Attraction Details
Overview
Temple of Ellesyia
The Temple of Ellesyia is a small rock-cut temple originally carved from a sandstone cliff face in Nubia during the reign of Pharaoh Thutmose III (c. 1479–1425 BCE), dedicated to Amun-Ra, Horus of Miam, and Satis. The temple no longer exists in Egypt: in 1966, as a gesture of gratitude for Italy’s contribution to the UNESCO Nubian monuments salvage campaign, the Egyptian government gifted the temple to Italy. It was dismantled, transported, and has been permanently installed in the Museo Egizio in Turin, where it can be visited as a fully reconstructed chamber.
The temple consists of a single rectangular sanctuary approximately 4 by 6 meters, with carved and painted walls depicting Thutmose III making offerings to the deities. Traces of original pigment are still visible in sheltered areas. Above the entrance, a lunette shows the pharaoh receiving the gift of life from the gods in a style characteristic of the early 18th Dynasty.
For travelers unable to visit the Nubian temple sites along Lake Nasser, Ellesyia in Turin provides the rare experience of standing inside a complete ancient Nubian rock-cut sanctuary. The Museo Egizio holds the largest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts outside Egypt.
History & Significance
Thutmose III built Ellesyia as part of his extensive Nubian temple construction program following his expansion of Egyptian control deep into the African continent, building or expanding sites at Semna, Kumma, Buhen, Amada, and several others.
During the UNESCO Nubian salvage campaign, Egypt offered several temples as gifts to countries that contributed significantly: the Temple of Dendur went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York; the Temple of Debod to Madrid; the Temple of Taffeh to Leiden; and Ellesyia to Turin. The dismantling and transport was completed in 1966, and the temple has been on permanent display in the Museo Egizio since 1970.
The original cliff-face site at Ellesyia in Nubia is now permanently submerged beneath Lake Nasser.
What to See
Complete Rock-Cut Sanctuary
The reconstructed sanctuary in Turin allows visitors to stand inside a complete 18th Dynasty Nubian rock-cut temple — an experience otherwise only available at Abu Simbel.
Thutmose III Reliefs
The carved walls show Thutmose III in the standard offering posture before the temple deities, in the early-18th Dynasty style characterized by slim, elegant figure proportions.
Museo Egizio Context
The temple is displayed within one of the world's greatest Egyptological museums, allowing visitors to contextualize it within a comprehensive collection of ancient Egyptian material culture.
Photo Gallery
Visitor Information
Museo Egizio: Tuesday–Sunday 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM; closed Mondays
⛔ Closed: MondaysNo dress restrictions
Photography is free
Fully accessible
💡 Visitor Tips
Location & Map
🚕 How to Get There
The Temple of Ellesyia is located in the Museo Egizio in central Turin, Italy — accessible by walking from Turin Porta Nuova station (15 minutes) or by metro (Lagrange stop).
