Kalabsha temple
The sandstone edifice was built by the Roman Emperor Octavius Augustus and dedicated to the god of fertility Mandulis.Kalabsha temple, originally built at Kalabsha (Talmis), was moved to its present location at New Kalabsha (Chellal) in 1970, together with other monuments from Nubia, including the Kiosk of Qertassi (Kertassi), and the nearby Beit al-Wali. Accessible by taxi or boat, depending on the water level, the sandstone edifice was built by the Roman Emperor Octavius Augustus (30 - 14 BC) and dedicated to the fertility and Nubian Solar deity known as Mandulis (Merwel who was the Nubian counterpart of Horus).

 

The courtyard just behind the pylon once had columns on three sides. At either end is a staircase that leads to the upper stories of the pylon and a good view of Lake Nasser. On the right screened wall separating the courtyard from the hypostyle hall is an inscription from Aurelius Besarion (about 249 AD), the governor of Ombos and Elephantine, decreeing the expulsion of swine from the town for religious purposes. On a column here is the text in King Kharamadoye which is one of the longest Meroitic inscriptions found to date. On an end wall is an inscription thought to be of the 5th century Nubian King, Silko, who conquered the fierce Nubian Blemmyes. Other scences on the on the screen walls include the King with Horus and Thoth. On the rear of the vestibule are scenes depicting a Ptolemaic king making offerings to Isis and Mandulis. Also, Amenhotep II, who founded the original temple (1450 to 1425 BC) upon which this one is built, is making offers of wine to Min and Mandulis.

 

Beyond the vestibule are three chambers, the pronaos (a chamber preceding the sanctuary) , the naos, or sanctuary where statues of gods were located, and the holy of holies , which is the innermost or secrete shrine. Various scenes within these chambers show the King surrounded by the goddesses of Upper and Lower Egypt, with Amun-Min and Ptah while receiving holy water from Thoth and Horus. In the naos and holy of holies, the king is making offerings to Osiris, Isis and Mandulis.

There is also a small chapel which can be reached from stairs in the first chamber which then descend from the roof into the chapel set inside the wall. As you leave the temple, be sure to note the rear wall with images of Mandulis with his vulture feathered cloak.

 

ABU SIMBEL TEMPLES (1)
Temple of Ramses II
The image of the main temple façade , with its four colossi and row of grinning baboons , is well - known worldwide, and its awesome impression is unmistakable. Meant to glorify the power of the god-paraoh,, this edifice dedicated to masculine prowess and military power . The rays of the sun still penetrate to the holy of holies, penetrating deep into the rock of the main temple on the same two days of the year :the 22nd of February, believed to be the king’s birthday and the 22nd of October , the date of his coronation .

 

Philae Temple
The temple , dedicated to the goddess lsis , was moved to a beautiful setting which has been landscaped to match its original site . Its various shrines and sanctuaries , which include a temple dedicated to Hathor , glorify all the deities associated with in the Isis and Osiris myth .

At night, enjoy the Sound and Light show , a magical experience as flood lit buildings are silhouetted against the volcanic rocks and the surrounding water.

Nubia
Nubia houses dozens of sites of archaeological interest - twenty four temples , including Dendour , Ellessiya , Amada and Wadi El-Sebowa .Some have been moved, most notably Philae , Kalabsha and Abu Simbel temples .

 

Abu Simbel Temple (2)
Temple of Nefertari
As with Ramses’ own temple, the cliff face was cut back to resemble sloping walls of a pylon. Six colossal standing figures 33 feet high , four of Ramses II and two of his wife Nefertari, were cut from the rock face, along with smaller figures of the royal family. An inscription over the entrance reads "Ramses II, he has made a temple, excavated in the mountain, of eternal workmanship, for the chief queen Nefertari, beloved of Mu, in Nubia, forever and ever, Nefertari for whose sake the very sun does shine."
The sanctuary is complete, though two spaces were left on its side walls for doors to rooms, which were never cut. The inner chamber contains a number of images associating the royal couple with the gods. On the rear wall Hathor is depicted in high relief as a cow emerging from the western mountain, with the king standing beneath her chin. Nefertari is shown repeatedly participating in the religion on an equal footing with the king. On the left wall, Nefertari is seen worshipping before Mut and Hathor, and on the right, Ramesses worships images of his deified self and his wife. When Greek mercenaries passed by in the 6th century BC the sand had already reached the knees of the statues. These ancient tourists left an inscription which reads "When King Psammetichus came to Elephantine, this was written by those who sailed with Psammetichus the son of Theolces, and they came beyond Kerkis as far as the river permits."