The temple's dimensions are 22 meters wide and 76 meters long. There are many inscriptions on the wall that display the names of many pharaohs and emperors surrounded by gods and goddesses.
There is a spectacular stone sidewalk from the lake to the first pylon, followed by the colonnaded court and a Hypostyle Hall with eight columns (they were originally fourteen).
The temple has a sanctuary with three chambers, one of them with stairs that lead up to the roof with a beautiful view of the Lake Nasser.
On the south of the temple visitors will also find a well-preserved Nilemeter. These meters were very useful in ancient times to calculate the rise of Nile's annual flood, that could bring many problems to the population in case there was not enough water to irrigate the plantations, leading the country to periods of hunger.
In the surrounding area of the Temple of Kalabsha
If you wish to explore the area, behind the Temple of Kalabsha there is a chapel. It is small and only the door-way of the chamber is decorated, but it has hieroglyphs of a king yet-to-be-discovered offering to Nubian Gods.
Another chapel is located to the northeast, dated from the reign of Ptolemy IX. It was not finished, therefore the exterior remains without decoration. Yet entering the chapel you will find representations of various gods and goddesses, such as Isis, Osiris, Horus, Mandulis, Khum, and others.
On the same island, you might want to visit Gerf Hussein and Beit el-Wali, temples dedicated to Ramses II. The first was also was saved from the waters and reconstructed, and the second has very interesting and colourful paintings.
Last but not least, the Kiosk of Qertassi is an elegant monument in Roman style with 6 columns.
Where is the Temple of Kalabsha located?
The new site is south of the High Dam on the west bank of Lake Nasser, in Aswan.
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