The Temple of Debod, the oldest building in Madrid.

The Temple of Debod is a 2nd century BC Egyptian temple located in Madrid, Spain. It is often known as the oldest building in Madrid, and it is not a lie although its original location is now submerged after the construction of the Aswan Dam. It was built on the island of Philé by the Kushite kings Adijalamani and Taharqa in honor of the gods Amun, Isis and Hathor. The temple was moved to Madrid in 1968 as a gift from the Egyptian government to Spain, in gratitude for Spanish help in the conservation of the Nubian temples, which were threatened by the construction of the Aswan Dam.

Original location of the Temple of Debod

The temple of Debod was built on the island of Philae in Nubia. It was founded by the Kushites in the 2nd century BC and was an important religious center during the Kushite period. The temple was dedicated to the gods Amun, Isis and Hathor. Amun was the chief god of the Egyptian pantheon, Isis was the goddess of magic and motherhood, and Hathor was the goddess of love and beauty.

The temple of Debod is a sandstone building. It has a rectangular floor plan and has a façade that is 18 meters wide and 11 meters high. The façade is decorated with reliefs representing the gods Amun, Isis and Hathor, as well as the Kushite kings Adijalamani and Taharqa.

The transfer, a gift from Egypt to Spain

In 1960, the Egyptian government decided to move the Debod temple to Spain. The decision was made due to the construction of the Aswan Dam, which was going to flood the temple. The temple was moved to Madrid in 1968 and rebuilt in the Parque del Oeste. After this it was inaugurated in 1970 and is one of the most visited monuments in Madrid.

Since then, the Temple of Debod has been a symbol of the friendship between Spain and Egypt. It is a reminder of the cooperation between the two countries for the conservation of cultural heritage. The temple is also a symbol of Egypt's cultural wealth and its importance in human history.