egypt |
|||
Aswan – Kom Ombo |
|||
|
Before departing Aswan , there ’ s time to tour Philae ’ s Temple of Isis , renowned as one of the best examples of classical pharaonic temple design . Dedicated to the worship of the goddess Isis , this was one of the final seats of Ancient Egypt ’ s religion , which was supplanted by Christianity around 550 CE . The temple , now relocated to Agilkia Island , is accessed by a short motorboat ride . The Nubian village on neighbouring Heissa Island is a fascinating last stop , with plenty of the houses still decorated with bold geometric designs in primary colours , and traditional talismans to ward off the evil eye .
Travelling downriver ( north ), cruisers should make sure to be on deck for the dramatic approach to Kom Ombo , when
|
the temple ’ s grand colonnade of papyrus columns appears as the ship rounds the riverbend . Kom Ombo was a cultcentre for the local crocodile god Sobek and the Temple of Kom Ombo ( built between 180 BCE and 47 BCE ) is jointly dedicated to Sobek and Haroeris ( Horus the Elder ). The temple ’ s priests raised sacred crocodiles here and many of these crocodiles ’ mummified remains are exhibited at Kom Ombo ’ s Crocodile Museum . The temple ’ s two most fascinating features are its dual dedication , which means the interior is split into two symmetrical sides , and the famous wall-relief depicting surgical instruments , found in the temple ’ s narrow outer passageway . |
With its hypostyle halls studded with Hathorheaded columns and ceilings awash with lavish blue-hued scenes , Dendera ’ s Temple of Hathor is a remarkable surviving testament to the spectacular artistic achievements of Ancient Egypt |
images : awl images ; alamy |
62 • pos t c a rds |