Wadi al-Sebua Temple, Nubia

Wadi al-Sebua is the site of two New Kingdom Egyptian temples in Lower Nubia. It is 211 kilometers south of Aswan, on the western shore of Lake Nasser. Translating to the Valley of the Lions, Wadi al-Sebua got its name because of the lion-headed sphinxes, which lined the entrance to the temple. The structure was built during the reign of Ramses II (r. 1279-1213 BCE). As the second-largest Nubian temple after Abu Simbel, Wadi al-Sebua is known for its one preserved pylon as well as its stone exterior and inner vestibule and sanctuary, which were partly freestanding and partly cut into the surrounding rock. Along with Abu Simbel, Philae, Amada, and other Nubian archaeological sites, the temples at Wadi al-Sebua were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979. By the time it became a frequent tourist attraction again in the 1990s when Cruises started running on Lake Nasser.

In the 5th century AD, the temple was converted into a Christian church. A layer of plaster covered some temple reliefs, where painted images of God were done. This layer helped to preserve for posterity the original reliefs. The best examples here are located in the sanctuary and associated chapels of Ramesses’ temple; where colorful scenes depict Ramesess adoring the sacred boats of Amun-Re and Re-Horakhty.

The temple is partially constructed from stone blocks, but the inner sanctuary is carved into the bedrock. Originally, the temple offered three pylons, but only two of them survived. The first leading to the avenue of sphinxes is no longer here; but the second, leading into a forecourt decorated by statues of Ramesses II. And the third, reveals a second courtyard supported by columns decorated by images of Ramesses as Osiris remains.

First Temple of Amenhotep III

The first temple was built by the 18th Dynasty Pharaoh Amenhotep III and subsequently, Ramses II restored it. The temple of Amenhotep III was dedicated first to a Nubian form of the god Horus and later to the god Amun. During the Amarna Period, images of Amun were attacked and the decorations deteriorated; but Ramesses II later restored and extended Amenhotep III’s temple by building structures in front of the pylon. In its first stage, It consisted of a rock-cut sanctuary fronted by a brick-built pylon, a court, and a hall, partly painted with wall paintings.

The temple of Amun of Ramesses II

The second larger temple which was built at al-Sebua was known as “The Temple of Ramesses II”. It was constructed roughly 150 m northeast of Amenhotep III’s temple. It was dedicated to the god Amun-Ra and god Rahorakhty and consisted of a sphinx-lined approach leading to a series of three pylons with colossi of the king fronting the remaining pylon of stone. Contemporary monuments and representations of the viceroy of Kush, Setau, indicate that this temple was set up between Years 35 and Year 50 of Ramesses II. Wadi al-Sebua temple was the third sanctuary constructed from the rock with a forecourt built with stones that Ramesses II erected in Nubia.

Relocation of Wadi al-Sebua Temples in Nubia

As with Philae, Abu Simbel, and the other temples in Nubia, Wadi al-Subua’s monuments are only able to be viewed today thanks to the UNESCO project that saved them from the rising waters of the Aswan High Dam. Flooding from the construction of the Aswan dam project threatened Wadi al-Sebua temples. Fortunately, the temple was dismantled in 1964 with U.S. support by the Egyptian Antiquities Service. They were moved to a new site only 4 km west of their original location. The Temple of Dakka and the Temple of Maharraqa were also moved to the New Wadi al-Sebua temple complex area.

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