Historic Temples & Monasteries

This collection showcases the diverse religious history of Upper Nubia, featuring sites from the Pharaonic, Greco-Roman, and Coptic eras. The list includes the Greco-Roman Temple of Dakka, dedicated to Thoth, and the Temple of Maharraqa, honoring Isis and Serapis. It also features the massive Kalabsha Temple and the 7th-century Saint Simeon Monastery, a fortified structure that once served as a defensive stronghold. These landmarks, many of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites, illustrate the architectural evolution from ancient Egyptian polytheism to early Christianity.

Saint Simeon Monastery

A monumental monastery that served as a fortress when resisting to Islam conquest. Its fortification walls seem impressive even today.

Maharraqa

Temple of Al-Maharraqa is an ancient Egyptian Temple dedicated to Isis and Serapis.

Ed Dakka Temple

Ad-Dakka was a place in Lower Nubia. It is the site of the Greco-Roman Temple of Dakka, dedicated to Thoth, the god of wisdom in the ancient…

Kalabsha Temple

The Temple of Kalabsha is an ancient Egyptian temple that was originally located at Bab al-Kalabsha, approximately 50 km south of Aswan.In…

Re & Thot Temple

A UNESCO World Heritage site that functioned as both an ancient Egyptian temple and a later Coptic church. It forms part of the archaeological complex relocated to New Wadi es-Sebua to protect it from the rising waters of Lake Nasser.