Philae Temple Sound and Light Show (2024)

FAQs

Is Philae Temple worth it? ›

The temple is one of the monuments moved by UNESCO, inorder to avoid being submerged on account of lake Nasser and building of the High Dam. The temple is built during the Greco Roman period. It's worth visiting to understand the art form followed during that time and for the monument's scenic location.

The Philae Temple was built by the last dynasty of ancient Egypt, the Ptolemaic. It is dedicated to Isis, the goddess of healing, birth, and magic, her husband Osiris, and their son Horus. The temple is one of the last places where ancient Egyptian religion survived after Christianity swept the shores in 550AD.

Why was the Philae Temple destroyed? The Aswan Low Dam, which was completed on the Nile River in 1902, had the potential to submerge the temple in flood water. The height of the dam was raised twice, resulting in Philae Island almost always being flooded.

The first pylon was constructed by Ptolemy XII. It consists of two 60 foot towers with a gate between them. There are grooves cut into each side of the pylon to support flag poles.

When visiting the Philae Temple Complex, it is recommended to dress modestly and respectfully out of respect for the local culture and customs. Both men and women should avoid wearing revealing or excessively tight clothing, and clothing that covers the shoulders and knees is generally recommended.

Visit prices

The entrance fee, if you go on your own, is 100 EGP for adults and 50 EGP for accredited students. If you are interested in hiring the light and sound show you have to pay an additional 125 EGP.

According to the legend, Philae is the place where Isis found the heart of Osiris and then, buried it in a nearby island. Isis was an important figure in the ancient world because she was the enchantress, who resurrected Osiris and gave birth to their son Horus.

04Philae Temple was a center of worship for the goddess Isis. 05It was one of the last active pagan temples in Egypt. 06The temple was dedicated to other gods as well, including Osiris and Horus. 07Philae Temple has an annual celebration known as the “Procession of the Sacred Boat.”

Philae in British English

(ˈfaɪliː ) noun. an island in Upper Egypt, in the Nile north of the Aswan Dam: of religious importance in ancient times; almost submerged since the raising of the level of the dam.

Then every building was dismantled into about 40,000 units from 2 to 25 tons, and then transported to the nearby Island of Agilkia, situated on higher ground some 500 metres (1,600 ft) away. The transfer itself took place between 1977 and 1980.

Who are the gods in the Temple of Philae? ›

Built during the reign of Ptolemy II (Egypt's Greco-Roman Period), the Temple of Isis at Philae is dedicated to Isis, Osiris, and Horus. The temple walls contain scenes from Egyptian mythology of Isis bringing Osiris back to life, giving birth to Horus, and mummifying Osiris after his death.

The monuments of Philae include many structures dating predominantly to the Ptolemaic Period (332–30 BC). The most prominent of these is a temple begun by Ptolemy II Philadelphus (285–246 BC), which he dedicated to Isis, the mother of Horus, the god of kingship.

An obelisk (/ˈɒbəlɪsk/; from Ancient Greek: ὀβελίσκος obeliskos; diminutive of ὀβελός obelos, "spit, nail, pointed pillar") is a tall, four-sided, narrow tapering monument which ends in a pyramid-like shape or pyramidion at the top.

The last known hieroglyphic inscription in Egypt dates from 394 C.E. (late Roman period) and is seen here in this image from Philae Temple. Vertical lines border and divide the two columns of hieroglyphs which relate a royal decree. The hieroglyphs are crude in execution but are clear enough to read.

The sanctuary contained the shrine that housed the deity's statue. This was the darkest, most enclosed part of the temple, with the highest floor level. These conditions protected the god's statue while also recreating the mound of creation, on which the temple's god or goddess now stands.

Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple are amazing and well worth several hours of your time. For those who want to dive deeper into Egyptian history, add the Luxor Museum and the Mummification Museum to your to-do list.

During the time of its creation, temples were often built as a place of worship and were dedicated to certain Egyptian gods. The Luxor Temple, in part, was dedicated to the god Amun-Ra, but it was also built as a place where pharaohs could be crowned and re-birthed.

Karnak Temple will take you about 2 hours and Luxor Temple 1 hour so it is ideal to slot these into your arrival or departure days if you are arriving or departing around mid-day. Karnak Temple ticket office closes at 4 or 4.30pm, depending on time of the year.

| Artifacts are simply placed everywhere. 📝 The Egyptian National Museum is one of the must-visit attractions in Cairo. As the most famous museum in Egypt, it displays countless artifacts spanning from the ancient Egyptian to the Roman period.