Philae Temple (Agilkia Island)

Philae Temple on Agilkia Island in the Aswan Governorate of Egypt is one of the ancient world's most romantic sacred sites — a temple complex dedicated primarily to the goddess Isis, surrounded by the waters of the Nile reservoir created by the Aswan Low Dam. The temples were originally situated on the island of Philae but were permanently submerged after the Low Dam's construction in 1902; only partially accessible during winter months, they were relocated stone by stone between 1972 and 1980 to the nearby higher ground of Agilkia Island as part of a UNESCO international salvage campaign. Visitors reach the island by a short motorboat crossing from the Shellal boat dock, south of Aswan. The dominant structure is the Temple of Isis, begun in the 4th century BC under Nectanebo I and completed over several centuries under Ptolemaic and Roman rulers. Its two pylons, each decorated with large relief scenes of pharaohs smiting enemies, frame a processional court leading to the hypostyle hall and inner sanctuary where Isis worship continued until the 6th century AD — among the very last pagan temples operating in the Roman Empire. Side chapels to Hathor and Osiris adjoin the main temple. The kiosk of Trajan — a freestanding rectangular colonnade on the island's eastern edge — is particularly photogenic at late afternoon when golden light falls across its papyriform columns. The island setting with palm trees and Nile reflections makes this one of Egypt's most picturesque ancient sites. An evening sound and light show is held several nights per week. Allow one and a half to two hours.