Temple of Debod (Madrid)
Located to the west of Spain Square is one of the most exotic and interesting tourist attractions not only in Madrid but in all of Spain: the Temple of Debod, an architectural complex from Egypt's pharaonic era oriented from east to west. The African country gifted it to Spain in 1968.
This curious gift was Egypt’s way of thanking the Kingdom of Spain for the valuable help it offered during the complex process of removing and moving all the temples of Nubia, which were condemned to remain underwater once the construction of the Aswan Dam was put into operation.
This imposing temple is 2,200 years old. It is suspected that the oldest core of the architectural complex was built during the reign of Ptolemy IV and later decorated by the Nubian king Adijalamani of Meroe. It was built to honour Isis and Amun of Debod, and it was part of the Ptolemaic and imperial Roman period, approximately between the first century BC and the second century AD.
As an interesting detail, the Temple of Debod was one of four monuments donated by Egypt for the help it received. The other three were Dendur to the United States, Taffa to the Netherlands, and Ellesiya to Italy.
In 2017, the Temple of Debod underwent important work to condition the complex air conditioning system and ensure its preservation in Madrid's temperate climate.
Given the peculiarity of the monument and its exotic and interesting appeal, the Temple of Debod is one of the most visited sites by tourists, academics and students.
This curious gift was Egypt’s way of thanking the Kingdom of Spain for the valuable help it offered during the complex process of removing and moving all the temples of Nubia, which were condemned to remain underwater once the construction of the Aswan Dam was put into operation.
This imposing temple is 2,200 years old. It is suspected that the oldest core of the architectural complex was built during the reign of Ptolemy IV and later decorated by the Nubian king Adijalamani of Meroe. It was built to honour Isis and Amun of Debod, and it was part of the Ptolemaic and imperial Roman period, approximately between the first century BC and the second century AD.
As an interesting detail, the Temple of Debod was one of four monuments donated by Egypt for the help it received. The other three were Dendur to the United States, Taffa to the Netherlands, and Ellesiya to Italy.
In 2017, the Temple of Debod underwent important work to condition the complex air conditioning system and ensure its preservation in Madrid's temperate climate.
Given the peculiarity of the monument and its exotic and interesting appeal, the Temple of Debod is one of the most visited sites by tourists, academics and students.
Location
Civil Buildings in Madrid
Religious Buildings in Madrid
Museums in Madrid
