Philae Temple

Architectural Features and Layout

Arriving at the Island

Visitors reach Philae Temple via motorboat from a landing near the Aswan Low Dam (Shellal Dam). The approximately 5-10 minute boat ride across the sparkling blue water creates a sense of journey and anticipation, as the temple gradually comes into view rising from the island shore. The approach by water, similar to how ancient pilgrims would have arrived, adds to the site's romantic and sacred atmosphere.

The First Pylon

The temple's massive First Pylon (entrance gateway) dominates the approach, standing approximately 18 meters (59 feet) high and 45 meters (148 feet) wide. The pylon's walls feature large relief carvings showing Ptolemaic rulers (depicted as traditional pharaohs) smiting enemies before the gods—a classic Egyptian artistic motif asserting royal power and divine sanction.

Two granite lions guard the entrance, and flag poles once stood in front of the pylon holding colorful banners visible from great distances. The pylon's imposing scale and decorative reliefs immediately establish the temple's importance and sacred character.

The Forecourt and Birth House

Beyond the First Pylon lies a spacious forecourt surrounded by colonnades on three sides. This open area accommodated pilgrims and worshippers during festivals and ceremonies. On the western side stands the Birth House (Mammisi), a small temple dedicated to Horus's divine birth. The Birth House features columns with elaborate capitals and reliefs showing episodes from Isis's protection and raising of Horus, emphasizing the goddess's maternal role.

The Second Pylon and Hypostyle Hall

The Second Pylon, smaller but still impressive, leads to the temple's inner chambers. Passing through this gateway, visitors enter the Hypostyle Hall—a pillared chamber with ten columns supporting the ceiling. The columns feature beautiful floral capitals in various designs including papyrus, lotus, and palm fronds, showing the Egyptian love of nature-inspired decoration.

The hall's walls display reliefs of Ptolemaic kings making offerings to Egyptian deities, maintaining the artistic fiction that Greek rulers were traditional Egyptian pharaohs. The ceiling retains traces of original blue paint decorated with stars, representing the heavens.

Inner Chambers and Sanctuary

Beyond the Hypostyle Hall, a series of smaller chambers leads to the inner sanctuary where the cult statue of Isis would have stood. These chambers became progressively smaller, darker, and more restricted as one moved deeper into the temple—only high priests could access the innermost sanctuary where the most sacred rituals occurred.

The sanctuary walls feature reliefs showing priests performing daily rituals including awakening the goddess's statue, presenting offerings, burning incense, and reciting prayers. These images provide valuable documentation of ancient Egyptian religious practices that are otherwise known primarily from written texts.

The Kiosk of Trajan

One of Philae's most photographed and iconic structures, the Kiosk of Trajan stands at the eastern edge of the complex. This elegant pavilion features 14 columns with beautifully carved floral capitals supporting a partial roof. Built during the reign of Roman Emperor Trajan (98-117 AD), the kiosk likely served as a ceremonial gateway where the goddess's sacred boat would dock during festival processions.

The kiosk's open, airy design and dramatic island setting make it a favorite photography location. The structure beautifully exemplifies the Greco-Roman aesthetic applied to traditional Egyptian architectural forms—classical column proportions and capitals combined with Egyptian spatial organization and religious purpose.

The UNESCO Rescue Operation

The Threat from Dams

Philae's original island location between the Old Aswan Dam and the High Dam created increasing problems throughout the 20th century. When the Old Aswan Dam was completed in 1902 and raised in 1912 and 1933, Philae Temple spent much of each year partially submerged, with water levels sometimes reaching halfway up the columns. Visitors toured the partially flooded temple by boat, and aquatic plants grew on the submerged portions.

When Egypt built the Aswan High Dam in the 1960s, Lake Nasser would permanently submerge Philae. UNESCO recognized this impending loss and launched an international rescue campaign.

The Relocation Process

Between 1972-1980, engineers undertook the massive project of relocating Philae Temple. The process involved:

Temporary dam construction: Engineers built a cofferdam around Philae Island, pumping out water to create a dry working area.

Dismantling: Workers carefully dismantled the entire temple complex, cutting it into approximately 40,000 numbered blocks. Each block was documented photographically and through detailed drawings to ensure accurate reconstruction.

Island preparation: Nearby Agilkia Island, slightly higher and safe from flooding, was selected as the new site. Workers sculpted Agilkia's surface to resemble Philae's topography, creating an environment matching the original island as closely as possible.

Reconstruction: The temple was reconstructed block by block on Agilkia, matching the original layout precisely. Joints were filled and surfaces treated to make the reconstruction seamless.

Landscaping: Gardens, pathways, and other features were added to Agilkia to enhance its resemblance to the original Philae.
The project succeeded brilliantly. Today's visitors see what appears to be the original Philae Temple in its ancient island setting, with most unable to detect that the entire complex was moved and reconstructed in modern times.

