Philae Island Aswan

The Philae Island of Aswan is the most obvious destinations that every tour across Egypt is destined to take you to. Though in reality the Philae Island of Aswan is non-existent Island that rests in great peace below the lake Nasser, it is occasionally visible before the high dam of Aswan was built. So Philae Island of Aswan in present days stands for only the temple that has been relocated from the island after the construction of the dam.

The new site of the temple is the island of Agilika that was the center of goddess Isis. The Philae Island of Aswan reminds the famous legend how Isis found Osiris who was killed by his brother. The temple was in fact dedicated to Isis who was the patroness of Ptolemaic rule.

The beautiful temple complex of Philae is located in a small island that lies on the south of Aswan. The word Philae or ‘Pilak’ in ancient Egyptian means ‘the end’. The word literally signifies the southern most limit of Egypt.

The temple complex had its initiation in the days of Ptolemy II. But it was later complete by the roman emperors. The temple was named after the Philae who was the last bastion of the ancient Egyptian religion and hieroglyphic terms.

The great temple that was almost lost in the 1960s when the high dam of Aswan was constructed. When this became gradual concern to the concerned authorities attempts to rescue the historic site was realized in greater terms. So finally the joint operation that was supervised by the Egypt government and UNESCO finally restored this great historic work that has managed to withstand the ravages of time.

After the Philae monuments were rebuilt a copper dam was built around to pump the water outside. The work which began in 1972 was completed in 1980. The new site that was rebuilt in a new manner was designed in parity with the old structure. Almost a total of 40, 000 blocks weighing 20,000 tones were shifted to the new site that was used for construction.