Philae Temple

The Temple Of Philae

A Journey Through the Temple of Philae

The soft hum of the boat engine fades as the prow gently kisses the edge of Agilkia Island "Philae temple". The sun is still young—golden, generous, casting glints on the Nile’s rippling skin. Your feet hit the dock with a thud, and already, you're enveloped in something ancient. Timeless. The air smells like warm stone and faraway water lilies. You glance up—and freeze.

Before you stands a colossal gate—the First Pylon. It’s not just stone. It’s a wall of stories, of gods and kings locked in an eternal dialogue. You step closer.

The First Pylon: Gate of the Gods

Eighteen meters high, and it looms over you with a kind of silent authority. Its carvings—massive reliefs—portray a scene frozen in sacred theater: Ptolemy smiting Egypt’s enemies, watched by Isis and Horus, their eyes unreadable. You feel small. Humble.

A soft breeze slips through the pylon’s central gate, and you step under its shadow, between two lion statues—guardians of the divine. The stone under your feet has been kissed by thousands of sandals, bare soles, priestly robes. And now yours.

The Great Court: Between Worlds

You step into the Great Court. It stretches before you, open to the sky, bordered by silent columns—each one a hymn in stone. Some bear the face of Hathor, the goddess of music and motherhood. Their gazes follow you, gently. To your left, a low structure beckons—the mammisi, or Birth House.

It’s quiet here, sheltered, almost intimate. A sanctuary within a sanctuary. Inside, you trace carvings of Isis cradling baby Horus in the reeds. Papyrus stalks, falcons, divine milk—all immortalized in stone. You could swear the air hums with lullabies only gods once heard.

The Priest's Path & the Nilometer

Back outside, tucked along the edge of the temple, you find a narrow corridor and follow it. It winds to a side chamber—dark, cramped, and cold. Once, priests moved here with scrolls in hand, chants on their tongues.

You descend stone steps and find it: the Nilometer. A deep shaft carved into the rock, stairs spiraling into blackness, marked with ancient measurements. This was more than a well—it was a prophecy tool. A priest would measure the Nile’s rise and know: famine or feast, wrath or mercy.

Your hand trails along the wall as you climb back up, reemerging into sunlight. It feels warmer now, like you’ve just touched something secret.

The Second Pylon: Threshold of the Sacred

The Second Pylon rises ahead. It's less imposing than the first but more mysterious. Its worn reliefs depict kings offering water and wine, papyrus and incense. You stand in the gateway, staring upward. A Coptic cross is etched high on one wall, scarred into an older god’s crown. The air thickens—this is holy ground.

You pass through the gate and step into shadow.

The Hypostyle Hall: Pillars of Heaven

Eight towering columns lift the roof skyward. The air cools, filtered through stone. You tilt your head back—overhead, stars and vultures spread their wings on painted ceilings. The walls come alive: scenes of the goddess Nephthys bestowing crowns, Horus seated in eternal judgment, Thoth recording the fate of men and gods.

You take a slow breath. This place—it listens.

Even now, the scent of incense lingers faintly in the cracks. Or maybe it’s your imagination. But something tells you, if you whisper, Isis might answer.

The Inner Chambers: Echoes of the Divine

You move forward, deeper into the temple’s heart. Each doorway narrows, each chamber darker. You pass through a sequence of rooms, their walls dense with stories—offering scenes, chants, rituals, myths woven into stone.

At last, the sanctuary. The final room.

It's small. Almost plain. But at its center rests a pedestal—a place once reserved for the sacred barque of Isis. In your mind’s eye, you see it: a gleaming shrine, adorned with gold and ebony, carried on the shoulders of priests, drifting on a river of stars and song. You close your eyes and hear the rustle of linen robes, the whisper of prayers rising like smoke.

And then—silence.

Temple of Hathor & The Kiosk of Trajan

Outside again, your feet crunch softly on gravel as you make your way eastward. A smaller temple stands there, nestled beneath the sky—the Temple of Hathor. You step in. It’s playful. Light. Reliefs here show musicians, dancers, and baboons playing harps. A celebration. Life. Joy.

Nearby, columns rise like fingers reaching skyward—this is Trajan’s Kiosk, unfinished yet breathtaking. Fourteen slender columns hold up nothing but the sky. It feels Roman, yes, but Egyptian in spirit. You stand in the center, arms wide, and let the wind flow through your open palms. Here, gods were welcomed from river journeys. And today, so are you.

The Rooftop Shrine: A Place to Meet the Sun

There’s one final stair. Hidden. Steep. You climb it.

