Temple of Wadi El Sebua
The Temple of Wadi El Sebua is an ancient site that factually consists of two temples that date back to the ruling period of the New Kingdom in ancient Egypt. A visit to the Temple of Wadi El Sebua is commonly included in many visits’ programs of Nile cruise sailing from Aswan to the startling temple of Abu Simble, or vice versa.
A ruler of Nubia in the reign of the New Kingdom, precisely during the ruling period of King Ramses II, constructed the Temple of Wadi El Sebua, or the Temple of the Valley of the Lions. This is due to the avenue of lions situated at the entrance of the temple.
The temple reflected the sense of unity between Egypt and Nubia at the time. It contains many scenes of Ramses II defeating his enemies and showing his powers. In fact, Sito, the ruler of Nubia constructed this temple and dedicated its construction to the King Ramses II.
The temple was constructed around 220 kilometers to the South of Aswan. The Temple of Wadi El Sebua is considered the second largest ancient Egyptian temples constructed in Nubia, after the Temple of Abu Simble of course. However, the Temple of Wadi El Sebua is one of the most impressive and well-preserved Nubian temples in Egypt.
During the 5th century AD, the Temple was transformed into a Christian church. Some of the original inscriptions and wall paintings were covered to hide the ancient Egyptian signs. Many Egyptian Copts at the time escaped the Nile Valley and Delta. They resorted to isolated places in the Western and Eastern Desert, and Nubia as well.
Dedicated to the holy trinity of Thebes, the three gods Amun Ra, Ra Hour, and Ptah, the first pylon of the Temple of Wadi El Sebua contains a large statue of Ramses II. The first open courtyard is featured with a number of statues of the sphinx with human heads with double crowns that unified Egypt.
The second pylon of the Temple of Wadi El Sebua, located to the South of Aswan, was constructed using mud bricks. The second open courtyard is featured with four statues of the sphinx with the head of a falcon representing Horus. A sanctuary was added to this section for the worship of the god Amun, the king of gods in ancient Egypt.
The third pylon of the Temple of Wadi El Sebua was made out of stones. The scenes on the walls of the pylon contain various situations where Ramses II was hitting the war prisoners. The third open courtyard of the temple contains a number of impressive pillars. After the third open courtyard, there is the rock cut part of the Temple of Wadi El Sebua and it contains 12 pillars, 6 have square capitals and 6 have Osiris capitals.
