Discovering the great monuments of ancient Egypt brings home the realization that the legends told of the pharaohs are far from fiction. The treasures of Agilkia Island, south of Aswan, stand as a testament to this glorious past. Two civilizations met here. Egyptians and Romans gathered in peace.

The landscape it offers makes it one of Egypt's most sought-after tourist destinations. In high season, it can attract several thousand tourists per day.

History

In ancient Egypt, Agilkia Island harbored neither temple nor monument. Indeed, it likely would not have captured our interest had it not been for an unexpected turn of events.

The treasures of Agilkia had been erected by Egyptians and Romans on Philae, a neighboring island. But threatened by rising Nile waters, they were relocated to Agilkia by Egypt's Ministry of Culture, the Cairo archaeological services, and UNESCO. These institutions were so meticulous in their reproduction that they reshaped the shores of this new home to recreate the original form of Philae.

Agilkia Island Today

In its entirety, the shores of Agilkia were remodeled to give it the shape of a bird. The island's banks are simply magnificent, alternating between verdant vegetation and desert landscapes. One can easily project oneself into the age of the pharaohs and imagine the splendor of ancient Egypt with its oases and immense monuments. The great religions of antiquity left their mark here, from the worship of Egyptian gods to Christianity, passing through the veneration of Roman and Nubian deities.

All boats to the site dock at the landing stage on the island's southern shore. Beginning exploration to the west, on the left, you can discover the remains of an ancient chapel dedicated to the Nubian god Mandulis, and further on, that of Imhotep.

Following the traces of ancient peoples, one discovers a row of columns leading to a great wall adorned with sculptures representing the ancient Egyptian gods. This is the first pylon leading to the courtyard of the mythic Temple of Isis, the Egyptian queen elevated to divine status. The bas-reliefs adorning the site give it a solemn aspect, reflecting the worship rendered by pilgrims of that era.

Opposite the great queen's temple, the Romans had also arranged a chapel to honor their gods.

The cultural richness of Agilkia Island is impressive. It reveals itself through the various places of worship found here and the stories they hold. One can notably admire the remains of the temples of Horus, Augustus, that of Hathor, and the Kiosk of Trajan.

What to Do on Agilkia Island?

A boat tour around the island remains an unforgettable experience. Gazing at its shores transports explorers backward to an ancient Egypt that seems never to have vanished. One can see the Temple of Queen Isis from afar, as well as the two nilometers that once served to measure the level of the Nile.

After docking at the landing stage, discovering the island and its treasures amazes visitors in search of the mysteries of the past. And Queen Isis seems to continue living through the sculptures and temple dedicated to her.

As night falls, the famous sound and light show of Agilkia Island is breathtaking. The projection of multicolored beams brings the entire site back to the age of the pharaohs. And the works of art seem to come to life.

Climate

It is always preferable to visit Agilkia Island and its surroundings in winter to avoid the scorching temperatures of summer. Around Aswan, they can indeed vary between 23°C in January and 50°C around July.

From January to March, the heat is milder and rainfall is rare. The heat also becomes gentler at year's end, from November to December.

The city of Aswan offers fine hotels where to stay and various sites to discover such as the unfinished obelisk, the Nubia Museum, or the Coptic Cathedral. To reach Agilkia from there, you will first need to take the road toward the old Aswan Dam, a masterpiece of Egyptian architecture built in the early twentieth century. From there, small boats can be rented to navigate peacefully toward Agilkia Island.

This discovery can also be part of a leisurely river cruise on the Nile.