{"id":4748,"date":"2017-01-26T02:39:43","date_gmt":"2017-01-25T22:39:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/?p=4748\/"},"modified":"2025-11-07T20:28:51","modified_gmt":"2025-11-07T18:28:51","slug":"kalabsha-temple-egypt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/kalabsha-temple-egypt\/","title":{"rendered":"How to get to Kalabsha: The least visited great temple in Egypt"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Kalabsha<\/picture><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Standing as the most off the beaten track great temple in Egypt and as the largest free-standing temple of Egyptian Nubia (after Abu Simbel), Kalabsha was built during the early Roman era, in 30 BC, for the worship of Mandulis<\/em>, a Lower Nubian sun god. Today, this magnificent temple is considered one of the greatest examples of Egyptian architecture in Nubia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember to also check my guide for traveling to Egypt (itinerary + tips)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember to get travel insurance for Kalabsha, Egypt<\/strong>
I strongly recommend IATI Insurance<\/a><\/strong> as it has COVID-19 coverage + 5% discount
5% discount if purchasing via this link<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kalabsha: the most off the beaten track temple in Egypt<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Kalabsha temple is located on an island in the middle of the Lake Nasser<\/a><\/strong>, next to the Aswan High Dam, and around 16 kilometers from Aswan. Nevertheless, it turns out that this temple is not situated where it stood originally. Due to the construction of the Aswan High Dam, the temple was relocated to protect it from the rising waters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Kalabsha<\/picture>
Kalabsha temple from a hill<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Can you imagine moving a whole temple to an island? It was possible thanks to the Germans and it took more than two years to move it completely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Besides the temple, there are other structures and remains that were also relocated to the same island:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gerf Hussein<\/strong> – A temple dedicated to Ramesses II that had to be reconstructed, since an important part of it was submerged beneath the waters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beit el-Wali<\/strong> – Also dedicated to Ramesses II, this temple contains super interesting and colorful paintings, perfectly restored thanks to a Polish archaeological team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kiosk of Qertassi<\/strong> – A beautiful and elegant Roman kiosk with 6 columns (4 inside and 2 at the entrance)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Kiosk<\/picture>
The kiosk of Qertassi<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"The<\/picture>
Beit el-Wali<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"An<\/picture>
An Egyptian painting of a person murdering another. WTF?<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How to get to Kalabsha on your own?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First of all, I believe you would like to know the exact location, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n