Nadura Temple
Vivian, Cassandra (2000) The Western Deserts of Egypt, p. 76:
"The Temple of Nadura, the lookout, is visible atop a 133 meter (425 foot) hill and, as its name implies, commands a superb view from this strategic position. Dating from 138-161, during the reign of Caesar Antoninus, it is typical of the temple/forts which were built to protect the oases. The outside wall has disappeared in places. The interior contains a large open space with a sandstone temple with hieroglyphic inscriptions in the center. It was later used as a Turkish fortress. The main entrance to the complex is through a sandstone gate in the southern wall with a smaller entrance in the northern wall. Within the wall stood the temple, with three rooms. A church once stood within the enclosure wall, but outside the temple itself. Near the bottom of the hill toward Hibis is a second, uninscribed temple, also Roman.
Getting There: Nadura is south-east of the Temple of Hibis and 1.5 kilometers (1 mile) north of the tourist information office at Qasr Kharga. Turn right (south) on the paved road and park at the base of the mountain.
Enjoy the climb!"
See http://www.yale.edu/egyptology/nadura for recent exploration of this site by Yale University and a good bibliography.
"The Temple of Nadura, the lookout, is visible atop a 133 meter (425 foot) hill and, as its name implies, commands a superb view from this strategic position. Dating from 138-161, during the reign of Caesar Antoninus, it is typical of the temple/forts which were built to protect the oases. The outside wall has disappeared in places. The interior contains a large open space with a sandstone temple with hieroglyphic inscriptions in the center. It was later used as a Turkish fortress. The main entrance to the complex is through a sandstone gate in the southern wall with a smaller entrance in the northern wall. Within the wall stood the temple, with three rooms. A church once stood within the enclosure wall, but outside the temple itself. Near the bottom of the hill toward Hibis is a second, uninscribed temple, also Roman.
Getting There: Nadura is south-east of the Temple of Hibis and 1.5 kilometers (1 mile) north of the tourist information office at Qasr Kharga. Turn right (south) on the paved road and park at the base of the mountain.
Enjoy the climb!"
See http://www.yale.edu/egyptology/nadura for recent exploration of this site by Yale University and a good bibliography.
The Nadura temple and nearby archaeology are probably not worth the trek, so
here are some pictures from the road. They are of various sites in the area.
here are some pictures from the road. They are of various sites in the area.
Page last updated, 7th June, 2011