At the top, the temple of Philae spreads out below like a sacred map. To your left, the Great Court. To your right, the Nile unfurling toward eternity. Ahead: the rooftop altar, where priests once raised offerings to greet the rising sun. You step into its light.

Here, on this roof, the divine and the earthly once met. You close your eyes and feel it—your heartbeat slows, your breath deepens. In that moment, you are not a visitor.

You are part of the temple.

Philae : When Stone Speaks

The Temple of Philae isn’t just carved rock. It’s a layered echo—Ptolemaic and Roman, Pagan and Christian, flooded and rescued. It has moved across time and space, brick by brick, from the drowned island of Philae to the safe shores of Agilkia.

It survived war, weather, and water. And now, it survives in you—in the shiver you felt when you saw Isis’ image, in the hush of the sanctuary, in the ghost of incense that never quite leaves.

You leave the island in silence, looking back only once.

And that’s when you hear it—faint, but clear:

A whisper.    A welcome.      A welcome.

Why is it Called the "Philae Temple"?

The name "Philae" (Greek: Φιλαί, Arabic: فيلا) comes from the ancient Egyptian term "P-aaleq" (𓊪𓄿𓃭𓅱𓊖), meaning "the end" or "remote place." This refers to its location near the southern frontier of Egypt. The Greeks later adapted it to "Philae."

Some scholars also link the name to the Coptic word "Pilak", meaning "corner," as the temple was situated on an island at the edge of Egypt’s dominion.

Where is the Temple of Philae located?

Originally, the temple stood on Philae Island in the Nile near Aswan. However, due to the construction of the Aswan Low Dam (1902) and High Dam (1960s), the temple was submerged underwater for most of the year.

To save it, UNESCO led a massive relocation project (1972–1980), moving the temple block-by-block to Agilkia Island, about 500 meters away. Today, visitors access it by boat from Aswan.

When Was the Philae Temple Built?

• Earliest construction: Begun by Pharaoh Nectanebo I (380–362 BCE)of the 30th Dynasty (Late Period).
• Major expansions: Carried out by the Ptolemies (Greek rulers, 332–30 BCE)and Roman Emperors (Augustus & Tiberius, 1st century CE).
• Latest additions: Some inscriptions date to Emperor Diocletian (3rd–4th century CE).

Unlike most Egyptian temples built by pharaohs, Philae was largely developed under foreign rulers who revered Egyptian gods.

What Does the Temple Contain Inside?

The Philae Temple Complex includes several structures:

1- The Temple of Isis (Main Temple)

• First Pylon: Massive gateway with reliefs of Ptolemy XII smiting enemies.
• Birth House (Mammisi): Depicts the divine birth of Horus, son of Isis and Osiris.
• Inner Sanctuary: Once held the sacred golden statue of Isis(now lost).
• Nilometer: Used to measure the Nile’s water levels for flood predictions.

2- The Kiosk of Trajan (Pharaoh’s Bed)

• A beautiful, unfinished Roman pavilion with 14 columns, built by Emperor Trajan.

3- Temple of Hathor

• Features musical reliefsof Bes (dwarf god of dance) and musicians.

4- Temple of Horus (Harendotes)

• Dedicated to Isis’ son, Horus, in his form as "Horus the Avenger."

5- Christian Influence

• After Christianity spread, parts were converted into a church (6th century CE). Crosses and Coptic graffiti can still be seen.

Why Was the Philae Temple Destroyed?

• Natural Causes: Flooding from the Aswan Low Dam (1902)submerged Philae for months each year, eroding its reliefs.
• Religious Conflict: Early Christians defaced some pagan carvings.
• Salvage Operation: The High Dam (1960s)threatened to drown it permanently, prompting UNESCO to relocate it.

 Why Do Tourists Visit Philae Temple?

• Last Active  Temple: One of the final places where ancient Egyptian religion was practiced(until 537 CE).
• Sound & Light Show: A famous nighttime spectacle narrating Isis’ legends.
• Architectural Beauty: Blends Egyptian, Greek, and Roman styles.
• Mythological Significance: Linked to Isis, Osiris, and Horus—central to Egyptian mythology.

Philae Temple Opening Hours & Tickets

• Opening Hours: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Winter), 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Summer).
• Sound & Light Show: Evening sessions (multiple languages).
• Ticket Cost: ~500 EGP(foreign tourists), discounts for students.
• The ticket does not include the cost of the boat to go to the temple. However, Atum Trip can organize the tour for you, including all transportation. 

