Philae Temple

 Philae Temple

Which is considered one of the greatest tourist attractions in Aswan… As the city of Aswan is distinguished by many ancient monuments that Egypt is famous for, and one of its most important ancient monuments is the Temple of Philae, which survived the fate of drowning in the waters of the Nile in the sixties.

The name “Philae” goes back to the Greek word “Philae”, which means “beloved”, and it was known in Arabic literature as “Anas Al-Wujud”, in reference to the legend of Anas Al-Wujud in popular stories. “One Thousand and One Nights”. As for the ancient Egyptian and Coptic name, it is “Bilaq,” which means the limit or the end because it was the last border of Egypt from the south.

The Temple of Philae, also known as the Temple of Isis, is an ancient Egyptian temple complex located on the island of Philae in the Nile River. This temple is dedicated to the goddess Isis, one of the most important deities in the ancient Egyptian pantheon.

Now we will talk about the most important features and information about the Temple of Philae:

As for its transfer, the Philae Temple was originally located on the island of Philae in Upper Egypt. However, due to the construction of the Aswan High Dam in the 1960s, the temple faced the risk of sinking due to the rising water levels of Lake Nasser. To save this historically important site, a major international effort was made to move the temple to the nearby island of Agilkia between 1972 and 1980. This delicate process involved dismantling the temple complex into thousands of blocks and rebuilding it on high ground.

The Philae temple complex is also a stunning example of ancient Egyptian architecture and art. It consists of many buildings and structures, including the main temple dedicated to Isis, a smaller temple dedicated to Hathor (the goddess of music, dance, and love) and many other shrines and monuments.

Also dedicated to Isis, the temple was primarily dedicated to the goddess Isis, who was a symbol of mother worship, healing, and magic in Egyptian mythology. It was an important religious center and pilgrimage site for the worship of Isis.

The temple features traditional Egyptian architectural elements, such as towers, columns and courtyards. The walls and columns of the temple are decorated with complex hieroglyphic writings and inscriptions depicting various scenes from ancient Egyptian mythology and history.

The temple’s historical importance is due to the fact that it was in use for centuries, from the Ptolemaic period to the Roman era, making it one of the last active temples in the classical Egyptian religious tradition. She played an important role in the spread of the worship of Isis throughout the Greco-Roman world.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site showed appreciation for its historical and cultural importance, and the Philae Temple Complex was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, along with other landmarks on Philae Island.

Finally, visitors and tourists coming to Egypt can explore the beautifully preserved Temple of Philae, which offers a fascinating glimpse into the religious and architectural achievements of ancient Egypt. It also represents a testament to the efforts made to preserve and protect Egypt’s rich cultural heritage.