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Aswan is one of the most beautiful places for relaxation and sightseeing, it owns many islands and natural preservation of distinctive plants and bird species, in addition to the Nubian Village and culture. On a little island among other ones, Philae island owns the last sacred temples of Ancient Egyptian architecture wealth where Pharaohs, Greco-romans and Christians left behind traces the walls of philae temple, unfortunately this island is lost underwater now. Philae Temple is called after the lost island, but where on earth would the temple go? Did it survive under water?
Philae is an island named after Greek word Pilak that doesn’t exist anymore after the High Dam was built and is totally submerged under water. But originally Philae Temple was dedicated to goddess Isis and Osiris, a Victorian love story myth of the temple, in which you can hear its sound and light show at night on the water reflection of the island. There are two huge pylons depicting their story. But the temple was moved and is istuated now on Agilika island in Aswan.
Surprisingly, Philae Temple sruvived 40 years of being submerged under water and was removed, divided and reassembled back on Agilika island, 550 meters away from Philae island where it originally belonged. It was a whole restoration project that intended to save the temple from submerging in water after building the High Dam of Aswan. Absolutely, in the eyes of everyone, was quite a successful RESCUE project in cooperation with Egyptian government and UNESCO to re-establish Philae complex again on safe grounds as sacred monuments in 1960.
Philae temple hosts the cult of goddess Isis, Osiris and Horus during the Ptolemaic period that goes back to the 30th Dynasty in Ancient Egyptian history and the last, although some of other gods were worshipped and they go back to 25 Dynasty, it was a highly classified temple where pilgrims came from all over the Mediterranean yet restricted to the common from presenting their sacrifices there, only priests and servants of the temple were to inhabit the temple.
Until Justinian, the Byzantine emperor shut down the temple’s paganism in 6th century, where Christianity ruled at the time, worshipping gods and paganism remained for 4,000 years.
The only transportation you can get to visit Philae Temple is sailing on small boats to the island, which is one of the greatest rides you’ll ever get through the mirage nature of small islands and monuments. Its a great sightseeing experience where you can look into ancient history and enjoy simple nature surrounding those monuments. Go to Gallery...
Born and raised at the coast of Alexandria, Karen has recently moved to Cairo pursuing her career as Mitch Designs' Public Relations Manager, and Egyptolution's own Project Manager. Karen is interested in Journalism & Broadcasting. She is an undergrad student at the Cairo campus of University of Ottawa, Canada. Also, Karen's ultimate adoration to Music and singing had taken her to Cairo Opera House, where she studies and undergoes hardcore voice lessons.
Travel is not enjoyable unless you get to really taste and feel the traditional oriental local experiences of people and...
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