Temple of Taffeh
Religious Site Ancient Egyptian temple originally from Lower Nubia
An Egyptian temple originally from Lower Nubia near Aswan, the Temple of Taffeh was dismantled during Aswan resettlement efforts and reconstructed in museum displays abroad; it is encountered today in collections.
The Temple of Taffeh is a small Egyptian temple originally located in Nubia that was dismantled and relocated in connection with salvage work prompted by the construction of the Aswan High Dam. The temple was gifted to the Netherlands and reconstructed in the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden in Leiden.
The building is an example of a provincial Egyptian temple with carved reliefs and an entrance porch. In its museum setting it is presented as a near-complete reassembly, allowing visitors to inspect architectural blocks and interior relief work that would otherwise have been lost under rising reservoir waters.
The temple was originally constructed in the Roman-era phase of Egyptian temple building and served local cult functions before its 20th century relocation. Its reassembly in Europe followed international agreements over the rescue of Nubian monuments.
The reassembled temple is located inside the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden in Leiden, where it forms a prominent part of the museum’s Egyptian collection.
- Relocation: Dismantled and donated to the Netherlands after the Aswan High Dam salvage campaign, then reassembled in the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden in Leiden in the 1970s.
Tips for Visiting Temple of Taffeh #
- The original Temple of Taffeh was moved from Nubia and is now exhibited in the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden in Leiden, Netherlands-if you're in Aswan expecting the intact temple you will not find it on site.
- If you are in Upper Egypt and want to learn about Nubian monuments that were relocated during the Aswan dams project, plan a visit to the Nubian Museum in Aswan for context and nearby original artifacts.
Best Time to Visit Temple of Taffeh #
As the Temple of Taffeh is displayed in a European museum, visit outside the summer tourist peak (shoulder seasons are best) to avoid crowds.
Weather & Climate near Temple of Taffeh #
Temple of Taffeh'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 11°C to 38°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 22°C and lows of 11°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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February
February is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 11°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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March
March is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 15°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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April
April is warm with highs of 33°C and lows of 20°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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May
May is hot with highs of 36°C and lows of 24°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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June
June is hot with highs of 38°C and lows of 26°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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July
July is the hottest month with highs of 38°C and lows of 27°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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August
August is hot with highs of 38°C and lows of 27°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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September
September is hot with highs of 37°C and lows of 25°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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October
October is hot with highs of 34°C and lows of 22°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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November
November is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 16°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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December
December is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 12°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
