Philae Temple Anchorage renovated

CAIRO – 2 August 2020: Abdel Moneim Saeed, director general of Aswan and Nubia Antiquities Sector, revealed that the Philae Island has been developed, in coordination with Aswan Governorate, to facilitate the movement of visitors without crowding.

Saeed also mentioned in press statements that the construction and renovation of the Philae Temple Anchorage - which reopened its doors to visitors in the beginning of July - has been completed, and that Egyptian and foreign visitors currently flock the region.

In addition, Saeed stated that the project of developing the ancient Philae Temple in Aswan has been completed, within the framework of the ministry's plan to develop archaeological sites. This included removing all waste, removing weeds, raising the efficiency of the temple’s anchorage, adding a new anchorage, as well as placing cutting edge bag detectors.

Furthermore, Saeed pointed out that the internal and external entrances have been developed and modern guiding signs were placed in various areas on the island in a way that guarantees its visibility to all visitors, while also placing a complete map of the site.

That is in addition to repairing and renovating the toilets in the area, as well as restoring and cleaning the temple walls and columns from the soot, fixing the temple’s colors in order to show the unique graphics of the temple, setting up modern security system connected to a control room.

Saeed stated that now workers in archaeological sites are accustomed to implementing precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, as those precautions were implemented since March.

Moreover, Saeed clarified that all visitors' temperature is measured, social-distancing is maintained, and crowdedness is banned; ambulances are deployed during the period of visits from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.