Kom Ombo is home to one of Egypt's most picturesque ruins, the Temple of the crocodile-god Sobek and Haroeris (Horus the Elder). The temple was built during the Ptolemaic dynasty in c180-47 BC in an elevated position overlooking the Nile, giving the site one of the most attractive of locations amongst Egypt's ancient monuments.

The temple is unique in being dedicated as a twin sanctuary to two patron gods, southern half belonged to the crocodile-headed Sobek (or Sobk) and the northern half to the falcon-headed Haroeris. The twin shrine is often referred to simply as the Temple of Sobek owing to the fame of the crocodile cult here, where live crocodiles were once kept as living embodiments of the god and to whom offerings were made. Several of these crocodiles can still be seen in mummified form in the small museum that was recently built adjacent to the site (alas no photography allowed in the museum).

The structure is less complete and more ruinous than many of the best known Egyptian temples, but this does at least make it a more picturesque, photography friendly site than some. The main core of the temple is fairly well preserved with the columns (with richly carved capitals) of the hypostyle hall and successive chambers and sanctuaries still standing at full height. The main courtyard is partially preseved but the original main facade with its pylon towers and gates has long since tumbled into the Nile as a result of erosion caused by the site's proximity to the river.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the temple is its relief decoration, with figures of the exotic, animal-headed deities and kings in unusually high relief (for Egyptian art) on every wall and pillar.

Frustratingly our arrival here had been delayed by the lengthy return from our morning excursion, thus we only managed to catch the temple in rapidly dwindling light. Conditions became quite limiting, though to see the structure illuminated in the darkness was a bonus.

For more on this fascinating temple see below:-