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| Overlooking the flooded islands |
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| Temple from the boat |
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| The main building |
The temple to the goddess Isis is currently located on the Island of Agilika, close to Aswan, above the Low dam, but before the High dam. This temple was subjected to periodic flooring and when UNESCO undertook the mammoth task of relocating various ancient sites with the construction of the High dam, this temple was also moved from its location on the Island of Philae to its current location. It is still called the temple of Philae. This is mainly because the now submerged Island of Philae was believed to be the burial site of Osiris.
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| Boats to take you to the island |
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| Interesting guest house |
The goddess Isis (not to be confused with the current terror group) was the sister and wife (nothing like keeping it in the family) of Osiris. They had a son names Horus. Isis was the goddess of life and magic and she protected woman and children and healed the sick. The stories of Osiris are represented on the many walls of the various temples.
After my trip to Abu Simbel, which was my main reason for traveling to Aswan and my short workaction (a few days off between work commitments) I also had the opportunity to visit this amazing temple. As this temple was on an island, the trip started with a boat ride. This was pretty much out of high tourist season and there was basically very few people looking to get a boat across to the island. It was still very, very hot!
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| Damage to many of the reliefs. The crocodile can be seen in this one. |
In the center of the temple is the birth house, which is dedicated to to Horus. There are various Pylons (which represent reeds) and the second row of pylons lead to a hypostyle hall. This site was also used by Christians as a church and in some places, crosses have been carved over the hieroglyph reliefs.
There is also the Temple of Hathor, which is dedicated to musicians and there is a relief of an ape playing a lute!This temple is also dedicated to Bes, the god of childbirth.
There is just so much to see and experience in Egypt and there is an overwhelming wealth of archeological ruins and sites scattered around Egypt. It would take many lifetimes just to see all of them, let alone fully understand the story behind each of the sites. The guide I had was really very good and was a wealth of knowledge, but it all gets just too much to take in on a short trip.
The Nile cruses which either run from Luxor to Aswan or from Aswan to Luxor will normally include a visit to this site. Well worth a visit, but preferably not in summer. It is very hot!
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| Christian cross carved over the ancient Egyptian reliefs |
Even in the hotel, getting a cold beer was quite a mission. The beer would come out of the fridge, but would not be very cold. Best solution was to buy a few beers at once and get an ice bucket into which the beers were placed and were kept cool until needed.
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