Temple of Philae
Philae is an island in the Nile, located between the Aswan High Dam and the Aswan Dam in the Aswan Governorate. It lies in the First Cataract, about 7 kilometers south of the modern city of Aswan, providing a safe place for temple construction away from flooding. The island contains many monuments, the most important of which is the Temple of Isis. The name “Philae” is Greek and means “treasure” or “favorites.”
The oldest ruins on the island date back to the reign of King Taharqa of the 25th Dynasty.
Temple of Philae
There is also the Temple of Nectanebo I, located in the southeastern corner of the island, consisting of an open courtyard on the east and west sides, with a colonnade of two rows of columns. The west side has 31 columns with composite capitals, and the walls behind the columns are decorated with scenes of offerings and religious rituals. The wall contains windows with direct views of the Nile. The east side has 17 incomplete columns and seven doors leading to the rear courtyard.
The main temple of the island is the Temple of Isis, which was later converted into a church. There is also the Temple of Hathor, the Kiosk of Trajan, and Hadrian’s Gate.
In 1968, the Egyptian government decided to relocate this group of temples to a neighboring island called Agilkia, about 500 meters from Philae Island, to save them from flooding caused by the construction of the Aswan High Dam. In September 1968, UNESCO launched a worldwide campaign to save the Nubian monuments. Parts of the Philae temples were dismantled, moved, reassembled, and opened to visitors in 1980.
The Temple of Isis is roughly in the center of the island. The first pylon serves as the main entrance to the temple, featuring two towers with a gate between them. On the western tower is an inscription depicting King Ptolemy II defeating his enemies in battle. The eastern tower shows Isis in her iconic form and crown, with Horus wearing the double crown standing before the pylon. Two lions carved from pink granite and two large statues once adorned the temple but were taken to England after initial excavation.
The forecourt contains the Mammisi (birth house), composed of several rooms surrounded by a colonnade with Hathor-headed capitals dedicated to Horus and Isis. On the east side, columns have capitals shaped like plants and palm fronds. A staircase leads to the inner chambers and the sanctuary, whose walls are covered with beautiful carvings and remain in excellent condition.
Next to the temple and right on the Nile stands the so-called Kiosk of Trajan, also known as the Pharaoh’s first bed, built by the Roman Emperor Trajan around 100 AD. It features 14 columns with magnificent composite floral capitals. The walls are decorated with reliefs depicting the emperor offering sacrifices to Isis and Horus. The kiosk may once have had a wooden roof.
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