The Temple of Philae, the main ancient monument in Aswan, is dedicated to the goddess Isis, wife of Osiris and mother of Horus. Saved from the Nile's waters through a stone-by-stone relocation orchestrated by UNESCO, it now stands on the island of Agilkia, downstream from the High Dam. Its hieroglyphics are recognized as the last known inscriptions of ancient Égypte.

Why Visit the Temples of Aswan

The site offers a rare condensed view of over a thousand years of Égyptian religious history. Founded under the 30th dynasty, it was enriched during the Ptolemaic, Roman and Byzantine periods, and preserves both pharaonic reliefs, Roman additions and traces of Coptic Christianity. The boat crossing to the island adds a scenic approach to the monument itself.

Three elements make the visit particularly interesting:

• Remarkable state of preservation, a consequence of the UNESCO rescue operation carried out in the 1970s.
• A visible cultural stratigraphy: pharaonic hieroglyphics, Roman cartouches and Coptic crosses coexist on the same walls.
• An evening sound and light show that illuminates the reliefs and recounts the legend of Isis.

History of Philae Temple

The temple was founded by the pharaoh Nectanebo I, the last native king of the 30th dynasty. Located on the island of Philae, south of the First Cataract, it marked the southern boundary of ancient Égypte and was a major place of worship for Isis, whose devotion extended as far as Rome. The Ptolemaic sovereigns, and later the Roman emperors, expanded the complex with new chapels, kiosks and monumental gates. During the Byzantine period, two Coptic churches were set up there and some polytheistic reliefs were replaced by ansated crosses.

The Relocation to Agilkia Island

The construction of the Aswan High Dam, begun in the 1960s, caused a permanent rise in water levels that threatened the island of Philae with submersion. Under UNESCO's aegis, the temple was dismantled into over 40,000 blocks and then reassembled identically on the neighboring island of Agilkia, located approximately 500 meters away, between 1974 and 1976. The terrain of the new island was even recontoured to reproduce the original topography.

What to See on Site

Nectanebo's Kiosk and the First Pylon

The visit begins with the Kiosk of Nectanebo, the oldest section of the complex, which serves as a scenic entrance. Next comes the First Pylon, a monumental gateway 18 meters high adorned with reliefs depicting pharaohs and Ptolemaic sovereigns offering sacrifices to Isis, Horus and Hathor.

The House of Horus's Birth

Beyond the gateway, the courtyard leads to the mammisi, or House of Horus's Birth. The carvings detail the phases of the falcon god's childhood. It was in this space that pharaohs legitimized their sovereignty by ritually connecting themselves to the divine lineage of Isis and Osiris.

The Sanctuary of Isis

A second pylon opens onto the columned vestibule, then to the sanctuary that once housed a golden statue of Isis and the ritual barque used during processions. These pieces are now preserved in museums in Florence and Paris. The walls bear Coptic ansated crosses carved by Byzantine Christian communities, rare testimony to the temple's reuse as a Christian place of worship.

Temple of Hathor, Gate of Hadrian and Trajan's Kiosk

Several satellite buildings complete the visit:

• The Temple of Hathor, built by Ptolemy VI Philometor and Ptolemy VIII Evergetes II, then enlarged by Augustus.
• The Gate of Hadrian, whose reliefs bear the cartouches of Hadrian, Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus.
• Trajan's Kiosk, an unfinished structure that became the emblematic image of the site thanks to its composite capital columns.
• The Christian ruins: two Coptic churches and the remains of an ancient monastery, on the edge of the complex.

Practical Information

Allow 1.5 to 2.5 hours on site to tour the entire complex without rushing. The site is accessible year-round; opening hours are extended in summer and reduced in winter. Entry fees remain moderate, with a separate ticket for the sound and light show. Reduced rates apply to students with a valid international student card.

Bring water, a hat and closed-toe shoes: the site is mineral and offers little shade. Photography is permitted, but flash and tripod use may be restricted in certain areas.

When to Visit

The best time to visit Philae is from October to April, when temperatures in Aswan remain comfortable (20 to 30 °C during the day). From June to August, heat regularly exceeds 40 °C and makes daytime visits challenging. In any season, late afternoon offers a raking light particularly favorable to the reliefs. The sound and light show takes place in the evening, several times a week, in various languages depending on the day.

How to Get There

The temple is only accessible by boat. From Aswan, reach the Shellal landing stage, located about ten kilometers south of the city center, by taxi or horse-drawn carriage. The crossing to Agilkia island takes about 10 to 15 minutes by motorboat. Most travelers include Philae in a combined excursion with the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk, which simplifies logistics and allows for shared transport. If you're traveling independently, negotiate the boat fare for the round trip before embarking and clearly set the waiting time on the island.

Nearby

Aswan concentrates several major sites accessible within a day:

• The temples of Abu Simbel, approximately 280 km to the south, also saved by UNESCO.
• The Temple of Kom Ombo, on the route between Aswan and Luxor, dedicated to Sobek and Haroëris.
• The Valley of the Kings and Queens, in Luxor, a classic stop on a Nile cruise.
• The city of Aswan itself, with its Nubian market, islands and High Dam.

Frequently Asked Questions

Organize Your Trip

Philae temple naturally integrates into an itinerary that includes Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Abu Simbel, often traveled by Nile cruise. To plan your complete travel itinerary in Égypte, consult our bespoke trips to Égypte.