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  • Egypt Aswan Governorate Aswan

    Aswan Governerate in Egypt

    One of Egypt's southern governorates is Aswan Governorate. The city of Aswan serves as its capital. At a latitude of 22 north of the equator (also known as the Tropic of Cancer), it is bounded to the north by the Qena Governorate, to the east by the Red Sea Governorate, to the west by the New Valley Governorate, and to the south by the Republic of Sudan.

  • Things to Do in Luxor

    Luxor Governorate Egypt

    The capital of the Arab Republic of Egypt is Luxor City, which was once known as "Thebes City" because it served as Egypt's capital during the Pharaonic era. It is situated in the South Upper Egypt region, approximately 670 kilometers from the capital Cairo from the south. It is bordered on the north by Qena Governorate, on the south by Aswan Governorate, on the east by Red Sea Governorate, and on the west by New Valley Governorate.

  • kafr El Sheikh Governorate | kafr El Sheikh Governorate History

    History of kafr El Sheikh Governorate

    Kafr El Sheikh Governorate is an Egyptian governorate, located in the northernmost part of Egypt in the Nile Delta, with Kafr El Sheikh as its capital. It had a population of 3,172,753 in 2015 and an area of 3,748 km². Its entire area is located north of the delta and overlooks the Mediterranean Sea. The main economic activity of the residents of the governorate is agriculture and fishing, especially the southern lands of the governorate and the lands overlooking the Nile River - Rosetta Branch.

  • Egypt's New Administrative Capital City

    Egypt's New Administrative Capital

    The New Administrative Capital is located between the Cairo-Suez and Cairo-Ain Sokhna roads, 60 km from Cairo and the same distance from Ain Sokhna and Suez. The New Administrative Capital is located on the border of Badr City, in the area between the Cairo-Suez and Cairo-Ain Sokhna roads, just after New Cairo, Mostakbal City and Madinaty.

  • Historical Importance of Al Gharbia

    Al Gharbia Governorate

    Gharbia Governorate is one of the governorates full of archaeological sites, whether they are places or facilities (mosques, churches), as the governorate is a destination for visitors to these places throughout the year, whether they are Egyptians from the different governorates.

  • Marsa Alam City

    Hamata Islands (Qulaan Archipelago) in Marsa Alam

    The Hamata area, south of Marsa Alam in the Red Sea, is one of the most important parts of the Wadi El Gemal Reserve, whether in the desert or the sea. It was named after the sorrel plant, which was distorted to Hamata.

Aswan Agilika Island

Information about The Temple of Philae and Ancient Egyptian Heritage

  • 05 16, 2023

The World Heritage Site “Nubian Landmarks from Abu Simbel to Philae” includes many archaeological sites such as the Temple of Ramses II in Abu Simbel and the Temple of Isis on Philae Island, which were saved from drowning due to the construction of the High Dam. Egypt Travel Packages often include visits to these incredible sites as part of a rich historical experience.

The original location of the Nubia World Heritage Site monuments was in front of the second waterfall, but since the construction of the High Dam, they have been relocated to their current location. Egypt Shore Excursions frequently offer guided trips to these relocated monuments for tourists wishing to witness the grandeur of Egypt’s ancient history.

UNESCO also launched a global campaign to save the sites threatened by the construction of the dam and relocate them to a new site suitable from a safety point of view during the period from 1960 to 1980 AD at a cost of 80 million dollars, as stated by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, in which 50 countries participated and ICOMOS contributed. The “Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae” site was registered on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1979. Egypt Day Tours often include a visit to these remarkable sites.

Abu Simbel Temple The Abu Simbel site includes two temples, the Great Temple of Abu Simbel, which was dedicated to the worship of “Ra Hor Ikhti” and “Amun Ra” Ptah and the king himself, and the Little Temple of Abu Simbel, which is located 100 meters from the first temple, dedicated to the goddess Hathor and Queen Nefertari, the main wife of the king. Egypt Travel Packages that focus on southern Egypt frequently offer tours to Abu Simbel for an unforgettable experience.

The importance of the Great Temple of Abu Simbel is due to its association with the phenomenon of the perpendicularity of the sun on the face of the statue of Pharaoh Ramses II twice a year; the first coincides with the anniversary of his birth day on October 22 and the second on February 22, the day of his coronation. Egypt Shore Excursions often arrange for tourists to witness this spectacular event.

Philae Temple The ruins of Philae include many buildings dating back to the Ptolemaic era (332-30 BC), most notably the temple begun by Ptolemy II Philadelphus (285-246 BC), which was dedicated to Isis, the mother of Horus, the goddess of royalty, and there is a scene in the mamizi or birth chamber, where the birth of Horus was celebrated, showing Isis nursing her son Horus in the bush. Egypt Day Tours can provide a detailed journey through Philae, immersing travelers in its history.

The Temple of Isis is considered one of the most continuous ancient Egyptian temples; the temple continued to fulfill its role until the Byzantine King Justinian (527 - 565 AD), who ordered the closure of all pagan temples, where a priest named Ismet-Akhom inscribed the last hieroglyphic text dating back to the fourth century AD (394 AD). The temple was converted into a Christian church, and many of the temple's inscriptions were destroyed. Egypt Travel Packages to Aswan often include a stop at Philae to explore this fascinating temple’s rich heritage.

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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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