Kalabsha

We take a motor boat to Kalabsha. Like Philae, this temple and its surrounding ruins were moved by UNESCO to save them from the floodwaters of Lake Nasser. The main temple was built to the Nubian fertility and sun god Marul (Mandulis) during the rule of Emperor Augustus (earlier temples had been built on the site and we can see some of their ruins re-erected on Elephantine Island).

Other structures we will visit in the area of 'New' Kalabsha include: the Kiosk of Qirtasi; the amazing Temple of Beit al-Wali built by Ramesses II (which includes scenes of the pharaoh and his sons campaigning in Nubia, and the tribute which the local tribes bring to pharaoh); and the newly re-erected Temple from Girf Husayn built by Setau, the Viceroy of Kush, for Ramsses II.

The Kalabsha complex is rarely visited by tourists and on past tours we have been lucky enough to have had the whole site completely to ourselves!

Kiosk of Qirtasi, Kalabsha