The Temple of Philae

The Temple of Philae. 

Continuing our series about sites and places you will visit on your Nile Cruise Itinerary today I’d like to tell you more about The Temple of Philae.

Aswan is one of the prettiest cities in Egypt, situated where the Nile narrows between golden sand dunes and rugged granite boulders.

From Aswan you’ll be able to enjoy excursions to the Temple of Philae , the high dam, the unfinished obelisk and the Nubian Museum as well as the Elephantine & Kitchener islands.

As you sail into Aswan you will see one of the most attractive hardbours of your trip. The view ahead of you will include other cruise ships, feluccas, dahabiyyas andon the western bank across from Aswan you’ll see  the tombs of the Nobles high up in its caves. It really is a memorable sight.

The Tepmle of Philae, which was a centre of worship for the goddess Isis, the mother of Horus, was dismanted and re-built by UNESCO over 30 years ago when it was realised that the building of The High Dam would eventually flood and submerge Philae is land.

Now situated on Agilikia Island, just south of Aswan, you will reach it via a short felluca ride. You will also normally have the opportunity to visit Kitchener’s Island, famous for it’s botanical gardens and birdlife, which cover the entire island. Consisiting of rare and exotic plants collected and established by Lord Kitchener the island is popular with local people as an escape from the noise and bustel of Aswan.

During your stay in Aswan you will also have the opportunity to visit the Unfinished Obelisk which is the largest known ancient obelisk, nearly one third larger than any other Egyptian obelisk.

You will also probably visit the High Dam, possibly Egypt’s most important achievement of the  last century.

Work on the High Dam began on the 9th January 1960 and was completed and opened in the spring of 1971. It is 111m tall, 3.5Km in length and about 1Km wide! It has a Hydro-electric plant, with 6 turbines, capable of producing 2.1 million kilowatts.

The High Dam provides Egypt with water and electricity, and it’s construction protected the country from the risk of the flooding of the River Nile.

Because of it’s contruction Lake Nasser was formed. The Lake, which is about 10 km wide and 500km long runs between Egypt and The Sudan  and is the worlds largest man-made lake.

Because raising the water caused the damage, and loss, of so many of the Nubian monuments, great efforts were made by the Egyptian Government, aided by UNESCO and other countries, to save the Abu Simbel, which next to the Pyramids of Giza, is perhaps the most recognized monument of ancient Egypt.

You will get the opportunity to visit Abu Simbel on your Nile cruise, normally as an optional excursion.

 

But more of that in another post.