Kom Ombo is the only double temple in Egypt. It sits on a bend of the Nile about 45 km north of Aswan, and everything in it is built twice, side by side: two entrances, two halls and two sanctuaries, one for the crocodile god Sobek and one for the falcon god Haroeris, Horus the Elder.
History
Most of the temple was built under the Ptolemies, starting around 180 BC, with decoration added by Roman emperors. The area was known for crocodiles that basked on the sandbanks, which is why Sobek was worshipped here. Part of the temple was later washed away by the river, so the front half is open to the sky.
What to see
Look for the famous relief that many guides describe as a set of medical instruments, a calendar of festivals carved on a wall, and a Nilometer, a well with steps used to measure the height of the flood and set the taxes. Next to the temple, the small Crocodile Museum displays mummified crocodiles found in a nearby cemetery, along with crocodile eggs and coffins.
Visiting
Cruise boats moor right below the temple, so it is an easy walk. Many boats stop in the late afternoon or evening, when the temple is lit up. Allow about an hour. Kom Ombo is part of all our Nile cruises and some Aswan day tours.
