The shape of the Nile has been dramatically shaped by the dams at Aswan.
The Island That Went Underwater: The Resurrection of Philae
Imagine an entire island, home to one of the most sacred sites in the ancient world, slowly disappearing beneath the Nile. This isn’t a myth—it’s the true story of Philae Island in southern Egypt.
For centuries, Philae sat near the Nile’s First Cataract, serving as a majestic gateway to Nubia and a holy sanctuary for the goddess Isis. However, modern progress brought a rising tide. With the construction of the Aswan Low Dam and later the High Dam, the original island was almost entirely submerged within the reservoir.
But history wasn’t allowed to drown. In a monumental feat of engineering during the 1970s, the famous temple complex was dismantled stone by stone and meticulously moved to the nearby, higher ground of Agilkia Island. Today, visitors walk through the same ancient halls, now safely perched above the water that once threatened to claim them forever.
Watch: A Journey Across the Nile
There is only one way to reach this floating piece of history: by water. Join us as we hop on a traditional motorboat to navigate the blue expanse between the Aswan dams. Click the video link below: “A Boat Ride to Philae Island.”