Philae Travel Guide

The Nile island of Philae with its luxuriant vegetation and lovely flowers as well as its magnificent temples was once the “pearl of Egypt”.

Since the construction of the Aswan High Dam, it has sunk into the floods of the Nile, but a spectacular project saved the most important historical monuments and rebuilt them on the more elevated neighbouring island of Agilkia. legendThe name “Philae” derives from the ancient Egyptian name Pi-lak, which the Greeks changed into Philai, and the Arabs into Bilak. The natives gave the island the name El-Qasr (the castle) or Gesiret Anas el-Wogud. According to a fairytale from the Arabian Nights, a hero is said to have traced his bride, who had been taken away from him, to the island castle with the miraculous aid of crocodiles and birds. But since his lover, in her longing for him, had just left the island, he was only united with her after overcoming further challenges.HistoryThe oldest temples which still exist are from the time of Nektanebos I (about 370 BC, but it seems fairly certain that there were holy sites here much earlier, since the ancient Egyptians believed this to be the source of the Nile.
Until the construction of the Aswan High Dam, the island was regarded as one of the most beautiful places in Egypt. However, it lost much of its attraction when the floods of the Nile covered the island for most of the year. Only in late summer and fall were all temples still accessible; during the rest of the year, they were largely under water. With the construction of the Aswan High Dam, they were in danger of becoming completely submerged.Rescue through UNESCOIn the rescue action which UNESCO initiated for the Nubian monuments, the island of Philae was surrounded by sheet piling from 1972 to 1980, and dried. At the same time, the terrain on the adjacent island of Agilkia was prepared to receive the buildings. The temples were divided into numbered blocks, transported to Agilkia and rebuilt there. Due to the insertion of binding agents which were not originally used, the temples are 30cm/1ft higher today than they were before. The grey discoloration at the base of the walls and columns is a reminder of the height to which the structures were already immersed, and the Isis sanctuary has lost nearly all its colourful ornamentation.Viewing timesThe temples of Philae on the island of Agilkia are open to visitors in summer from 7am to 5pm, and in winter from 7am to 4pm. Boats regularly travel to the small island.

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