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Soleb Temple

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Soleb Temple (Sudan)

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The Temple of Soleb is one of the most magnificent monuments of Egyptian rule in Nubia, built in the 14th century BC by Pharaoh Amenhotep III. The structure was dedicated to the god Amun-Ra and the deified king himself, showing strong architectural parallels to the Luxor Temple in Egypt. Particularly impressive is the large hypostyle hall with its elegant papyrus bundle columns, some of which still stand upright today, presenting a majestic image. The reliefs on the columns and walls show detailed depictions of the Sed festival, an important royal jubilee, as well as lists of defeated peoples, making the temple a valuable historical source. Soleb was located at a strategically important point on the Nile and served as a symbol of Pharaonic power in the far south. The ruins are situated picturesquely on the western bank of the Nile today and, despite their partial destruction, remain a highlight for any visitor to ancient Nubian sites.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Feb, Mar, Nov.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C161923283234353533292318
Rain mm000000110000

📋 Practical info

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Visiting
The Soleb Temple is a well-preserved Egyptian ruin that can be visited from outside and partially inside. Entry is usually free.
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Typical hours
The temple is accessible during daylight hours, typically from sunrise to sunset. In hot months, come early.
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Photography
Photography is allowed; a permit may be needed for professional shoots. The reliefs provide excellent subjects.
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Time needed
A visit takes about one to two hours. Allow more time for a detailed look at the hieroglyphs.
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Combine with
Combine Soleb Temple with the nearby Temple of Sedeinga. The Nubian pyramids of El Kurru are also worth a trip.
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Getting there
The temple is about 500 km north of Khartoum, reachable by car or organized tour. The road is partly unpaved.
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Insider tip
Visit the temple in the late afternoon when the light highlights the reliefs beautifully. Bring insect repellent and water.

Geography

Coordinates
20.43720, 30.33470

Facts

  • Pharaoh Amenhotep III ruled from approximately 1388 to 1351 BC.
  • The temple was designed by the architect Amenhotep, son of Hapu.
  • Two famous red granite lions from Soleb are now in the British Museum.
  • The reliefs contain one of the earliest mentions of the 'Shasu' nomads.
  • Soleb was the northernmost of Amenhotep III's large Nubian temples.
  • The columns have a diameter of approximately two meters.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Temple of SolebTemple of Soleb<1 km · EExplore →
SedeingaSedeinga11 km · EExplore →
Sai Island RuinsSai Island Ruins28 km · EExplore →
Sesibi TempleSesibi Temple30 km · WExplore →
SesibiSesibi31 km · WExplore →
Amara WestAmara West39 km · EExplore →
AjdabiyaAjdabiya51 km · NWExplore →
Wadi al-FarighWadi al-Farigh56 km · SWExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Soleb Temple (1)

temple d'Amon📍 landmark

The historic temple attraction features ancient column ruins dedicated to the Egyptian deity Amun.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

How old is the Soleb temple?
It dates back to the New Kingdom, around the 14th century BC.
Is the temple freely accessible?
Yes, it is located in a rural area and is not fenced off.
What transport is best?
A 4x4 vehicle is absolutely necessary for the sandy tracks.
Is there a visitor center there?
No, it is purely a ruin site with no services.
Best time for a visit?
Early in the morning to avoid the intense heat.
Soleb Temple: where is it located?
Soleb Temple is located in Sudan.
Soleb Temple: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Feb, Mar, Nov.
Soleb Temple: why is it worth visiting?
The Temple of Soleb is one of the most magnificent monuments of Egyptian rule in Nubia, built in the 14th century BC by Pharaoh Amenhotep III.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
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Nearby cities

Dongola — Soleb Temple (Sudan)
Dongola
Dongola is the capital of the Region NO state in Sudan.
Karima — Soleb Temple (Sudan)
Karima
Karima is an important settlement in the Sudanese state of Region NO.
Wadi Halfa — Soleb Temple (Sudan)
Wadi Halfa
Wadi Halfa is an important settlement in the Sudanese state of Region NO.
Ad-Dabba — Soleb Temple (Sudan)
Ad-Dabba
Ad-Dabba is an important settlement in the Sudanese state of Region NO.
Merowe — Soleb Temple (Sudan)
Merowe
Merowe is an important settlement in the Sudanese state of Region NO.
Argo — Soleb Temple (Sudan)
Argo
Argo is an important settlement in the Sudanese state of Region NO.

History & landmarks

Sesibi Temple — Soleb Temple (Sudan)
Sesibi Temple
The remains of an ancient Egyptian temple complex, originally founded by Akhenaten for the solar cult of Aten.
Western Deffufa of Kerma — Soleb Temple (Sudan)
Western Deffufa of Kerma
A massive and mysterious mud-brick structure that served as the main temple of the ancient Kerma civilization.
Old Dongola Cathedral Ruins — Soleb Temple (Sudan)
Old Dongola Cathedral Ruins
The impressive ruins of ancient churches and monasteries in the capital of the medieval Christian Kingdom of Makuria.
Amun Temple of Jebel Barkal — Soleb Temple (Sudan)
Amun Temple of Jebel Barkal
A massive temple complex at the foot of the sacred Jebel Barkal mountain, serving as the spiritual center of the ancient Kingdom of Kush.
El-Kurru Necropolis — Soleb Temple (Sudan)
El-Kurru Necropolis
One of the oldest burial sites of the Nubian kings, where pharaohs of the 25th Egyptian Dynasty, including King Piye, were laid to rest.
Nuri Pyramids — Soleb Temple (Sudan)
Nuri Pyramids
A significant cemetery featuring the largest pyramids in Nubia, serving as the final resting place for King Taharqa and his successors.

More places

Temple of Soleb — Soleb Temple (Sudan)
Temple of Soleb
A magnificent Egyptian temple built by Amenhotep III in present-day Sudan.
Sedeinga — Soleb Temple (Sudan)
Sedeinga
Known for the temple of Tiye, wife of Amenhotep III, and numerous small Nubian pyramids.
Sai Island Ruins — Soleb Temple (Sudan)
Sai Island Ruins
The island hosts prehistoric sites, ancient Egyptian temples, and remains of an Ottoman fortress.
Sesibi — Soleb Temple (Sudan)
Sesibi
An ancient Egyptian settlement and temple complex on the west bank of the Nile, founded by Akhenaton.
Amara West — Soleb Temple (Sudan)
Amara West
A significant administrative city of the New Kingdom in occupied Nubia.
Tombos — Soleb Temple (Sudan)
Tombos
An ancient quarry at the Third Cataract of the Nile with inscriptions and an unfinished statue.
Kerma — Soleb Temple (Sudan)
Kerma
One of the oldest and largest archaeological centers in Nubia, known for the Deffufa structures.
Western Deffufa — Soleb Temple (Sudan)
Western Deffufa
The massive center of the ancient city of Kerma, consisting of mud bricks and temple structures.