About
Kom Ombo Temple stands on the banks of the Nile in Kom Ombo, in Egypt's Aswan Governorate. It is also known as the Temple of Sobek and Haroeris, names that reflect its two divine occupants. The temple is unusual because it is a double temple: it was built to honour both Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus, the falcon god, who appears here under the name Haroeris.
The temple dates from the Ptolemaic dynasty, and its layout is what makes it distinctive. Rather than a single sanctuary, the building is divided along its central axis so that each god has his own set of rooms and his own part of the complex. Visitors often find it easy to see this symmetry as they walk through.
What a visit offers
- A rare example of a temple shared between two deities, rather than dedicated to one.
- A riverside setting on the Nile, with views that change with the light through the day.
- A calm pace compared with busier sites, so there is room to look closely at the carved walls and columns.
Planning your trip
Kom Ombo lies within Aswan Governorate, so it suits travellers already exploring southern Egypt. The temple's address is Kom Ombo, Aswan Governorate 81611, Egypt. For questions before you go, the site can be reached by telephone at +20 97 2500828. Because the facts available here do not include opening hours or entry costs, it is worth checking those directly with the site before setting out.
A visit fits naturally into a wider journey along the Nile, where the river, its villages and other ancient sites give the trip its character.