Temple of Debod

The Temple of Debod is a real Egyptian temple standing in a Madrid park, a surprise to many first-time visitors. It was built in Upper Nubia, in the south of Egypt, close to the first cataract of the Nile near Aswan. Construction began in the second century BC under King Adijalamani of Meroë, who raised a small chapel to the god Amun, and the work was extended in the Ptolemaic period and completed under Roman emperors including Augustus and Tiberius, who also dedicated parts of it to the goddess Isis. Carved reliefs on the stone show rulers making offerings to the gods.

Its presence in Madrid is the result of a mid-twentieth-century rescue operation. When the Aswan High Dam threatened to flood the Nile valley and drown the monuments of Nubia, UNESCO organised an international campaign to save them. Spain helped with the rescue work, notably at Abu Simbel, and in thanks Egypt gave the temple to Spain in 1968. The stones were dismantled, shipped to Madrid and rebuilt in the Parque del Cuartel de la Montaña, near the Plaza de España, where it opened to the public in the early 1970s. The setting uses the original orientation, so the entrance faces east.

The temple is small but photogenic. Three stone gateways stand in a line at the front, framing a reflecting pool, and the temple itself rises behind them. The interior consists of a few chambers with carved reliefs, an offering chapel and a room with an exhibition on the history of the monument, how it was moved and the culture of ancient Nubia. The stone has a warm tone that deepens as the light drops.

The temple is best known for sunset. In the evening, the sky turns orange and pink behind the gateways, and the pool reflects the scene, which draws crowds of locals and visitors. Arrive early for a good place to stand, and expect a lively atmosphere on warm days.

The park around it has paths, lawns and views over the Casa de Campo and the western edge of the city, so it is easy to pair with the Royal Palace of Madrid, the Plaza de España and the Gran Vía. Entry to the exterior is free. Interior access follows its own schedule and sometimes has queues, so check the current arrangements on the day.