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Temple of Debod a unique gift of gratitude from Egypt

Introduction

This is probably the most surprising point of visiting Madrid – the original Egyptian temple from the 2nd century BC. The Temple of Debod. It was originally located in southern Egypt near Aswan, but today it stands on the place where in the 19th-century stood some military buildings. The buildings were destroyed during the Spanish Civil War. But how did this temple end up on a hill by the Manzanares River? Well, it sailed and partially traveled here, disassembled into nearly 100 pieces from Egypt. It was a gift in gratitude for the help given by the Spanish government in saving the temples in Nubia. The aid was a response to UNESCO’s appeal to countries worldwide, urging them to save the monuments of ancient Egypt. They were threatened with flooding due to the construction of the Nile Dam in Aswan in 1960, as part of an artificial lake that was to be built. The temple is dedicated to the Egyptian gods Amun and Isis. In Madrid, it was set up in the same orientation from east to west as it was originally built. In 1972 it was opened to the public. The temple can be visited free of charge, inside there are 3 chapels and a vestibule, which is a kind of anteroom. The walls are covered with original reliefs, which depict ancient Egyptian rituals and scenes. The Temple of Debod is indeed a fascinating piece of history, and its journey from Egypt to Madrid adds to its allure.

We also encourage you to watch the following document showing the assembly of the Temple in Madrid and showing its interior.

Planner

how to get: Metro Placa de España (L2, L3, L10) You cross the square and head right, past the playgrounds.

Tickets: Visiting is free.

Important: The Temple of Debod does not have a ticket reservation system. Due to conservation and safety reasons, its capacity is a maximum of 10 people. Each can spend up to 30 minutes inside. Please keep that in mind before you stand in line.

🎫 Tickets online & ⏰ Open Hours
Temple of Debod
Tuesday
10:00 AM – 07:30 PM
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