Temple of Wadi El Sebou

The Temple of Wadi El Sebou 

Wadi El Sebou Temple is situated around 150 kilometers south of the Aswan Dam on the western bank of the Nile and was formerly a part of ancient Nubia. In the 1960s, this temple was relocated a few kilometers away from its original location. Pharaoh Ramesses II ordered its construction, and it is now regarded as the second-largest temple complex in ancient Nubia, behind the Great Sphinx.

The name “Valley of the Lions” is derived from the avenue of sphinxes that leads to the temple, which was constructed during the era of Ramesses II and referred to as such in Arabic. Even though it was just relocated from its original location in the 1960s, it was quickly abandoned and forgotten.

Later, in the 1990s, when Lake Nasser was partly covered in sand, it re-emerged as a popular tourist destination, thanks to the introduction of cruises over the lake. The purposefully “scruffy” appearance of the building, along with the desolation of the setting, was intended to give guests the impression that they were making a type of first discovery when they arrived. The outside structure of the piece is made of stone blocks, while the inner sanctuary was constructed by sculpting the rocky substratum of the site.

The original front part of the temple has not survived, but the second one leads to a courtyard decorated with statues of Ramesses II and III, which opens up to reveal a second inner courtyard resting on columns decorated with the remains of the images of Ramesses and Osiris. The original back part of the temple has not survived, but the second one leads to a courtyard decorated with statues of Ramesses II and III, which opens up to reveal a second inner courtyard resting on columns decorated with the remains of

The hypostyle chamber and the inner sanctuary, which are located after these courts, were excavated into the bedrock by the ancients. The Temple of Dakka, which was constructed during the Ptolemaic era in the 3rd century BC, is located close to Wadi el Sebua.

This location is of particular significance because of the massive pylon, which is still in outstanding condition despite its age. You may trek to the top of the hill to take in the breathtaking view of the lake meeting the desert.