Overview:

The Temple of Sobek and Haroeris in Kom Ombo is a temple located in Aswan Governorate, Egypt, near the River Nile. The temple was once dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek, combined with the falcon god Haroeris. This is a unique temple in Egypt and the only one with two gods from different mythologies. The temple has two main entrances, each with a hypostyle hall and several side chambers, with each entrance leading to a separate cult complex. It was built in the Ptolemaic era, between 180-47 BC. The temple is well-preserved and still contains numerous carvings, statues, and hieroglyphs. Its layout, decoration, and architectural features make it a significant example of Ancient Egyptian religious architecture. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Egypt
Prominent Features:

The Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to the gods Sobek and Haroeris, was constructed during the Ptolemaic Dynasty in the 2nd century BC. The temple is located 2 km north of the town of Kom Ombo in the Aswan Governorate and located on the west bank of the Nile River. This Greco-Roman temple is a unique double temple, dedicated to two deities. The temple is flanked by towering pylons, towers and flagpoles and offers a breathtaking view over the Nile Valley. The two large outer courts are each decorated with the typical Egyptian architectural style. The temple is filled with Ptolemaic-style reliefs, inscriptions, dedications, and statues. Inside, you can find the chamber dedicated to Sobek, with a central altar and a hypostyle hall with a worshippers' hall and several chapels. The other half of the temple is dedicated to Haroeris, with many relatively well-preserved reliefs and several sandstone statues. The main highlight of the Temple of Kom Ombo is the two large mummification laboratories, where the bodies of the Egyptian gods and rulers of the Dongola Reach were mummified. Today, the mummification laboratories are a major attraction for tourists visiting the temple. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Egypt.

History:

The Temple of Kom Ombo is an ancient Egyptian temple located in Aswan, Egypt. It is dedicated to the gods Sobek and Haroeris (Horus the Elder). The temple, which dates to the Greco-Roman period, was built during the time of Ptolemy VI (180-145 BC) and was completed by Ptolemy XIII (51-47 BC). The temple complex is composed of a series of open courtyards and temples that reflect the duality of its patron gods. One side of the temple was devoted to Sobek, associated with both power and fertility, while the other side was devoted to Haroeris, a solar cult. The temple includes many interesting features, such as a collection of mummified crocodiles in honor of Sobek, and an altar for animal sacrifices. The propylon, or gate, is decorated with carvings and reliefs depicting the gods Sobek and Haroeris. The temple was restored by numerous rulers and served as an important center of pilgrimage in ancient Egypt. It was a popular destination not only for Egyptians but for foreigners as well. Pilgrims visited the temple not only to worship the gods but to also receive healing and fertility treatments. The temple complex survived the decline of Ancient Egyptian culture, and even in the modern day it remains a symbol of the former grandeur and mystique of Ancient Egypt. The temple is considered one of the best preserved archaeological sites in Egypt and is still used for religious ceremonies today. Visit one of the famous monuments of Egypt with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The Kom Ombo Temple is one of the few double temples in Egypt and the only one dedicated to two gods, Sobek (the crocodile god) and Haroeris (also known as Horus the Elder). 2. Built during the Ptolemaic era (a time when Egypt was ruled by a series of Greek-Macedonian pharaohs), the temple combines two symmetric halves of different but complementing gods—the south dedicated to Sobek and the north to Haroeris. 3. The temple houses a rare depiction of Sobek as a mummified human with a crocodile head, while the north side is dedicated to the cult temple of Horus the Elder. 4. Some of the temple's features include the Courtyard of Offering, the Crypt of the Sacred Lake, the stone carvings and hieroglyphs, and an original staircase that leads to the roof of the temple. 5. The temple was used in ancient times to perform rituals of healing and for the mummification of crocodiles. 6. It is thought that the temple was the center of small crocodile cult, which popularized the notion that it was also a healing center for diseases of the skin. 7. Archaeological investigation at the site unearthed the remains of hundreds of crocodile mummies, a testimony to the devotion of the ancient Egyptians to this sacred animal. 8. It is believed that the site was initially dedicated to the sun god Ra, but was later changed to a double temple dedicated to the two gods Sobek and Horus the Elder. One of the historical monuments of Egypt, it tells the story of a bygone era