10 Lesser-Known Facts About Philae Temple

1. The last hieroglyphic inscription (394 CE) and demotic text (452 CE) in history were found here.
2. Napoleon’s troops drew the first modern sketches of Philae in 1799.
3. Isis worship continued here 200 years after Rome became Christian.
4. The temple was a pilgrimage site for Egyptian, Greeks, and Romans.
5. Cleopatra VII may have visited Philae.
6. The sacred Isis statue was smuggled to Rome before Christianity banned her cult.
7. Agilkia Island, where it now stands, was reshaped to mimic original Philae.
8. The temple’s axis aligns with the Nile’s flow, unlike most Egyptian temples.
9. A hidden chamber beneath the sanctuary may have held Osiris’ relics.
10. Philae was considered a burial place of Osiris (Abaton Island nearby was believed to hold his body).

The Philae Temple is not just an archaeological wonder—it’s a testament to Egypt’s enduring faith in Isis, even under foreign rule. Its rescue from flooding is one of UNESCO’s greatest achievements, ensuring that this "Pearl of the Nile" remains for future generations.

The Goddess Isis: Myths & Facts in Egyptology

Who Is Isis?

• Goddess of Magic, Motherhood, and Healing
• Wife of Osiris, mother of Horus
• Symbols: Throne headdress, ankh, tyet (knot of Isis)

Key Myths

1. Resurrection of Osiris: Isis reassembled Osiris after his murder by Set, creating the first mummy.
2. Protector of Horus: Hid Horus in the Delta marshes to save him from Set.
3. The Secret Name of Ra: Tricked Ra into revealing his true name to gain divine power.

Cult & Worship

• Spread to Rome: Temples built as far as London (Londinium).
• Linked to Virgin Mary: Early Christians merged her imagery with Mary.
• Last active  Stronghold: Philae was her most sacred site.

Isis: The Divine Mother of Egypt – Her Relationships with Osiris, Horus, and Anubis

Isis (Egyptian: Aset or Auset, 𓊨𓏏𓆇𓁐) was one of the most important goddesses in ancient Egyptian religion. She was worshipped as the ideal mother, wife, and magician, embodying love, healing, and resurrection.

Her relationships with Osiris, Horus, and Anubis form the core of one of Egypt’s most enduring myths—the Osiris Cycle—which explains life, death, and kingship.

1. Isis and Osiris: The Sacred Marriage

Roles:

• Isis: Goddess of magic, fertility, and protection.
• Osiris: God of the afterlife, resurrection, and agriculture.

The Myth:

• Osiris was the first divine king of Egypt, ruling wisely with Isis as his queen.
• His jealous brother Set (Seth)murdered him by tricking him into a coffin, which was thrown into the Nile.
• Isis searched tirelesslyfor Osiris’ body, finding it in Byblos (Lebanon).
• Using her magical powers, she briefly revived Osiris and conceived their son, Horus.
• After Osiris’ second death, she helped Anubismummify him, making Osiris the first mummy and ruler of the Duat (underworld).

Symbolism:

• Their love symbolized eternal devotion and resurrection.
• Osiris’ resurrection was linked to the Nile’s flooding and crop cycles.

2. Isis and Horus: The Protective Mother

Roles:

• Horus: Sky god, divine avenger, and rightful heir to Osiris’ throne.

The Myth:

• After Osiris’ death, Isis hid Horus in the Delta marshes(Chemmis) to protect him from Set.
• She used magic spellsto heal him when he was stung by scorpions (a story told in the Metternich Stela).
• When Horus grew up, she supported his battle against Setto reclaim his father’s throne.

Symbolism:

• Isis’ protection of Horus made her the archetype of motherhood(similar to the Virgin Mary in Christianity).
• The Horus-Set conflictrepresented the struggle between order (Ma’at) and chaos (Isfet).

3. Isis and Anubis: The Secret Son?

Roles:

• Anubis: God of mummification and guardian of the dead.

The Myth (Lesser-Known Version):

• In some late traditions, Anubis was secretly the son of Osiris and Nephthys(Isis’ sister).
• Nephthys, disguised as Isis, seduced Osiris, and when Set discovered this, she abandoned the baby.
• Isis found and raised Anubis, making him her adopted son and ally in mummifying Osiris.

Symbolism:

• Anubis’ role in Osiris’ resurrection reinforced Isis’ power over death and rebirth.

Their bond showed her compassion, as she accepted Anubis despite his origins.

Conclusion: The Divine Family’s Legacy

• Isis & Osiris→ Represent love, death, and resurrection.
• Isis & Horus→ Symbolize motherly protection and royal succession.
• Isis & Anubis→ Highlight her mercy and mastery over funerary rites.

This myth cycle was so influential that Isis worship spread to Greece and Rome, where she was called "Isis Myrionymos" (Goddess of a Thousand Names).