Tell me about... Egyptians in Madrid!?

Yes, you heard that right! In this week’s post, we’re diving into the fascinating story of the Temple of Debod, a little piece of Egypt you can learn about on one of our Madrid walking tours. Curious how an ancient Egyptian temple ended up in the center of Madrid? Let’s dig in!

Reflection of the Temple of Debod at Twilight

First off, why is there an Egyptian temple in Madrid? To answer that, we need to go back to the 1960s in Egypt. The government decided to stop the constant flooding in Aswan caused by the rising Nile River, so they began building a dam. While this was great for modern Egypt, it spelled trouble for the ancient temples in the area—especially around Abu Simbel, which was about to be submerged. Naturally, archaeologists were freaking out about losing priceless relics from ancient Egyptian history. In comes UNESCO, launching a rescue mission to save more than 20 monuments. Spain stepped in to help, and as a big thank you, Egypt gifted the Temple of Debod to Madrid.

Now, about the temple itself: its construction began in the 2nd century B.C., making it the oldest structure in the center of Madrid (yep, it’s been around for a while!). Although we can’t be 100% sure, it’s believed to have been dedicated to Amun, one of Egypt’s major deities. And while Madrid is packed with amazing history, the Temple of Debod offers something truly unique—a chance to travel back in time without ever leaving Spain. Plus, perched on a small hill near the Royal Palace, it’s also one of the best spots in Madrid to catch a stunning sunset.

Temple of Debod at Sunset in Madrid

Here are some fun facts to impress your friends during your next tour:

• The temple was dismantled in 1961, but it didn’t arrive in Spain until June 18th, 1970.

• The small pond around the temple mimics the Nile River, which once ran alongside the temple in its original location.

• More than 1,300 crates of stone were shipped from Egypt to Spain!

• The temple was abandoned in the 6th century before being brought back to life in Madrid.

• It took over 80 trucks to transport the temple from the coast to its current spot in the center of Madrid.

  
  

So, next time you’re exploring the city, make sure to stop by the Temple of Debod—one of the most unexpected yet incredible attractions in Madrid. Whether you’re a history buff or just looking for the best spots in Madrid for a sunset, this ancient treasure is not to be missed!