Izbat Al Bayyarah in Markaz Kom Ombo, Aswan Governorate, Egypt — مصر (Northeast Africa)

Inner Halls and Twin Sanctuaries

Photographed by James Hulse, October 12, 2024

1. Inner Halls and Twin Sanctuaries Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The core of the temple was built by King Ptolemy VI, in the 2nd century BC. Beyond the inner hypostyle hall are three vestibules, where offerings were likely presented. Each has two doorways, one for each of the temple's two gods.

The ceiling of one of the vestibules has survived with much of its decoration and original colours. Stars against a blue sky can be seen, as can a pattern of vultures wearing the White Crown alternating with cobra-headed vultures wearing the Red Crown. These respectively represent the Upper Egyptian and Lower Egyptian tutelary goddesses Nekhbet and Wadjet.

At the far end of the temple lie its two most sacred rooms: the sanctuaries. The southern is dedicated to Sobek, and the other to Harwer. In the centre of each is a fragment of black granite. These are the pedestals on which rested the gods' shrines that once contained their cult images. Secret rooms are located under the sanctuaries and in the spaces within their now-disappeared walls, where ritual equipment was once stored.

Captions
(Photo #1) The God Horus in Human Form with a Falcon's Head
(Photo #2) The God Sobek in Human Form with a Crocodile's Head

Arabic:

القاعات الداخلية وقدس الأقداس
بنى الملك بطلميوس السادس فيلوميتور (القرن) ۲ ق.م ) ثلاث ردهات خلف بهو الأعمدة الداخلي، وعلى الأرجح أنه تم بناؤها لتقديم القرابين بها، لكل منها مدخلان واحد لكل معبود.

يتميز سقف إحدى تلك القاعات بمجموعة من النقوش البارزة والزخارف الملونة لمناظر أشكال نجوم على صفحة سماء زرقاء، كما يمكن رؤية نسور ترتدي التاج الأبيض وكذلك نسور برأس كوبرا ترتدي التاج الأحمر. وهي تمثل بالترتيب معبودتي مصر العليا ومصر السفلى، نخبت ووادچت.

أما قدسا الأقداس فهما في نهاية المعبد، حيث القدس الجنوبي لسوبك والآخر لحورس (حر) ور) ، ويتوسط كل قاعة قطعة من الجرانيت الأسود. وهي بمثابة قاعدة أقيم عليها مقصورة المعبود والتي كانت ينقش عليها مناظر دينية. بالإضافة إلى مجموعة من السراديب والغرف السرية المخصصة لتخزين القرابين وأدوات ممارسة الطقوس الدينية، والتي كانت تقع أسفل قدس الأقداس وداخل جدرانه المندثرة حاليا.

(1) الإله حورس في هيئة آدمية برأس صقر
(2) الإله سوبك في هيئة آدمية برأس تمساح

Erected by Ministry of Tourism & Antiquity, Aswan and unesco.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Anthropology & Archaeology.

Location. 24° 27.132′ N, 32° 55.709′ E. Marker is in Izbat Al Bayyarah, Aswan Governorate, in Markaz Kom Ombo. It is on Tariaq Bedon Esm. The marker is located on the grounds of the Kom Ombo Temple. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Izbat Al Bayyarah, Aswan Governorate 12813-01, Egypt. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Africa,

specifically in North Africa,

in the Middle East,

on the Red Sea,

and in a coastal Mediterranean country.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Byzantine Empire,

the Ottoman Empire,

a British colony,

and the Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Festival Calendars (here, next to this marker); The Surgical Instruments Scene (a few steps from this marker); Inner Hypostyle Hall (a few steps from this marker); Chapel of the Hearing Ear (within shouting distance of this marker); Outer Hypostyle Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Surgical Instruments Scene (within shouting distance of this marker); The Temple of Ombos / Le temple d’Ombos (within shouting distance of this marker); The Open-Air Courtyard (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Izbat Al Bayyarah.

Also see . . . Temple of Kom Ombo. Wikipedia

The building is unique because its 'double' design meant that there were courts, halls, sanctuaries and rooms duplicated for two sets of gods.
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The southern half of the temple was dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek, god of fertility and creator of the world with Hathor and Khonsu. Meanwhile, the northern part of the temple was dedicated to the falcon god Haroeris ("Horus the Elder"), along "with Tasenetnofret (the Good Sister, a special form of Hathor or Tefnut) and Panebtawy (Lord of the Two Lands)". The temple is atypical because everything is perfectly symmetrical along the main axis.

(Submitted on November 24, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The view of the marker and the surviving ceiling panel image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, October 12, 2024

2. The view of the marker and the surviving ceiling panel

Closeup of the ceiling of one of the surviving vestibules image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, October 12, 2024

3. Closeup of the ceiling of one of the surviving vestibules

Stars against a blue sky can be seen, as can a pattern of vultures wearing the White Crown alternating with cobra-headed vultures wearing the Red Crown.

The outer view of the Inner Halls and Twin Sanctuaries image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, October 12, 2024

4. The outer view of the Inner Halls and Twin Sanctuaries

Credits. This page was last revised on November 30, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 21, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 49 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 29, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 4. submitted on November 30, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.