Temple of Kom Ombo

Along with Esna and Edfu, Kom Ombo is the third major stop that most of the Nile cruises between Luxor and Aswan make on their journey. Located only 30 miles north of Aswan, it is also easy to visit Kom Ombo on a daytrip by car from Aswan.

however, The setting of this Temple of Sobek, the crocodile god, makes an approach by water the far superior way to visit this site. The temple is perched atop a picturesque bluff alongside the river and while there are no longer any crocodiles in the river or in the sacred lake inside the temple complex, t
his riverside temple is still worthy of a visit.

Like the other two sites between Luxor and Aswan, Kom Ombo dates from the Ptolomaic Dynasty and it was only completed under Roman rule. The temple has a dual dedicatation to Sobek, as well as Horus, and the plan of the temple reflects this dual purpose.

This article contains information for NON EGYPTIANS who wish to visit Kom Ombo Temple including:

Where is Kom Ombo temple located?

The Temple of Kom Ombo is an unusual double temple in the town of Kom Ombo in Aswan GovernorateUpper Egypt. Back in time, the temple took place between the Nubian trade routes and the gold mines in the eastern desert, later, it became a training depot for the wild animals used in the war during the role of Ptolemy VII to fight the Seleucid empire, it was built during his reign as well .the area that the temple was constructed on used to be a favorite spot to the crocodiles to lay under the sun on the Nile shore, so it’s make sense now to be dedicated to the crocodile god

How old is the Temple of Kom Ombo and who built it?

It was constructed during the Ptolemaic dynasty, 180–47 BC. Some additions to it were later made during the Roman period. Kom ombo temple was built 180 years ago (B.C) by the Ptolemaic dynasty during the Roman invasion, what’s so special about the temple of Kom ombo that it stands right on the river bank between Edfu and Aswan which makes it a wonderful stop station for Nile cruises and a main highlight of Aswan attractions .the temple is dedicated to two gods, Sobek the crocodile god and Haroeris (the falcon god Horus), it is weird for any Egyptian temple to be set up for two gods ,it’s just unusual to have double dedication. Bastet Travel agency has already provided Egypt tours that include Kom ombo temple visits

Kom Ombo Town

Kom ombo is a small town located on the west bank of the Nile between Edfu and Aswan city, it was once a landscape covered with sand and maybe that’s why the Arabs called it Kom which means (small mountain) because formerly it was desert and sandy hills before the excavations and that the distinct feature of the town (kom ombo temple ) stands on a small hill overlooking the Nile. today, thanks to the irrigation, agriculture and sugar cane plantations which extended to cover almost 12,000 hectares, this industrial movement led to developments to all the villages of Kom ombo making it industrial centers, in addition of hospitals, schools, sugar refiners were established all over. The stones of Kom ombo temple actually differ from any other temple, and what makes the temple really stands out is the exceptional background of the fertile land, direct view of the Nile and the granite rocks on the shore.

The best way for visiting Kom Ombo Temple

If you’re exploring Egypt on a cruise trip, the Temple of Kom Ombo is usually the first stop after leaving Aswan. Trains stop at Kom Ombo on the line between Aswan and Luxor (which goes on to Cairo too), although are very often delayed. Hiring a car with a driver from Aswan is the most flexible option, if you can haggle them down to a good price for a return journey and waiting for you while you explore the temple. 

The easiest option is booking a guided excursion or cruise, many of which combine other important temples and monuments, so that you don’t have to worry about travelling between the different sights or trying to find an English-speaking guide.

 

How much does it cost to visit the Temple of Kom Ombo?

Tickets, which cost 140 Egyptian pounds (approximately $9) for adults and 70 Egyptian pounds (or $4.5) for students, can be purchased at the entrance’s visitors center. All tickets include access to the main temple of Kom Ombo and the crocodile museum.

The ancient Egyptian mythologies about Kom Ombo Temple

Ancient Egyptian had very special religious believes, they had many gods and goddesses each one indicates some morals motivated the Egyptian to dedicate them worshiping temples ,in Horus and Osiris myth the Egyptian god Seth refers to evil and darkness which somehow changed his skin to be a crocodile in order to escape, the right side building of Kom ombo temple is for Sobek (a form of seth), his wife Hathor and their son (khunso).the Egyptians believed if they worshipped and honored dreadful crocodiles as gods they would protect them from attacks ,However, the left side building of  the temple is set up for Haroeris (form of Horus) and his wife. Roman emperors were so admired and impressed by the Egyptian mythologies ,they recognized well how much the ancient Egyptian were passionate about their gods so they portrayed themselves with Egyptian god figures to win respect and loyalty of common Egyptians . you’ll find the Roman emperor Domitian seen on the entrance pylon with the  divine triad Sobek,Hathor and Khonsu beside 52 long lines of hieroglyphic writings , as well as ,emperor Tiberius who is shown on the columns of the temple as he rendering homage and making offerings to the gods .

