Ancient Egyptian temple complex on the Nile's east bank, built during Ptolemaic times. Unusual double design honors two gods: Sobek the crocodile god and Horus the falcon god.
In Kom Ombo, 48 kilometers north of Aswan, you can walk through a 2,000-year-old temple with two parallel sanctuaries, examine ancient surgical instruments carved into temple walls, and see mummified crocodiles in the local museum. This agricultural town sits along the Nile River, where sugar cane fields stretch across the landscape, continuing an agricultural tradition that dates back to ancient Egypt.
Exploring the Double Temple
The Temple of Kom Ombo stands on the eastern bank of the Nile, its limestone columns visible against the skyline. When you enter, you'll notice how the temple splits into two identical halves - the western side belongs to Haroeris, the falcon god, while the eastern side honors Sobek, the crocodile god. Look for the detailed wall carvings showing Ptolemaic kings making offerings to these deities, and don't miss the unusual medical carvings that depict ancient Egyptian surgical tools.
Inside the Temple Complex
Your path through the temple takes you first through a forecourt where 16 column bases remain. The outer hypostyle hall contains 10 papyrus columns topped with detailed floral capitals. On the walls, you'll spot scenes of Ptolemy XII receiving his crown from the goddesses Nekhbet and Wadjet. Continue through three antechambers to reach the twin sanctuaries, where ancient priests once performed parallel ceremonies for both gods.
The Crocodile Museum
Next to the temple, step into the Crocodile Museum to see mummified crocodiles excavated from nearby sites. The exhibits explain how ancient Egyptians viewed these animals as sacred and connected them to the god Sobek. You'll find crocodile mummies of different sizes displayed under bright lights, along with artifacts from ancient crocodile worship ceremonies.
Getting to Kom Ombo
Most people visit Kom Ombo during a Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan. If you're traveling independently, take a taxi from Aswan (48 km) or Luxor (168 km). Many travelers combine their Kom Ombo visit with the temples at Edfu and Esna while traveling between these cities.
Modern Kom Ombo
Today's Kom Ombo has grown from its roots as a trading post into an agricultural center of 60,000 people. Egyptian and Nubian residents live among fields of sugar cane and grain, using irrigation methods that tap into the same Nile waters that attracted the ancient temple builders. The farming community maintains its agricultural focus while supporting local tourism around the temple complex.
