Philae Temple, built in 690 BC and dedicated to the goddess Isis, was a spiritual center of ancient Egypt and the heart of the Osiris-Isis myth. Threatened by flooding from the Aswan dams in the 20th century, it was rescued through a UNESCO-led effort, dismantled into over 40,000 blocks, and relocated to Agilkia Island. Today, it stands as both a stunning tribute to ancient mythology and a triumph of international preservation.
Philae Temple, set peacefully along the serene waters of the Nile River, is one of Egypt’s most enchanting treasures, dedicated to the goddess Isis of motherhood. The temple is a captivating union of myth and majesty, with roots stretching back to 690 BC in the Ptolemaic dynasty. It stands as the birthplace of the Osiris-Isis myth, celebrated for its intricate artistry and spiritual significance that have inspired centuries of admirers, from ancient pilgrims to modern visitors.
In the 20th century, however, Philae’s beauty was nearly lost as the construction of the Aswan Low and High Dams caused dangerous flooding at its original site. The rising waters threatened to swallow this sacred structure entirely, spurring UNESCO and a global team to save Philae from submersion. Carefully dismantled and relocated to the nearby Agilkia Island, the temple was preserved, allowing it to continue enchanting visitors as a living testament to Egypt’s cultural legacy and the resilience of human ingenuity.
Philae Temple is celebrated as an iconic masterpiece of Ptolemaic-era Egypt. It was built in 690 BC, It honors the goddess Isis, symbolizing devotion, healing, and protection. As the birthplace of the Osiris and Isis myth, Philae Temple was central to religious ceremonies, believed to be the resting place of Osiris himself, and visited by pilgrims who sought Isis’ blessings. Its architectural beauty and elaborate reliefs captured the imagination of visitors, artists, and writers, who immortalized Philae in works of art across centuries.
The temple’s relocation became necessary due to dramatic changes in water levels following the construction of the Aswan Low Dam in 1902. When the dam was built, it caused seasonal flooding around Philae, which led authorities to reinforce the structure to withstand partial submersion. But the situation became dire in 1960, following the construction of the Aswan High Dam, which caused the temple to be submerged up to its third level. With Philae at risk of destruction, UNESCO launched a rescue mission to save this invaluable relic of Egyptian history.
The relocation process of the Philae Temple was an extraordinary feat of modern engineering and collaboration. To protect the temple from further damage, a cofferdam system was built around the site, consisting of three interconnected dams and an artificial lake, which effectively reduced the water level. After lowering the water, conservation experts cleaned, documented, and dismantled the temple into over 40,000 individual blocks.
Each unit was meticulously numbered and transported to Agilkia Island, chosen as the new home for Philae due to its similar landscape and proximity. Here, the temple was carefully reassembled and restored to its former glory, preserving the artistic elegance and structural integrity that had captivated ancient Egyptians and global audiences alike.
Philae Temple today stands as an awe-inspiring attraction on Agilkia Island, welcoming visitors who marvel at its resilience and beauty. The temple complex not only embodies ancient Egyptian religion and spirituality but also showcases a successful preservation story, representing the collaborative efforts that saved it from submersion and ensured its legacy endures for generations.
"Egypt Tours Portal" provides a great chance through Egypt vacations to explore Philae temple today after its relocation process, plus enjoy unforgettable tours to the best ancient places all around Egypt starting from Cairo & Alexandria in lower Egypt, all the way to Luxor & Aswan in Upper Egypt. Don't miss the chance to witness all the historical places through a Nile river cruise between Luxor and Aswan.
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The entire country of Egypt deserve to be explored with its every heavenly detail but there are places that must be seen before any other such as the breathtaking Hurghada's red sea, The wonders of Cairo the pyramids of Giza, the great sphinx, the Egyptian Museum, Khan El Khalili Bazaar, the wonders of Luxor like Valley of the Kings, Karnak & Hatshepsut temple and the wonders of Aswan such as Abu Simbel temples, Philea temple, Unfinished obelisk and The Wonders of Alexandria like Qaitbat Citadel, Pompey's Pillar and Alexandria Library. Read more about the best places to visit in Egypt.
