade. The temple bears depictions from the life of the Horus child (birth, suckling by Hathor-Isis, growing up in the swamp, etc.).

In the north follows 32 m wide and 12 m high second pylon, on which the sacrificing King Ptolemy XII. is shown. Through this pylon you can reach the Temple of Isis and Harpocrates, the Horus child, who was erected and decorated over several centuries from Ptolemy II. This temple is also dedicated to Osiris, Nephthys, Hathor, Khnum and Satet. The temple house, the facade of which is formed by barriers, with its storage rooms and the sanctuary can be reached via an open colonnaded courtyard. On the roof of the temple there is also an Osiris cult site, the Osiris room, which is not accessible to tourists.

Laterally, in a westerly direction from the second pylon, the reaches in the west Hadrian's Gate and the Harendotes Temple (Harendotes is a manifestation of Horus who protects his father Osiris).

In the east and northeast of the island are the Trajan's kiosk, the remains of the Hathor Temple, and (already north of the Temple of Isis) the remains of two churches, des Temple of Augustus and the Gate of Diocletian.

(Note: it is no longer possible to climb the pylons).

activities

A pyramid sound and light show is held two to three times a day. The admission price for foreigners is LE 75 (as of 7/2013).

Day	First show	Second show	Third show
Monday	English	Français	No show
Tuesday	Français	English	Français
Wednesday	Français	English	Français
Thursday	Français	Español	Italiano
Friday	English	Français	No show
Saturday	English	‏اللغة العربية الفصحى‎	No show
Sunday	German	Français	No show
October to March, start	6:30 p.m.	7.45 p.m.	9:00 p.m.
April to September, start	8:00 p.m.	9:15 pm	10:30 p.m.

shop

accommodation

Accommodation is usually in Aswan.

trips

literature