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Aswan Agilika Island

Information about The Temple of Philae and Ancient Egyptian Heritage

  • 05 16, 2023

Aswan is a top destination featured in Egypt Travel Packages, offering visitors an immersion in the rich history of ancient Egyptian monuments.

The city of Aswan is characterized by many ancient monuments for which Egypt is famous, the most important of which is the Temple of Philae, which survived the fate of drowning in the waters of the Nile, in the 1960s. Aswan is located on the east bank of the Nile River, 899 kilometers south of the Egyptian capital, Cairo.

Egypt Shore Excursions often include visits to the Philae Temple and other iconic landmarks in Aswan.

The Philae temple dedicated to the Egyptian goddess Isis was reassembled in a scenic location to match the temple's original location on Philae Island. The ruins of Philae were moved to nearby Ajelika Island, 500 meters from the original Philae Island, during a UNESCO campaign in the 1960s to save sites that had been flooded by the Nile during the construction of the Aswan High Dam.

Travelers can explore Aswan's highlights on Egypt Day Tours, making it an ideal spot for both history and culture enthusiasts.

Philae Island was of great importance to the ancient Egyptians due to its privileged location, as it formed a natural geographical border with Aswan Island, and was known in Egyptian texts as the dividing line, according to the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities website. The name “Philae” goes back to the Greek word “Philae,” which means “beloved,” and was known in Arabic literature as “Anas al-Wujood,” in reference to the legend of Anas al-Wujood in the folklore stories “Thousand and One Nights.” The ancient Egyptian and Coptic name is “Belak,” which means “the limit or the end” because it was the last border of Egypt in the south.

The ruins of the Temple of Philae include many buildings dating back to the Ptolemaic era, 332-30 BC, most notably the temple started by Ptolemy II Philadelphus, 285-246 BC, which was dedicated to Isis, the mother of Horus, the goddess of royalty, and includes a scene in the birth chamber “Mamizi,” where the birth of Horus was celebrated, in which Isis is shown breastfeeding her son Horus in the woods. The Temple of Isis is one of the most enduring ancient Egyptian temples, as the temple continued to fulfill its role until the Byzantine King Justinian, 527-565 AD, who ordered the closure of all pagan temples, as a priest named Ismet-Akhom inscribed the last hieroglyphic text, dating back to the fourth century AD 394 AD, and the temple was converted into a church, and many of the temple's inscriptions were destroyed.

Adjacent to the Temple of Isis is a temple dedicated to Hathor, built by Ptolemy IV Philomator, 180-145 BC, and Augustus, the first Emperor of Rome, 30 BC-14 AD. Trajan's palace 98-117 AD in front of the Temple of Philae still stands, although its roof is no longer there, and the regular arrangement of its magnificent columns attracted the attention of travelers. Isis was the main goddess of the region, and the emperor is depicted making offerings to her, her husband Osiris, and their son Horus.

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Egypt Tours FAQ

Read top Egypt tours FAQs

You can travel to the Philae temple complex in a number of ways. The majority of river cruises that travel between Luxor and Aswan include Agilkia Island in their itineraries. As an alternative, a lot of tour companies provide day trips from Aswan that transport visitors to the Philae temple complex as well as neighboring sights like the Unfinished Obelisk and the Aswan High Dam. Additionally, you can plan a visit on your own. To go to the Marina Philae Temple, where official boats are waiting to take tourists to Agilkia Island, just take a taxi from Aswan.

Monday through Sunday, 7 am to 4 pm (October through May) and 7 am to 5 pm (June through September), are the hours of operation for the Philae Temple.
 

Nearby Philae Temple (Temple of Isis) attractions include:

  • Unfinished Obelisk
  • The Nubian Museum
  • Elephantine Island
     

Yes, taking a boat ride on the Nile River is a popular activity in Aswan. You can choose from various options, such as felucca sailboats or motorized boats, to explore the river and enjoy the scenic views.

The actual Temple of Philae is located close to Aswan on Philae Island in the Nile River. The name Philae Island is frequently applied to the island itself.

As stated in the prior response, you can visit the Temple of Philae on Philae Island and its assortment of Isis-related structures. Encircled by the Nile River and verdant foliage, the island presents a tranquil and scenic environment.
 

Ajelika Island in Aswan is one of the beautiful and distinctive Nile islands in the region, and it offers many recreational and tourist activities for visitors. Among the activities that can be done on Ajelika Island:

Boat trips: You can rent a private boat or join a boat tour to explore the beauty of the Nile surrounding Ajelika Island. You can enjoy breathtaking views of the river and scenic landscapes along the way.

Relax on the beach: Ajelika Island is characterized by its beautiful sandy beaches, where you can relax in the sun and enjoy the peace and quiet on the banks of the Nile.

Bicycle touring: You can rent a bicycle and wander around Ajelica Island to explore the stunning landscapes and enjoy the fresh air and surrounding nature.

Visiting the island's landmarks: Ajelica Island includes some famous tourist attractions such as St. George's Cathedral and St. Samuel's Monastery, you can spend some time exploring these landmarks and discovering the history of the island.

Hiking and walking: Exploring Ajelica Island on foot is a wonderful experience, as you can wander the streets of the island and explore its beautiful landscapes and tranquil environment.

Dining and shopping: You can enjoy a delicious meal at one of the local restaurants on the island and taste delicious local dishes, in addition to shopping at the local markets to buy gifts and souvenirs.

Agilika is an island in the reservoir of the ancient Aswan Dam along the Nile River in southern Egypt; it is the current site of the Philae Temple after it was moved from Philae, after being flooded in 1902, the Philae Temple was dismantled and moved to Agilika Island, as part of a wider UNESCO project.

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