New KalabshaAbout New Kalabsha
New Kalabsha is an archaeological park and museum complex near Aswan in southern Egypt assembled to house monuments moved during the mid-20th-century Nubian salvage campaign. Monuments were dismantled and re-erected on higher ground to protect them from rising waters after construction of the Aswan High Dam.
The site is centred on the Roman-period temple originally at Kalabsha, which was rebuilt at the new location and is the principal monument on display. A small open-air display groups other relocated reliefs and smaller structures to provide a compact overview of relocated Nubian antiquities.
The temple and associated monuments date to the late Pharaonic and Roman periods, reflecting the long occupation and religious history of Lower Nubia prior to the dam’s construction. Conservation work during relocation aimed to retain as much original stonework and context as possible.
New Kalabsha sits on the edge of Lake Nasser close to Aswan in southern Egypt, within Aswan Governorate, and is commonly visited on excursions from the city of Aswan.
- Nubian salvage: Relocated in the 1960s as part of the international effort to save Nile valley monuments from flooding after the Aswan High Dam.
What to See#
- Temple of Kalabsha: The relocated Roman-period temple dedicated to the Nubian deity Mandulis forms the centrepiece of the site and was carefully dismantled and rebuilt on higher ground during the 1960s international Nubian salvage campaign.
Nearby Attractions to New Kalabsha
Best Time to Visit New Kalabsha
Best visited in the cooler months (November-February) to avoid intense heat; mornings are preferable for photography.
Weather & Climate near New Kalabsha
New Kalabsha's climate is classified as Hot Desert - Hot Desert climate with very hot summers (peaking in July) and mild winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 9°C to 41°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Ideal | 9° - 23° | 16° | 0 mm | clear | 42% | 3.1 m/s | 1.2 high | 10.7h |
| February | Ideal | 10° - 24° | 17° | 0 mm | clear | 33% | 3.7 m/s | 1.6 very high | 11.3h |
| March | Ideal | 14° - 29° | 22° | 0 mm | clear | 23% | 3.8 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 11.9h |
| April | Ideal | 19° - 35° | 27° | 0 mm | clear | 18% | 3.8 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.6h |
| May | Ideal | 24° - 39° | 31° | 0 mm | clear | 15% | 3.3 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 13.1h |
| June | Ideal | 25° - 41° | 33° | 0 mm | clear | 15% | 3.3 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 13.4h |
| July | Ideal | 26° - 41° | 34° | 0 mm | clear | 17% | 3.0 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 13.3h |
| August | Ideal | 26° - 41° | 33° | 0 mm | clear | 18% | 3.1 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.8h |
| September | Ideal | 24° - 39° | 32° | 0 mm | clear | 20% | 3.0 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 12.2h |
| October | Ideal | 21° - 36° | 28° | 0 mm | clear | 26% | 2.8 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.5h |
| November | Ideal | 15° - 29° | 22° | 0 mm | clear | 37% | 3.0 m/s | 1.3 high | 10.9h |
| December | Ideal | 11° - 24° | 18° | 0 mm | clear | 44% | 2.9 m/s | 1.1 high | 10.6h |
How to Get to New Kalabsha
New Kalabsha is accessed from Aswan by road; many Nile cruise itineraries include a stop. It is roughly a 20-40 minute drive south of Aswan depending on exact stops. Taxis, private drivers or organized tours are the usual ways to reach the site.
Tips for Visiting New Kalabsha
- Combine a visit to New Kalabsha with other Aswan antiquities (Philae, Nubian Museum) for context.
- Boat tours along the Nile provide photogenic approaches to the temple reconstructions; try early morning light for best photos.
- Some relocated buildings are fragile-follow posted routes and do not touch reliefs.