The design and layout of Kom Ombo Temple

The building is unique because its ‘double’ design meant that there were courts, halls, sanctuaries and rooms duplicated for two sets of gods. The southern half of the temple was dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek, god of fertility and creator of the world with Hathor and Khonsu. Meanwhile, the northern part of the temple was dedicated to the falcon god Haroeris (“Horus the Elder”), along “with Tasenetnofret (the Good Sister, a special form of Hathor or Tefnet/Tefnu) and Panebtawy (Lord of the Two Lands).”The temple is atypical because everything is perfectly symmetrical along the main axis.

It is a symmetrical mirror of itself along its main axis with one half devoted to each of the two gods it honors. Like at Esna, the pylon entrance to the temples is no longer standing, leaving the hypostyle hall as the main feature that visitors see today. Also on the grounds of the temple is the Crocodile Museum, which has a display over crocodile mummies.

It is a double temple each side dedicated to one god of Sobek and Horus ,the two sanctuaries buildings are perfectly symmetrical ,almost a twin temple ,linking between them similar passageways lead to the outer parts of the temple. Some renovations were made later, such as the hypostyle hall which was added by Ptolemy the seventh 51-47B.C, Moreover, under the role of emperor Trajan 53-117AD, the forecourt and outer walls were added, the entrance gate of the temple complex assumed to be built by Cleopatra’s father Ptolemy XII. The walls of the temple painted with repeated offerings scenes to the gods by the pharaohs of the Ptolemaic period, and include Cleopatra VI.

The outer hypostyle hall

The main feature of kom ombo temple is the hypostyle hall full with fifteen columns decorated with some lotus floral capitals and sun images, the bases of the columns are decorated with Lilly as a symbol for upper Egypt and papyrus which is a symbol for Nile delta, However, the roof is decorated with flying vultures. since the common people were very influenced by religious thoughts, The Egyptian pharaohs linked themselves to gods in order to appear to their folks as chosen kings by deities, so we can see Ptolemy XII painted on the outer and inner walls of the temple purified by Horus and being crowned by Haroeris, other carvings shows him making offerings to the same gods beside Sobek, Isis and lion headed god. There’s a large round located west of the outer hypostyle hall called the “sacred wall” which was used to measure the depth of the Nile, also there’s a small pool was for raising sacred crocodiles where uncovered crocodile mummies were found nearby.

The inner hypostyle hall

the inner hall has ten thin columns which has some engravings of Ptolemy II making offerings to the gods while his brother making some offerings to Haroeris at the back of the hall as well. the south wall shows paintings of Sobek , the southwest corner shows Ptolemy II receiving the victory sword from Haroeris in the presence of his wife and sister. Between the back doors there’s a hieroglyphic list of the temple’s gods and festivals. After the hypostyle halls ,there’s three vestibules was decorated by Ptolemy VI, the first one shows Sheshta (god of writing)making some foundation measurements of the temple, the second vestibule were made only for priests with a storing chamber for sacred manuscripts and papyrus while the walls contained some dedications for god Sobek and offerings for Haroeris . 

The chapels and the birth house

The small chapels were decorated as well but with un finished bas-reliefs, the survived reliefs of the façade depicts an entire process of surgeries and surgeon’s instruments confirming the great medicine skills of the ancient Egyptians .the chapel of god Hathor located on the right of the temple, was constructed by the Roman emperor Domitian dedicated for Hathor whom the Greeks identified as Aphrodite, an ancient Greek goddess associated with love, also some crocodile mummies can be seen in the chapel. The” birth house” also belongs to the temple complex which was built by Ptolemy VIII. 

Recommended Tour packages to Egypt including Temple of Kom Ombo:

Aswan Tours

Aswan to Luxor Nile Cruise

Luxor to Aswan Nile Cruise

Dahabiya Nile Cruise

Frequently asked questions about visiting Egypt

Is it safe to travel to Egypt

Is it safe to travel to Egypt?