If you want to apply for a Visa On Arrival that lasts for 30 days then you should be one of the eligible countries, have a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining and pay 25$ USD in cash, as for the E-Visa for 30 day you should have a valid passport for at least 8 months, complete the online application, pay the e-visa fee then print the e-visa to later be presented to the airport border guard. You could also be one of the lucky ones who can obtain a free visa for 90 days. Read more about Egypt travel visa.
Egypt has a variety of delicious cuisines but we recommend “Ful & Ta’meya (Fava Beans and Falafel)”, Mulukhiya, “Koshary”, a traditional Egyptian pasta dish, and Kebab & Kofta, the Egyptian traditional meat dish.
The best time to travel to Egypt is during the winter from September to April as the climate becomes a little tropical accompanied by a magical atmosphere of warm weather with a winter breeze. You will be notified in the week of your trip if the Climate is unsafe and if any changes have been made.
You should pack everything you could ever need in a small bag so you could move easily between your destinations.
We have been creating the finest vacations for more than 20 years around the most majestic destinations in Egypt. Our staff consists of the best operators, guides and drivers who dedicate all of their time & effort to make you have the perfect vacation. All of our tours are customized by Travel, Financial & Time consultants to fit your every possible need during your vacation. It doesn't go without saying that your safety and comfort are our main priority and all of our resources will be directed to provide the finest atmosphere until you return home.
You will feel safe in Egypt as the current atmosphere of the country is quite peaceful after the government took powerful measures like restructuring the entire tourist police to include all the important and tourist attractions in Egypt. Read more about is it safe to travel to Egypt.
Wear whatever feels right and comfortable. It is advised to wear something light and comfortable footwear like a closed-toe shoe to sustain the terrain of Egypt. Put on sun block during your time in Egypt in the summer to protect yourself from the sun.
The best activity is by far boarding a Nile Cruise between Luxor and Aswan or Vise Versa. Witness the beauty of Egypt from a hot balloon or a plane and try all the delicious Egyptian cuisines and drinks plus shopping in old Cairo. Explore the allure and wonders of the red sea in the magical city resorts of Egypt like Hurghada and many more by diving and snorkeling in the marine life or Hurghada. Behold the mesmerizing western desert by a safari trip under the heavenly Egyptian skies.
There are a lot of public holidays in Egypt too many to count either religious or nation, the most important festivals are the holy month of Ramadan which ends with Eid Al Fitr, Christmas and new years eve. Read more about festivals & publich holidays in Egypt.
Egypt is considered to be one of the most liberal Islamic countries but it has become a little bit conservative in the last couple of decades so it is advised to avoid showing your chest, shoulders or legs below the knees.
Arabic is the official language and Most Egyptians, who live in the cities, speak or understand English or at least some English words or phrases. Fewer Egyptians can speak French, Italian, Spanish, and German. Professional tour guides, who work in the tourism sector, are equipped to handle visitors who cannot speak Arabic and they will speak enough English and other languages to fulfill the needs of all our clients.
The fastest way is a car, of course, a taxi. If you are in Cairo ride a white taxi to move faster or you could board the fastest way of transportation in Egypt metro if the roads are in rush hour.
The temperature in Egypt ranges from 37c to 14 c. Summer in Egypt is somehow hot but sometimes it becomes cold at night and winter is cool and mild. The average of low temperatures vary from 9.5 °C in the wintertime to 23 °C in the summertime and the average high temperatures vary from 17 °C in the wintertime to 32 °C in the summertime. The temperature is moderate all along the coasts.
It is the home of everything a traveler might be looking for from amazing historical sites dating to more than 4000 years to enchanting city resorts & beaches. You will live the vacation you deserve as Egypt has everything you could possibly imagine.
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