Kom Ombo Temple

 

It is one of the most important and beautiful temples in Egypt.
Its unique design and the beautiful decorations on its walls made it a standing masterpiece for more than 2000 years.
After being built in Roman times in the era of Ptolemos VI in 180 BC,
the temple of Kom Ombo is one of the main tourist destinations in Aswan.

Where is Kom Ombo Temple located?

The temple is located on a high knoll on the Nile River in the city of Kom Ombo in Aswan.
The temple was built during the Ptolemaic era, especially during the reign of King Ptolemos VI
and the Romans made drawings and decorations on the walls after that.

What does Kom Ombo mean?

 

The word “Kom Ombo” means gold, as Kom Ombo city was located at the crossroads of gold mines.
its Coptic name was Anbo and the Greek name Ambos,
and the word “Ombo” means the hills that existed in the area.

The design of the temple

The Temple of Kom Ombo was mainly built with rectangular limestone,
with a scheme and design that closely resembles many temples constructed in Roman times, such as the temples of Dandra and Phila.
Which are among the most important monuments in Upper Egypt,
and which are visited annually by many tourists.
The design of the Temple of Kom Ombo begins with a front yard, a pole hall,
followed by three indoor halls, then two palaces, one for Sobek and the other for Horus.
On both sides of the indoor halls, there are seven rooms.
Three of them are located in the eastern part of the temple while the other is in the western part.
Furthermore, Kom Ombo Temple has many waiting rooms and smaller rooms that have been used for different rituals.

The front Columns Hall

The hall has 10 columns on two rows.
On the east side there are stone curtains, inscribed to the king with the cleansing position in front of the God Thut and Subik,
as well as a view in the presence of the Al-Hor ar on the left side.
On the door of the interior hall there are some drawings of King Ptolemos VIII dressed in the crown of lower Egypt presenting offerings to the God Sobek. On the other wall, the drawings of the King wearing the two-sided crown and the God Sama or and the God Sobek and Hathur.

The inner Columns Hall

It contains 10 columns in two parallel sheets in the form of papyrus flowers as well as graffiti of the King
offering offerings to Gods Sobek, Horus and Hathur.
There are 3 drawings on the walls of the exterior face: a drawing of the King introducing incense to Spock and the King Khonsou Hour.
The other is for the King presenting  offerings to God Hor and Banb Tawi.
While the last one is for the King presenting offerings to the Pharaonic Trinity.