A Real Egyptian Temple in Madrid
by Francois Hagnere on 01/01/10 at 1:48 pm
We are back to Spain with the New Year. The Temple of Debod, saved from the Nile and given to Spain by Egypt in 1968 is an excellent example of anastylosis.
Erected in the 2nd century BC, the Egyptian Temple of Debod, dedicated to Isis of Philae, was part of the monuments saved from immersion during the construction of the Aswan Dam launched under the Presidency of G.A. Nasser in 1954. Spain helped saving the temple of Abu Simbel and Egypt donated her the Temple of Debod in 1968. It took 2 years for the reassemby in Madrid in the “Parque de Rosales” near the Royal Palace, and was finally opened to the public in 1972. The result simply is amazing. Preceded by three of its original portals, it rises on a height with a spectacular vista on the Rio Manzanares. The temple that was often used for cultural events and advertisements suffered pollution and vandalism, it was declared a cultural legacy in 2008. Hieroglyphs decorate the inner walls. It was originally located 15 km South of Aswan, near the First Cataract of the Nile. It was later extended on its four sides and mesures 12 x 15 m. Emperors Augustus and Tiberius also decorated the edifice. Of course, the temple of Debod was erected on a special location in Egypt according to special rites, telluric forces and orientations. If the building was saved from ruin, it undeniably lost its power of radiation. The Netherlands, the USA and Italy also received temples from Egypt. The temple of Debod is an excellent example of anastylosis, an archaeological term designating the reconstruction of a ruined monument using a careful method for the re-adjustment of all architectural elements.
To the West, at the foot of the hill, can be visited a lovely rose garden. The park where the inhabitants of Madrid made an assault on the Monata barracks in 1936 also offers a splendid panorama over the Casa de Campa and the Sierra de Guadararama.
Temple of Debod, Madrid.
T
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Side view in Winter.
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Front view of the temple of Debod.
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The Temple of Debod in its original location in Egypt.
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Liked it
Joe Dorish
Jan 1st, 2010
Looks like a great place to see!
deep blue
Jan 1st, 2010
A nice temple here. I was amazed how they put it together in another place. A happy new year to you, Francois.
fashion girl
Jan 1st, 2010
Looks enchanting…. A silent piece of history…
haikumad
Jan 1st, 2010
Fantastic pix.
AlmaG
Jan 1st, 2010
That was a great gift of friendship between two nations for handing some helping hand. A part of Egypt in Spain wow!
LoveDoctor
Jan 1st, 2010
A well-written and interesting historical article. Beautiful images. Fabulous temple.
albert1jemi
Jan 1st, 2010
excellent article and great pictures
clay hurtubise
Jan 1st, 2010
Wow! So nice that it was saved.
Nice piece.
Thanks,
Clay
cutedrishti8
Jan 2nd, 2010
Wonderful pictures and information.
Christine Ramsay
Jan 2nd, 2010
You always describe these buildings so beautifully. Great work.
Christine
bailieman
Jan 2nd, 2010
More excellent information. Great to see what can be done when countries work together.
qasimdharamsy
Jan 2nd, 2010
Nice work…
magicdarts
Jan 2nd, 2010
they’ve certainly done a beautiful job of presenting and preserving the temple buildings in Madrid – fascinating account thanks!
SharifaMcFarlane
Jan 3rd, 2010
It’s a nice idea. There is a place in Japan-meijimura- where they are several reconstructed buildings from different periods of Japanese history.
This was a fascinating topic Francois.
R J Evans
Jan 3rd, 2010
Fabulous article – never saw this when in Madrid (tho wasn’t conscious a lot of the time, long story).
Have blogged this at
http://www.webphemera.com/2010/01/real-egyptian-temple-in-madrid.html
Sorry haven’t been aruond for a while Francois! Work and stuff just got in the way of my online activities!
R J Evans
Jan 3rd, 2010
Cool article – missed it when in Madrid (though I was unconscious most of the time, long story!)
Blogged at..
http://www.webphemera.com/2010/01/real-egyptian-temple-in-madrid.html
Sorry haven;t been around for a while!
Francois Hagnere
Jan 3rd, 2010
There are so many unknown places around the world…Thank you all. Many thanks RJ, really appreciated.
François
Greg Seltz
Jan 6th, 2010
Beautiful pictures…
PhoenixRox
Jan 7th, 2010
Francois, have u bought the tickets? When are u taking me there? LOL. I must go. U know how much I love Egyptian stuff and now this in Madrid!! wowow!!!
lillyrose
Jan 7th, 2010
What a lovely gift from the Egyptians! It’s amazing that a building can be taken block by block and resurrected in another country. Judging by the picture of the building in its original home it was already to make its move! Great piece and great pictures!
Avaxier
Jan 7th, 2010
Beautiful temple! I never seen nor heard of this temple before. Thank you for the new knowledge!
Themax
Jan 7th, 2010
Hey Francois Brother Thank you friend for experecing me with this beautiful wonder,really when multiple cultures meet in a place that’s call wonder ,What I can see through your article
XXElleXX
Jan 8th, 2010
Wickedly awesome Francois..excellent article..loved the pics..as always..a pleasure reading this:-)
Starpisces
Jan 9th, 2010
Nice article here, great places, nice pictures, one day I must visit your country as there are many nice places which you have written so far (in other post too), I have not read them, but glanced at the titles…
WOW!!!
Rana Sinha
Jan 12th, 2010
Quaint! Seeing an Egyptian temple amidst snow in Spain. Didn’t know about it.
RS Wing
Jan 29th, 2010
That’s a great gesture Egypt has made to Spain and the US. Never ever have heard of this. Must have been quite a feat to disassemble then re-construct. Really amazing images, especially the last night time picture. Great work Francois.
Wiggles18
Feb 4th, 2010
Beautiful pictures, as well as a great article. Thanks.
patampar
Feb 17th, 2010
excellent
Francois Hagnere
Mar 11th, 2010
Thanks again to all for your nice comments. Best wishes.
MJ Sunderland
Jun 10th, 2010
A brilliant discussion of this subject. Well-written and beautifully illustrated as always. In some ways it’s an act of cultural vandalism to relocate antiquities like this, but it is wonderful to seem them in Europe and they have become part of European culture.
Francois Hagnere
Jun 10th, 2010
Thank you MJ, I agree with you. Cheers my friend.
William2010
Jul 26th, 2010
Hmmm very interesting, and liked the pictures