Egypt is nearly crime-free; as Lonely Planet notes, “The incidence of crime, violent or otherwise, in Egypt is negligible compared with many Western countries, and you’re generally safe walking around day or night.”

Is Egypt Safe for Americans to Travel to

Is Egypt Safe for Americans to Travel to?

We get this question a lot at Bastet Travel In short, Americans and other visitors can rest easy: yes, Egypt is a safe country for tourists. And the rest of the world seems to agree — after years of middling numbers, tourism in Egypt is steadily rising towards its former highs, hosting over 9 million sightseers in 2018. The longer answer is worth exploring, though, and we have some assurances to offer all our clients who join us on all of our Egypt Travel Packages.

Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry?

  •  Yes.
    • All passengers travelling to Egypt (including Egyptians) must be in possession of negative PCR test certificate for COVID-19, taken at a maximum of 72 hours before their flight departure time.
    • Passengers travelling from Japan, China, Thailand, North America, South America, Canada, London Heathrow, Paris, and Frankfurt will be allowed to provide the test certificate performed at a maximum of 96 hours prior to flight departure, due to the long travel and transit period from these airports.
      • Although we understand the PCR testing policy to require a test result performed no more than 96 hours before the original departing flight, we have received anecdotal reports that some travelers have been denied entry when their PCR test was performed more than 96 hours prior to the departure of their connecting flight.
      • Travelers must present paper copies of the test results; digital copies will not be accepted.
      • Children under the age of six of all nationalities are exempt.

Are PCR and/or antigen tests available for US citizens in Egypt?

Yes, at numerous private testing centers, as well as the Central Public Health Lab.

Has the government of Egypt approved a COVID-19 vaccine for use?

 Yes

Which vaccines are available in Egypt?

 AstraZeneca and Sinopharm.

Are vaccines available in Egypt for tourists to receive?

Yes, the media has reported that anyone over age 18, including foreign residents, can now register for the vaccine. There is limited supply of the vaccine available and the media reports that priority for the vaccine will go to the elderly and those with chronic illnesses.

Are test results reliably available within 72 hours?

 YesMost test providers offer 48-hour turnaround. Faster service is possible at extra cost.

How can I obtain my Visa to visit Egypt?

How can I obtain my visa to visit Egypt?

Visitors and travelers to Egypt are required to carry a passport valid for at least six months from their arrival date. However, in an effort to revitalize tourism in Egypt the following nationalities can purchase a 1-month entry visa on arrival. The Nationalities that benefit from the aforementioned exception are Australia, Canada, Croatia, the European Union, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Macedonia, South Korea, Russia, Serbia, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and The U.S.A. The Process for acquiring these entry visas is extremely simple and only takes a mere couple of minutes through any bank window before proceeding to customs.

What do i need to know when traveling to Egypt?

 A few Things to Know Before Traveling to Egypt

You need a visa, and you can buy it upon arrival. The dollar goes far in Egypt. The traffic in Cairo/Giza is outrageous, but taxis (and Ubers) are cheap. You should not skip the Pyramids and Sphinx. The Pyramids and Sphinx are just the beginning of the ancient treasures. Islamic Cairo is amazing. Aswan should not be missed The Sahara is more than sand It is safer than you think

What are the most famous tourist attractions in Egypt

What are the most famous tourist attractions in Egypt?

Egypt has so much for travelers to see and do, it’s the perfect country for a mix of activities combining culture, adventure, and relaxation. Find the best places to visit with our list of the top tourist attractions in Egypt.
  1. Pyramids of Giza
  2. Valley of the kings
  3. Luxor’s Karnak Temple
  4. The Egyptian Museum
  5. Christian and Islamic Cairo
  6. The White Desert and Baharyia Oasis
  7. Siwa Oasis
  8. Abu simbel Temples
  9. Aswan
  10. Alexandria
  11. St. Catherine’s Monastery
  12. The Nubian village
  13. Nile River Cruise
  14. Hurghada
  15. South of Sinai

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Also known as Set, Setekh, Suty and Sutekh, Seth was the god of chaos, darkness, violence, evil, deserts, storms, and one of the Osirian gods. In the Osiris myth, he is the murderer of Osiris (in some versions of the myth, he tricks Osiris into laying down in a coffin and then seals it shut.)

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