Dating from 180BC, this is an unusual temple because it is duplicated, mirroring itself on either side of a central axis. This is because it was dedicated to two gods: Sobek, god of fertility and creator of the world along with Hathor and Khonsu, and also Horus, and each needed their own set of rooms. Sobek was the crocodile god so, of course, crocodiles were mummified for him. Some of the hundreds that have been discovered nearby are now on display in the temple.
Time, the Nile River, earthquakes and later builders taking the stone for other buildings, have all taken a toll on this building. The surrounding town of Kom Ombo is now home to many of the Nubians displaced by the flooding to make Lake Nasser.
The temple is 2.5 miles (4km) from the town of Kom Ombo on the River Nile, 28 miles (45km) north of Aswan. Organized tour or taxi from Aswan or Luxor are the best ways to get there. Many tours between Aswan and Luxor stop there, be they on bus, tourist train or felucca boat.
