Location: Map
Agilkia Island, also spelled Agilika, is a small island located in the reservoir of the Old Aswan Dam along the Nile River in southern Egypt. Its name derives from the Old Nubian word "agil," meaning "mouth." The island gained prominence as the new home for the ancient Philae temple complex, which was meticulously relocated there in the 1970s to save it from flooding caused by the construction of the Aswan High Dam. Today, it stands as a testament to ancient Egyptian engineering, religious devotion, and modern preservation efforts, attracting tourists and historians alike.
Situated approximately 12 kilometers (7.4 miles) south of Aswan in the Aswan Governorate, Agilkia Island lies at coordinates 24°01′31″N 32°53′03″E. It is part of the Nile River's expansive reservoir system, surrounded by rocky outcrops and the blue waters of Lake Nasser. The island itself was modified during the temple relocation project: its top was leveled and reshaped to mimic the original contours of Philae Island, creating a 20-meter (66-foot) high pedestal-like structure that elevates the temples above water level. This engineering feat involved removing significant portions of the island's natural rock to ensure the site's stability and aesthetic continuity. The surrounding area features some vegetation, large boulders, and clear views of the Nile, making it a picturesque spot amid the arid Egyptian landscape.
Ancient Origins and Mythological Significance
The history of
Agilkia Island is deeply intertwined with that of the Philae temple
complex, as Agilkia itself has little independent historical record
prior to the 20th century. Originally, the temples stood on Philae
Island, a small rocky outcrop in the Nile River near Aswan, Egypt,
measuring about 380 meters by 120 meters and composed of syenite stone.
Known in ancient Egyptian as "p3-jw-rķ'" or "pA-jw-rq," meaning
"boundary," Philae served as a southern frontier point and a vital
center for trade, pilgrimage, and granite quarrying between Meroë and
Memphis. Mythologically, it was revered as the burial site of Osiris,
the god of the afterlife, whose dismembered body was protected by his
wife Isis, the goddess of magic and motherhood. This association made
Philae the "Island of Isis," a sacred sanctuary where rituals depicted
the Osiris myth, including processions and symbolic imagery in temple
reliefs, emphasizing themes of resurrection and fertility.
The
earliest structures on Philae date back to the 25th Dynasty (circa 8th
century BCE), with reused blocks from a possible shrine to Amun built by
Pharaoh Taharqa. The first confirmed temple was a small kiosk dedicated
to Isis by Psamtik II of the 26th Dynasty in the 6th century BCE,
followed by additions from Amasis II. Significant expansion occurred
under Nectanebo I of the 30th Dynasty (380–362 BCE), who added a double
colonnade and a gateway later incorporated into the temple's first
pylon. The bulk of the surviving complex, however, was constructed
during the Ptolemaic Kingdom (305–30 BCE), blending Egyptian traditions
with Hellenistic influences.
Ptolemaic and Roman Expansions
Under Ptolemy II Philadelphus (282–246 BCE), the temple saw major
developments, including propyla, colossal granite lions, and obelisks
standing 13 meters high. Ptolemy V Epiphanes and Ptolemy VI Philometor
(180–145 BCE) further expanded it with monolithic shrines for sacred
hawks and a mammisi (birth house) depicting the divine birth of Horus,
son of Isis and Osiris. Nubian kings like Arqamani and Adikhalamani
contributed during this era, adding to the Temple of Arensnuphis and
erecting stelae, reflecting cultural exchanges between Egypt and Nubia.
The Roman period (30 BCE–395 CE) brought additional layers, with
emperors from the Julio-Claudian dynasty to Caracalla inscribing
offerings and building structures like a triple arch under Diocletian in
the late 3rd century CE. Architecturally, the complex featured pyramidal
propyla, a dromos with masonry foundations on granite bedrock, columns
with palm, doum palm, and lotus capitals, and vividly painted ceilings
and walls. A smaller Temple of Hathor at the southern end included
twelve columns, while the main Isis temple housed an altar in the holy
of holies. Philae became a major pilgrimage site, attracting devotees
from Egypt, Nubia, Anatolia, Crete, and Greece, surpassing nearby
Elephantine as Upper Egypt's primary sanctuary. Votive inscriptions
(proskynemata) and festivals underscored its religious vitality,
including diplomatic missions like a Kushite delegation around 260–300
CE.
Historically, Philae served as a frontier garrison for pharaohs,
Greeks, and Romans. Petitions from priests to Ptolemy VIII Physcon
(170–117 BCE) complained of overcrowding, while Roman inscriptions date
from 116 BCE. Possible Nubian occupation under Hugronaphor occurred, and
in 298 CE, Rome ceded territory south of the cataract to the Nobades,
making Philae the border. The last Egyptian hieroglyphic inscription was
carved in 394 CE, and Demotic in 452 CE, marking the twilight of ancient
scripts.
Transition to Christianity and Decline
Christianity
began infiltrating Philae in the 4th century CE, coexisting with pagan
practices. Bishop Macedonius operated there early on, and by the mid-5th
century, five temples were converted into churches, including the Isis
temple rededicated to Saint Stephen. Two purpose-built churches were
added, reflecting the site's gradual Christianization. Traditional Isis
worship persisted into the 6th century, with a 567 CE petition warning
of pagan revival. In 537 CE, Byzantine commander Narses, under Emperor
Justinian I, officially closed the temples, arresting priests and
seizing statues for Constantinople, effectively ending organized ancient
Egyptian religion—though paganism likely faded by the 450s CE. Philae
thus stood as one of the last bastions of paganism in the Roman Empire.
