Temple de Debod - a gift to Madrid

The Templo de Debod is an ancient Egyptian temple near Plaza de España in Madrid. It once stood in the Nile Valley of Egypt, 31km from Aswan. Built in the 4th century BC, it was dedicated to the god Amun and the goddess Isis.

When the new Aswan Dam threatened the temple, the Egyptian government decided to give it to Spain in gratitude for its help in saving Abu Simbel. The temple was carefully dismantled in 1969-70, put on a ship to Valencia followed by a train to Madrid. There it was reconstructed and opened to the public in 1971.

The Templo de Debod is beautifully illuminated at night, with its image reflected in the water.