Description
The Nubian communities who lived along the Nile for thousands of years lost their homes, land and much of their rich culture to the dams and lake, but many of the ancient monuments were relocated to drier ground, with help from the international community. These include the little visited temple of Mandulis at Kalabsha. This healing temple, dedicated to the Nubian fertility god Marul (Mandulis in Greek), was mostly rebuilt during the Ptolematic-Roman period, which is obvious from the blend of styles on the fine wall carvings. Next door is the photogenic Ptolemaic Kiosk of Kertassi and the small rock-hewn temple of Beit al wali. This was built in honour of Ramses II, who is shown on the colourful reliefs in a battle with the rebellious Nubians. The interesting but more remote temple groups of Wadi al Sebua, Dakka and Amada and the fortress site of Qasr Ibrim can only be visited on a luxury cruise, although new roads are being built. Fishing trips are increasingly popular on the blue waters of the lake, which is home to a few crocodiles, the elusice tiger fish and the Nile perch one of the largest freshwater fish.
