RMC - Philae: The Last Temples of Ancient Egypt (2023)

The island of Philae is one of the largest sites of ancient Egypt and was discovered by European explorers in the 18th century.
Located in Aswan in southern Egypt, Philae impresses with its magnificence. This sanctuary, dedicated to the goddess Isis, (goddess of motherhood, love, and resurrection) is the masterpiece of the last pharaohs of Egypt and the Roman emperors who succeeded them.
Today the temples of Philae stand out as one of the most iconic attractions of the Ptolemaic era, and the Roman emperors who ruled the region until the 7th century AD. The buildings, constructed centuries apart, make Philae an extraordinary site. The complex and elaborate architectural details, typical of Greco-Roman buildings, are interwoven with the Egyptian structures.
Even in ancient times, Philae was an important place of worship and pilgrimage, and the last stronghold of the ancient Egyptian religion. Due to its imposing temple complexes and picturesque location on the Nile, the island has impressed European travelers over the centuries. Among them was the French author Pierre Loti, who called the complex the "Pearl of Egypt." The island was approximately 460 meters long and 150 meters wide, covered with numerous palm trees and shrubs, and surrounded by the waters of the Nile. It represented a colorful natural and cultural ensemble with its rock formations in the middle of the Nubian Desert.