Modern Threats: Flooding and the Aswan Dams
The 19th and 20th
centuries brought new perils. The construction of the Aswan Low Dam in
1902 caused seasonal flooding, submerging Philae nearly year-round and
eroding its structures despite reinforcements. The dam's height
increases in 1907–1912 and 1929–1934 worsened the damage, encrusting
bricks with silt and stripping away vegetation. The Aswan High Dam,
built from 1960 to 1970, posed an existential threat by creating Lake
Nasser, which would permanently inundate Philae.
The Relocation
to Agilkia Island
In response, UNESCO launched the International
Campaign to Save the Monuments of Nubia (1960–1980), initially
overlooking Philae but later including it as the "Pearl of the Nile."
From 1977 to 1980, the complex—comprising about 95 structures—was
documented via photogrammetry, dismantled into approximately 40,000
blocks weighing 2–25 tons each, cleaned, numbered, and transported 500
meters to nearby Agilkia Island. A cofferdam system of steel plates,
sand, and three interconnected dams created an artificial lake to drain
the site, allowing work to proceed.
Agilkia was chosen for its
similar landscape and reshaped—leveled and elevated 12.4 meters with
reinforced concrete foundations—to mimic Philae's original contours.
Italian firms Condotte Acqua and Mazzi Estero, supervised by Giovanni
Joppolo, handled the reconstruction alongside the Egyptian High Dam
Company, with landscaping to restore the site's aesthetic. Challenges
included racing against rising waters, preserving intricate carvings,
and maintaining historical integrity amid the complexity of such a
massive disassembly. The project, part of a broader effort saving over
20 Nubian monuments, cost millions and involved international experts,
culminating in UNESCO World Heritage designation in 1979.
Post-Relocation Legacy
Since its relocation, Agilkia Island has
become the steward of this ancient heritage, preserving the temples as a
UNESCO site and a major tourist attraction accessible by boat from
Aswan. The move symbolized global cooperation in cultural preservation,
inspiring modern endeavors like the European Space Agency's Rosetta
mission, where the Philae lander's intended comet landing site was named
"Agilkia" in 2014 to honor the engineering feat. Today, Agilkia stands
as a bridge between Egypt's pharaonic past and contemporary
conservation, ensuring the enduring story of Isis and Osiris remains
above the Nile's waters.
Agilkia Island's primary draw is the Philae Temple Complex, a UNESCO
World Heritage site dedicated mainly to Isis, the goddess of magic,
motherhood, and healing. The complex spans several structures, each rich
in hieroglyphs, reliefs, and historical layers:
Temple of Isis:
The centerpiece and oldest surviving structure, featuring intricate
carvings. It includes the First Pylon (18 meters/59 feet high), adorned
with reliefs of Ptolemy XII Neos Dionysos smiting enemies before gods
like Isis, Horus of Edfu, and Hathor. Beyond this is a courtyard with
colonnades leading to the Birth House (Mammisi), dedicated to Horus's
birth, with depictions of Isis nursing her falcon-headed son.
Second
Pylon and Inner Sanctuary: This leads to a hypostyle hall with eight
columns bearing Coptic crosses from its brief use as a Christian church.
The sanctuary once housed a golden statue of Isis (now in museums in
Paris and Florence) and features a 1799 French inscription from
Napoleon's campaign.
Other Structures:
Temple of Hathor: Smaller
temple with reliefs of musicians and Ptolemaic kings offering to the
goddess.
Gateway of Hadrian: Decorated with scenes of Roman emperors
Hadrian, Lucius Verus, and Marcus Aurelius making offerings.
Trajan's
Kiosk: An elegant, unfinished pavilion with 14 columns, often called the
"Pharaoh's Bed," used for processions.
Additional ruins include a
Christian monastery and two Coptic churches, highlighting the site's
transition from pagan to Christian use.
The island also has areas
of greenery and pathways for exploration, with the entire complex
oriented to capture dramatic views from the Nile.
Beyond its ancient roots, Agilkia Island inspired the naming of a landing site on comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko during the European Space Agency's Rosetta mission in 2014. The Philae lander (named after the original island) was intended to touch down at "Agilkia," symbolizing the connection between ancient exploration and modern space science. Although the lander bounced to a nearby site named Abydos, the choice underscores the island's enduring cultural impact.
Agilkia Island is a popular day-trip destination from Aswan,
accessible only by boat. Visitors typically depart from the Shellal dock
or Aswan's marina, with motorboat taxis (holding up to eight people)
costing around 175 Egyptian Pounds (EGP) for a round trip, taking about
10 minutes. Prices should be negotiated in advance. Entrance fees to the
temple complex are 100 EGP for adults and 50 EGP for students. An
evening sound and light show, featuring laser projections and
multilingual narration (English, French, German, Spanish), costs about
USD 19 and recreates the Pharaohs' era for an immersive experience.
Tips for visitors: The Upper Egyptian sun can be intense, so bring
sunscreen, a hat, and water. Approach the island from the east for the
best views of the west-facing facades. The site is wheelchair-accessible
in parts, but uneven terrain may pose challenges. Combine a visit with
nearby attractions like the Aswan High Dam or a Nile cruise for a fuller
experience.