Temple of Philae, Egypt
One of Egypt’s Most Iconic & Fascinating Ancient Temples
The Temple of Isis, commonly known as the “Temple of Philae” due to the island it once rested on, has some of the most fascinating history of all the temples in Egypt.
As the Temple of Philae lives on an island, the only way to visit is via boat.
Aswan
The city of Aswan, situated at the first cataract of the Nile, has been a major city in Egypt dating back thousands of years. Originally, this marked Egypt’s southern border, making it a hub for trade with Nubia and Africa. Many small islands pop out of the water in the middle of the Nile like bumps on the back of a crocodile. These include Elephantine Island, and the one we’re heading to today. This island is home to the Temple of Isis, better known as the Temple of Philae.
Temple of Philae
Construction of the Temple of Isis stretched into the early Roman period, which means that you’ll find aspects of both Egyptian and Greco-Roman architecture.
With the Temple on its own island in the middle of the Nile, the only way to get there is on a boat. This island is home to several temples, but the largest is the temple dedicated to the goddess Isis. A large courtyard surrounded by columns marks the entrance. These columns were Roman-built. While the East Colonnade is finished, complete with hieroglyphics, the West Colonnade remains unfinished, with columns devoid of symbols or ornaments. Most of this temple was built relatively recently by Egyptian standards - around 300-250 BCE, beginning during the reign of Ptolemy II. Construction stretched into the early Roman period, which means that you’ll find aspects of both Egyptian and Greco-Roman architecture.
This grand Temple of Isis remained a pilgrimage site and a place of worship for the Cult of Isis long into the beginnings of Christianity. Isis is the goddess of healing, fertility, magic, and death. As the Roman Empire embraced Christianity and Emperor Constantine outlawed pagan religions, this temple sat just far enough away from the rule of Rome that Isis continued to be worshiped here as late as 550 CE. Throughout the following centuries, however, Christians took over the temple and carefully defaced many Egyptian reliefs.
Isis was worshipped not only in Egypt, but all over the Roman Empire. Temples dedicated to her were built as far away as Delphi in Greece, Pompeii & Rome in Italy, as well as in Germany and Spain.
Egypt’s Final Heiroglyphics
This temple also holds another secret. It was here that the last hieroglyphics were inscribed, according to legend, on August 24, 394 CE. It wasn’t long after that the language was thought to be lost forever. It would be 1400 years before the discovery of the Rosetta Stone, and the system of writing was once again unlocked.
Kiosk of Trajan
Perhaps one of the most recognizable structures on the island is the Kiosk of Trajan, an unfinished open-air temple that was the subject of many Victorian-era paintings.
What I wouldn’t give to travel back in time and row a boat through the Temple of Isis.
Row, Row, Row Your Boat
Just like the Abu Simbel monument to the south, the Temple of Philae was at risk of being lost forever with the building of the Aswan High Dam. So it was moved, stone by stone, 20 meters higher, from the island of Philae, to a new island called Agilkia in the 1970s.
Prior to being moved, for 6 months out of every year the temple was partially submerged underwater. When people would visit the temple, they would take a rowboat through the towering columns. The black high water marks are still visible today on the temple itself, and the surrounding islands.
Note - In the evenings, visitors are treated to an evening Sound & Light Show with projections on the ancient monuments. While I haven’t experienced this myself, I’ve heard that it’s very cool!
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The Temple of Isis, commonly known as the “Temple of Philae” due to the island it once rested on, has some of the most fascinating history of all the temples in Egypt.