Visit an ancient Egyptian temple in Parque del Oeste in Madrid.
Ancient Egypt in Modern Madrid
Five minutes northwest of Plazade Espana in Madrid, a walk through Parque del Oeste not only offers beautiful views of the city, but also an unexpected surprise for any traveler.
While a trip to Madrid must include a visit to Palacio Real, Gran Via, and Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas, an Egyptian Temple can be found in the center of the city that offers a different perspective of the history of Spain.
A Gift from Egypt to Spain
Built 2,200 years ago, Temple of Debod, or Templo de Debod, was donated to Spain by the Republic of Egypt in 1968. It was originally built in the Nubian town of Debod in honor of the gods Amon and Isis. The original structure was ordered to be built by King Meroe Adijalamani, and kings of the Ptolemaic dynasty expanded the chapel by adding chambers to the temple. Even Roman emperors like Augustus helped complete the Egyptian temple’s construction.
In 1960, the construction of the Great Dam of Aswan threatened the Temple of Debod. UNESCO made an international plea to help save any archaeological or historic monuments on or near the site of the dam. Spain responded by rescuing the temples of Abu Simbel in Nambia, and in 1968 the Egyptian government thanked Spain by donating the Temple of Debod in return.
A Temple Rebuilt
It was rebuilt in Parque del Oeste, and reopened to the public in 1972. The temple is not large or tall, but it is impressive. It is nestled in a beautiful park that seems far from the city. Yet the skyline of Madrid can be seen from Parque del Oeste, and high rises from across the street are reflected in the water that surrounds the temple.
It’s what is inside the temple that is the most impressive, especially for a tourist that stumbles upon the ancient structure with no idea of what he or she is about to discover. Entering the Temple of Debod, you are greeted by a wall of Egyptian pharaohs and hieroglyphics. Surprisingly, photos are allowed without flash, so be sure to bring your camera.
The room to the left of the temple holds the remains to an old entrance or doorway. Straight across from the temple’s main entrance is a hallway with stone walls etched with ancient hieroglyphics. The room is dark, with spotlights visitors can control to see well. A description is provided for the hieroglyphics, but it is only in Spanish.
This is the treasure of the Temple of Debod—what has survived 2,200 years and tells the story of ancient Egypt. It is truly amazing to see a part of the rich ancient Egyptian civilization that survives today, all in a trip to Madrid.
