"New Kalabsha" a Kalabishah Travel Page by MM212

Located just south of the High Dam on the shores of Lake Nasser, Kalabsha refers to the largest of five structures on this site, also known as the Temple of Mandulis. This temple along with the other four, the Kiosk of Qertassi, Chapel of Dedwen, Temple of Gerf Hussein and Temple of Beit Wali were originally located further south in five different areas now flooded by Lake Nasser. With German funding, the temples were rescued and moved to a single new location, now often referred to as "New Kalabsha", much closer to Aswan. When in Aswan, a day trip to Kalabsha is highly recommended, not only for the elegant temples, but also for the stunning views over Lake Nasser. Kalabsha is also a wonderful respite from the tourist masses, for this site is skipped by all major tour operators, and could easily be combined with a trip to Philae on the same afternoon.

Due to the lack of an appropriate location on VT, I have chosen the original site of the Temple of Mandulis, Kalabsha (spelt "Kalabishah" here), to write about New Kalabsha and its temples. The original Kalabsha site was further south in an area now fully submerged by lake Nasser. New Kalabsha is an island when the water level is high, but joins the mainland at other times.

Egypt December 2007 Itinerary:
Cairo - Saqqara - Pyramids of Giza; Luxor - Karnak - Necropolis of Thebes; Aswan - Philae - Kalabsha; Abu Simbel; Cairo again.