PHILAE, EGYPT

Philae (Greek: Φιλαί, Philai; Ancient Egyptian: Pilak, P'aaleq) is an island in Lake Nasser, Nubia. It was formerly an island in the First Cataract of the Nile River and the previous site of an Ancient Egyptian temple complex in southern Egypt. The complex was dismantled and relocated to nearby Agilkia Island during a UNESCO project started because of the construction of the Aswan Dam, after the site was partly flooded by the earlier Aswan Low Dam for half a century.


Monuments of various eras, extending from the Pharaohs to the Caesars, occupy nearly the whole area of Philae. The principal structures, however, lie at the south end of the smaller island. The most ancient were the remains of a temple for Isis built in the reign of Nectanebo I during 380-362 BC, was approached from the river through a double colonnade. For the most part, the other ruins date from the Ptolemaic times, more especially with the reigns of Ptolemy Philadelphus, Ptolemy Epiphanes, and Ptolemy Philometor (282-145 BC), with many traces of Roman work in Philae dedicated to Ammon-Osiris.


The island is reached by boat and visitors can wander around and admire the temples inside and out. No visit to Egypt is complete without visting this amazing site.


This post is part of the Our World Tuesday meme
the Watery Wednesday meme
and the Outdoor Wednesday meme.

A constant stream of boats brings tourists to Philae

A boat approaching the island

Approaching the temple by boat

Temple of Isis courtyard

Temple of Isis Exterior

Bas relief inside the temple with Isis in the centre (the horned moon on her headdress)

Trajan's Kiosk of Philae