Located on the banks of the Nile in the city of Kom Ombo, this temple is quite unusual in appearance and decoration for Egyptian architecture. This may be because it was built during the Ptolemaic period, that is, after the arrival of Alexander the Great and when Egyptian culture merged with the Egyptian one.
Temple Of Kom Ombo, is a place of worship built during the rule of the Ptolemaic dynasty. It stands on Kom Ombo, overlooking the bend of the river Nile, on the site of a former place of worship.
It was initially built by Pharaoh Ptolemy VI at the beginning of his reign and then enlarged by his successors, including in particular Ptolemy XII. Its structure consists of two buildings perfectly symmetrical to each other concerning the main axis the left sanctuary is dedicated to the god Haroeris (the falcon god Horus), while the right one is dedicated to the god Sobek, or the crocodile god.
The Temple of Kom Ombo was built between 180 BC and 47 BC, although some expansions were made later during the Roman invasion. Its peculiarity lies in its dual design, as it contains duplicate entrances, rooms, courtyards and sanctuaries to house the two gods to whom its construction was dedicated: Sobek, a god with a crocodile head and a human body, who was the Ptolemaic god of fertility and creator of the world; and Horus, the god of kingship in the sky, hunting and war, son of Isis and Osiris, represented by the head of a falcon.
Located 40 km north of Aswan, on a rocky promontory in the bend of the Nile River, it is named after the ancient Egyptian site of Ambos, which is derived from the ancient Egyptian word Nubet, meaning gold. This does not mean that there was gold in this place, but it was an important strategic point for ancient Egypt, as from this city it was possible to control the trade caravan routes heading to Nubia via the Nile Valley.
The Temple of Kom Ombo was not only dedicated to the worship of the gods and a place of prayer. It was also used to teach the art of mummification and various medical techniques. Although most of the original structure of the temple was destroyed by successive Nile floods and looting, some paintings are preserved in good condition on its walls and testify that this site was not only a place of prayer, but also a place to learn how to pray. heal the sick and mummify the dead. In one of the paintings you can see the various surgical instruments used by doctors.
The present temple was begun by Ptolemy VI Philometor (180-145 BC) early in his reign and was modified by other Ptolemies, especially Ptolemy XIII Theos Philopator (51-47 BC).
The entrance, on the east side, is decorated instead by three papyrus-shaped columns that delimit two different entrances, both decorated with the winged solar disc, in homage to the double dedication of the sanctuary. The geat then leads directly to the hypostyle atrium, a closed space in which the roof is supported by ten columns smaller than the more majestic ones of the entrance, but decorated in the same way.
The walls are also decorated here with bas-reliefs, including two particularly refined and composite ones, both celebrating Pharaoh Ptolemy XII.
Temple visits are part of the Nile cruise route, if you take a cruise from Luxor, Kom Ombo Temple will be one of the last stops before reaching Aswan.
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To be exact, the bas-relief placed in the area consecrated to Sobek depicts the pharaoh Ptolemy XII Auletes while he is crowned by two women with the crowns of Upper and Lower Egypt, in the presence of the god Sobek and his companion, while the one placed in the area consecrated to the god Horus, always depicts the pharaoh, but in the act of receiving from the other gods the sacred Ankh, that is the ancient Egyptian symbol that essentially symbolizes life and that sanctions its equality with them, all in the presence of the god Horus.
In addition, three poorly preserved vestibules precede the double sanctuary of Horus and Sobek and a collection of crocodile mummies is also on display here. A double wall encloses the entire building, creating an external courtyard decorated with scenes of worship and priestly ceremonies. One of the most interesting bas-reliefs of this part of the temple is the one representing various surgical instruments, even if scholars are not all of the same opinions.
In the same bas-relief are also represented two pregnant women sitting on a chair the temple was the destination of many faithful who came to ask for divine intercession against the infirmity.
The courtyard outside is also depicted a false door at the back precisely coinciding with the point of intersection between the two wings of the temple. Much of the temple was unfortunately destroyed by the Nile, earthquakes and subsequent builders who used the building as a quarry.
Finally, some interior reliefs were defaced when the temple was transformed into a Coptic Orthodox church.
Usually, tourists come here by cruising the Nile River, although you can take a private car A/C from Aswan or Luxor.
However, it is only by coming from the Nile River, on the Egypt Nile cruise that you will find yourself in front of a wonderful sight.
In fact, if you are a fan of history and ancient Egyptian civilization, you should visit Egypt and spend your vacation in Luxor, as it is the city of history and civilization, because you will discover a lot about the civilization of the ancient Egyptians and how their lives were in building temples, especially the Temple Of Kom Ombo, one of the largest temples.
