… but what is an Egyptian temple doing in Madrid?

Temple of Debod: gift from Egypt to Spain

The Temple of Debod is an Egyptian temple donated to Spain in 1968 in compensation for Spanish aid following the international appeal made by UNESCO to save the temples of Nubia, including Abu Simbel,

Egypt donated four of the saved temples to different collaborating nations: Dendur (USA), Ellesiya (Italy), Taffaa (Netherlands) and Debod (Spain). Among those saved and in danger of disappearing due to the construction of the Aswan High Dam.

History of the Temple of Debod

The temple is about 2,200 years old. Its oldest nucleus was erected under Pharaoh Ptolemy IV and decorated by the Nubian king Adijalamani around 180 BC. and is dedicated to Amón de Debod and Isis. It has finishes from the Ptolemaic and Roman-Imperial eras (from the 1st century BC to the 2nd century AD).

It was placed in such a way as to preserve approximately its original orientation and is located near the Plaza de España and therefore the Gran Via. For more information on schedules and rates, we leave you this link to the website of the Madrid City Council.

What to see near the Temple of Debod

Plaza de España and Gran Vía are within reach, from there you can go to Puerta del Sol and see many of the 10 most visited places in Madrid or this plan to visit Madrid in one day if you want to know more about the surroundings from the temple.

You might also be interested in these tips for your first visit to Madrid or some of the places you should not miss on your second visit to Madrid.

Our accommodations in Madrid

We have apartments for months in the Centro area, the apartments for months in the Retiro area and as a quieter and less touristy area you can consider the apartments for months in the Salamanca district.

For a short stay we have apartments for days next to Calle Serrano and Paseo de la Castellana, in the Escultor Building and accommodation by category: list of apartments for companies or our l ist of apartments for students.