On a visit to Madrid you can expect tapas, sangria, maybe even some flamenco dancing, and… a stroll through an ancient Egyptian temple?
Yes, that’s right, There’s an Ancient Egyptian temple in Madrid, located in the heart of the city. The Templo de Debod is a 4th-century B.C. Ptolemaic temple reconstructed atop a hill. This remarkable temple is located in the Parque Oeste.
An Ancient Egyptian Temple in Madrid
In 1960, several Egyptian temples, monuments and historic sites were facing flooding as the Great Dam of Aswan changed the water levels of the Nile. UNESCO made a plea to the world to help save these historical wonders. Spain, among others, answered the call. In 1968, as a gift for its support, Egypt donated the temple of Debod to Spain.
The Temple of Dendur, which sits in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City was also a gift from the Egyptian state during this time period.
A rare opportunity to view Egyptian architecture outside of its motherland, visitors can enter the temple and view several small exhibits that depict the temple’s history and get upclose to hieroglyphics.
A walk around the temple revels stunning views of Casa de Campo, a nearby park with hiking trails, and is a marvel at sunset.
My favorite part of the Templo de Debod is that visitors can get upclose to the ancient stones to take in the details. Each crack in the stone, hieroglyphic and shape of the arches reveals something special about Ancient Egypt.
