Temple of Kalabsha

Aswan, Egypt

Kalabsha is an ancient Egyptian temple that was originally located at Bab al-Kalabsha (Gate of Kalabsha), approximately 50 km south of Aswan.

In the 1960s the temple was relocated under the International Campaign to Save the Monuments of Nubia, and inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979, along with other outstanding examples of Nubian architecture including Abu Simbel and Amada.

History

The temple was situated on the west bank of the Nile River, in Nubia, and was originally built around 30 BC during the early Roman era. While the temple was constructed in Augustus's reign, it was never finished. The temple was a tribute to Mandulis, a Lower Nubian sun god. It was constructed over an earlier sanctuary of Amenhotep II.

The temple is 76 m long and 22 m wide in dimension. While the structure dates to the Roman period, it features many fine reliefs of the temple.

Several historical records were inscribed on the temple walls of Kalabsha such as a long inscription carved by the Roman Governor Aurelius Besarion in AD 250, forbidding pigs in the temple as well as an inscription of 'the Nubian king Silko, carved during the 5th century and recording his victory over the Blemmyes and a picture of him dressed as a Roman soldier on horseback.' Silko was the Christian king of the Nubian kingdom of Nobatia.

Movement

With help from Germany, the temple of Kalabsha was relocated after the Aswan High Dam was built, to protect it from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. The temple was moved to a site, located just south of the Aswan High Dam. The process of moving the temple took more than two years. The temple of Kalabsha was the largest free-standing temple of Egyptian Nubia (after Abu Simbel, which was rock-cut, not free-standing) to be moved and erected at a new site.

In 1971, Egypt gave one of the temple's gates to the Federal Republic of Germany out of gratitude for Germany’s participation in the rescue of the Nubian temples. Since 1977 the gate has been located in the annex of Berlin's Egyptian Museum in Berlin-Charlottenburg. The gate will be moved to become the monumental entrance to the fourth wing of the Pergamon Museum in Berlin, which is currently, as of 2023, being constructed.

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Aswan, Egypt
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Details

Founded: 30 BCE
Category: Prehistoric and archaeological sites in Egypt

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Георгий Титов (27 days ago)
The place is unique and really picturesque. However mind that it's quite remote and the boats might be pricey. Personally, I had a terrible experience on the land with several people pretending they were police and charging 1000 pounds for "entrance tickets" which turned out to be fake. The tickets are sold on the island itself, mind that
Tim Curry (2 years ago)
We were the only people on the entire island! It's a bit shocking that this temple is so much less visited. We went to Philae earlier in the day and it was a mass of humanity. But here, we were free to explore the island and its temples all by ourselves. It's also a fascinating fusion of Nubian and Egyptian religions that we didn't get in any other temple complex. But go with a guide who knows the history or it will be lost on you.
Catherine Shawarby (3 years ago)
We boarded our own boat, no one else around, and had the temple and island to ourselves and the guardians, who seemed delighted someone had remembered them!
The temple was moved from destruction by the building of the high dam and subsequent flooding of the valley to form Lake Nasser, an incredible feat in itself. The temple itself is small, and decor unfinished, in nubianstyle, but still fascinating to see. Walking the granite walkway to an adjoining island is the temple of Ramses II, a very small and compact temple with reliefs which still retain their colour but are quite rudimentary in style and ere are a couple of monuments around the temple which were saved at the same time which make interesting viewing, while the sun was hot there was a refreshingly cool breeze all around the island, and no humidity which draws the energy from you.
Elaine Carr (3 years ago)
This is a beautiful place. One of the things which made it such a great experience is that we were the only people visiting! Make sure you walk around the whole site. There are some excellent reliefs to see. We found images of an elephant on one of the stone blocks outside. It takes a bit of effort to get to and some negotiations with the boatman , (we paid 150EGP per person, which was probably too much). Views of Lake Nasser are stunning but sad to think of all the Nubian people displaced by the creation of the Lake.
Ernest T (4 years ago)
a relocated ancient temple on a tiny island. the open view to Lake Nasser was so beautiful and so peaceful. no tourist, the staff opened the gate and turned on the lighting for us, and it was very clean. the small forecourt, the vestibule, and a large relief in the 1st room were well maintained. in contrast, the Kiosk of Qertassi was a bit ruined. the boatman took us here, offered a small bazaar on the boat, very welcomed by ladies !
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