Kalabsha Temple Tour

Highlights / General details

The largest free-standing temple of Lower Nubia, the structure was built in the reign of the last Ptolemies and Augustus (though a temple may have stood on its site as early as New kingdom times) and dedicated to the Nubian god Horus-Mandulis and to Isis and Osiris.

On the banks of Lake Nasser lies Kalabsha Temple, an often overlooked jewel of Aswan. Your Egyptologist guide is waiting to take you on a private tour to the temple to help you unlock its secrets.

For two years from 1961, Kalabsha Temple was dismantled into 15,000 pieces and moved block by block to its current location on the banks of Lake Nasser. It was just one of 18 temples and monuments moved in order to preserve them from the rising Nile waters created by the construction of Aswan's High Dam. The temple which is dedicated to the Egyptian god Horus and the Nubian god Mandulis, was originally built just after the Ptolemy period, the era after Alexander the Great's death (323BC).

The facade of the temple is undecorated suggesting it was never finish by its original builder, the Roman emperor Octavius Augustus. Despite being unfinished, Kalabsha Temple is considered the most complete, and largest free-standing temple in Nubia. The inner walls feature Egyptian artwork including a carving of St George slaying a dragon and Coptic crosses, showing the influence of Christians who used the temple as a church during the Roman persecution. Another piece of artwork which is a feature of the temple is a carving declaring the prohibition of eating pork which is carved in Meroitic.

Inclusion

Entrance fees, Qualified Egyptologist guide, Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Hotel/port pickup and drop off.

Exclusion

Gratuities (optional), Food and drinks, unless specified.

Duration 3 hours (approx.).

Duration

3 hours (approx.).

Hours of operation Tour is available Daily and Departs 9:00am. (later departures are available until 1:00pm if required, please advise at time of booking). Hotel pickups commence prior to this time, exact pickup time will be advised on reconfirmation.

Location Aswan hotels or Port area. Returns to original departure point.

Location

Aswan hotels or Port area. Returns to original departure point.

Policies This tour require 2 passengers minimum in order to operate. Complete information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, will be included on your Confirmation Voucher.

All information requested must be supplied or booking is subject to automatic cancellation