Temple of Kalabsha

The Temple of Kalabsha is a Greco-roman one that initially stood at Bab al-Kalabsha, ancient Egyptian Talmis. This temple lies 56 km south of the city of Aswan, Aswan governorate. Historically, the ancient Egyptians dedicated this temple to Isis, Osiris and Horus-Mandulis, the Roman aspect of the Nubian solar god, Merul. They call it “The Temple of Mandulis”, as well. Kalabsha is the finest example of a freestanding temple in Nubia after the Temples of Abu Simbel.

Location of the Temple of Kalabsha

The Temple of Kalabsha stands within view of the High Dam. It was moved to this spot from its original location 30 miles to the south after constructing the dam. Kalabsha Temple is often the first stop for any cruise on Lake Nasser, Aswan Governorate.

History

The Romans constructed the temple of Kalabsha over an earlier sanctuary of Amenhotep II. This temple exists on the west bank of the Nile River in Nubia. Besides, the Romans originally built the present temple around 30 BC during the early Roman era. Although Augustus started the construction of this temple during his reign, it remained unfinished.

After building the Aswan High Dam, there was a need to relocate the Kalabsha temple to another safe place. Of course, the rising waters on Lake Nasser were about to float it completely. Accordingly, they relocated the temple to the south of the Aswan High Dam. To migrate it to this safe place, the German engineers cut it first into 13,000 blocks. Then, they reassembled here in 1970. The process of moving the temple took more than two years.