The Temple of Philae

Discover Philae Temples: The Eternal Sanctuary of Goddess Isis

Nestled on the tranquil island of Agilkia near Aswan, the Philae Temples are a timeless symbol of devotion, mystery, and architectural brilliance. Originally located on the sacred island of Philae, these temples were painstakingly relocated during UNESCO’s Nubia Campaign in the 1960s to save them from the rising waters of the Nile caused by the construction of the High Dam. Today, they continue to enchant visitors from all over the world with their beauty and rich history.

A Temple Born in the Ptolemaic Era

The heart of Philae is the grand Temple of Isis, one of the most important and best-preserved temples from the Greco-Roman period in Egypt. Construction began under Ptolemy II Philadelphus (285–246 BC), and the temple was dedicated to Isis, the beloved goddess of motherhood, magic, and healing — and the divine mother of Horus, the god of kingship.

One of the most touching and sacred scenes can be found in the Mammisi, or Birth House, where Isis is shown nursing baby Horus among the papyrus marshes. This imagery celebrates the divine birth of the god who would one day avenge his father Osiris and rule the land of Egypt.

A Temple That Defied Time

The Temple of Isis remained active for centuries — longer than most other ancient Egyptian temples. It wasn’t until the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I (527–565 AD) that the temple’s religious function came to an end. He ordered the closure of all pagan temples across the empire. Still, the legacy of Philae endured: in 394 AD, a priest named Esmet-Akhom carved the last known hieroglyphic inscription in history on its walls.

Later, the temple was converted into a Christian church, and many of its original carvings were deliberately defaced  a silent yet powerful testimony to the cultural shifts that reshaped Egypt through the ages.

More Than Just One Temple

Philae is not only home to the Temple of Isis. Right beside it stands a smaller temple dedicated to the goddess Hathor, built by Ptolemy VI Philometor (180–145 BC) and completed by Augustus, the first Roman Emperor (30 BC – 14 AD).

Another highlight of the island is Trajan’s Kiosk, a beautiful columned structure built between 98–117 AD. Although its roof has not survived, the elegant symmetry and majestic pillars of this open-air pavilion have captured the imaginations of travelers for centuries. It was once a ceremonial gateway where emperors would offer gifts to the gods — particularly to Isis, who remained the region’s most venerated deity.

A Sacred Island Resurrected

The temples of Philae were almost lost forever beneath the waters of the Nile. But thanks to a massive international rescue effort, they were moved stone by stone to the nearby Agilkia Island  preserving their stories for future generations.

Today, as you step onto the island and walk between its ancient columns, you’re not just visiting a monument. You’re stepping into a living legend  a place where gods were born, empires rose and fell, and the spirit of Isis still whispers through the sandstone walls.