Visiting Philae Temple

Practical Information

Location: Agilkia Island, approximately 8 kilometers south of Aswan. The boat landing is near the Aswan Low Dam (Shellal Dam).
Access: All visitors must take motorboats from the Shellal Dam landing to reach the island (5-10 minute ride). Boat fees are typically included in tour prices or entrance tickets. Boats operate continuously throughout opening hours.

Opening hours: Generally 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily (winter) or 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM (summer). The Sound and Light Show runs most evenings (check schedule as showtimes vary).

Entry fees: Modest entrance fees for international tourists (approximately 140 EGP, subject to change). Sound and Light Show requires separate ticket.

Duration: Allow 1.5-2 hours to explore the temple complex thoroughly, including boat transfers. Add 45 minutes for the Sound and Light Show.

What to Bring

Essential items include sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses), water, comfortable walking shoes, camera, light clothing for daytime visits, and warmer layer for evening Sound and Light Show (desert nights can be cool).

Combining with Other Attractions

Philae Temple combines well with other Aswan attractions:

Aswan High Dam (15 minutes): Modern engineering marvel that necessitated Philae's relocation.
Unfinished Obelisk (20 minutes): Ancient quarry revealing stone-working techniques.
Nubian Museum (25 minutes): Excellent museum documenting Nubian culture and the UNESCO rescue campaigns.
Abu Simbel (3 hours south): Ramesses II's colossal temples, also relocated by UNESCO—technically possible to visit both in one day but extremely rushed and not recommended.

Most Aswan tours offer half-day itineraries visiting Philae, the High Dam, and the Unfinished Obelisk together.

Philae Temple is one of Egypt’s most beautiful ancient sites, located on Agilkia Island near Aswan and dedicated to the goddess Isis. Built mainly during the Ptolemaic Period with later Roman additions, it was among the last active centers of ancient Egyptian religion, remaining in use until the 6th century AD. Threatened by flooding from the Aswan dams, the entire temple complex was rescued and relocated by UNESCO to its current island location. Today, Philae captivates visitors with its elegant architecture, well-preserved reliefs, scenic island setting, and popular Sound and Light Show.

Historical Context: The Cult of Isis

Isis: Egypt's Most Beloved Goddess

Isis emerged as one of ancient Egypt's most important and beloved deities, a goddess whose worship eventually spread far beyond Egypt throughout the Greco-Roman world. Egyptians revered Isis as the ultimate mother figure, devoted wife, powerful magician, protector of the dead, and embodiment of feminine power and wisdom.

According to Egyptian mythology, Isis was wife to Osiris (god of the afterlife) and mother to Horus (the falcon god). When Osiris was murdered and dismembered by his brother Set, Isis searched throughout Egypt gathering the pieces, using her magical powers to resurrect Osiris long enough to conceive Horus. She then protected and raised Horus in secret until he could avenge his father and claim the throne of Egypt. This mythology established Isis as the ideal wife and mother, powerful magician, and devoted protector.

Isis's cult expanded dramatically during the Ptolemaic Period when Greek rulers of Egypt promoted her worship. By the Roman Period, Isis temples existed throughout the Mediterranean—in Greece, Italy, Spain, Britain, and beyond. The goddess's universal appeal as protector, healer, and source of wisdom attracted devotees from all social classes and cultures.

Philae's Sacred Significance

Ancient Egyptians believed Philae Island (called Pilak in ancient Egyptian) was one of the burial places of Osiris, making it especially sacred to Isis who mourned her deceased husband. The island became a major pilgrimage destination, with devotees traveling from across Egypt and the Mediterranean to worship at Isis's primary temple and participate in annual festivals celebrating the goddess.

Philae's temple complex functioned as the religious center of Isis worship during the Ptolemaic and Roman periods. The site attracted pilgrims seeking healing, blessing, protection, and divine wisdom. Priests maintained elaborate rituals, performed sacred dramas reenacting Osiris's death and resurrection, and administered the temple's vast estates and properties throughout the region.

Construction Timeline

The current temple complex dates primarily from the Ptolemaic Period, though evidence suggests earlier shrines on Philae dating to the 25th Dynasty (circa 690 BC). Major construction phases include:

Ptolemaic Period (305-30 BC): The main temple of Isis was built, along with the Birth House (Mammisi), First and Second Pylons, and most of the complex's core structures. Ptolemaic pharaohs depicted themselves as traditional Egyptian rulers maintaining ancient religious practices while actually being Greek in culture and language.

Roman Period (30 BC - 395 AD): Roman emperors continued adding to the complex, including the Kiosk of Trajan (one of Philae's most iconic structures), additional decorations, and modifications to existing buildings. Roman rulers recognized the importance of maintaining Egyptian religious traditions to ensure their subjects' loyalty.

Christian Period (4th-6th centuries AD): As Christianity spread through Egypt, some temple areas were converted into churches, with Christian symbols carved over ancient reliefs. Philae Temple remained one of the last functioning ancient Egyptian temples, closing only around 550 AD under Emperor Justinian.