This excursion from Aswan will show you Egypt`s foremost engineering marvel—the massive Aswan Dam and the lake it created, Lake Nasser. You will see how, in the 20th century, mankind managed to tame the Nile, and you will learn how ancient temples were rescued from flooding. From the viewing platform, you will appreciate the scale of the dam and the lotus-shaped monument, while from the terraces of the relocated Temple of Kalabsha, dedicated to a Nubian god, you will be treated to the beautiful views of the man-made lake.
Before the construction of the Aswan High Dam, Egypt`s existence was entirely dependent on the annual, yet unpredictable, flooding of the Nile. This created enormous, often catastrophic problems:
• Destructive Floods: In years with excessively high floods, the river would overflow its banks, sweeping away villages, fields, and infrastructure, leading to famine and economic crises.
• Droughts and Famine: In years with weak floods, there was not enough water to irrigate all the land. Crops perished, which also caused famine. Civilization lived in constant fear of a bad harvest.
• One Harvest per Year: Agriculture was possible only once a year—after the flood. For the rest of the time, the fields remained dry.
• Energy Poverty: The country lacked a powerful and stable source of electricity for industrial development and urban growth.
Egypt was a hostage to the natural cycle. The economy and well-being of millions of people teetered on the brink every year due to the river`s whims. The dam became a giant project to control the elements, designed to solve these problems once and for all.
The first Aswan Dam was built by the British in 1902 and was heightened twice (1912, 1933), but it could not fully tame the river.
The Aswan High Dam
The construction of the grandiose Aswan High Dam (Saad el-Aali) became a national idea for Egypt during the presidency of Gamal Abdel Nasser.
• Dates: 1960–1970 (officially opened in 1971).
• Who built it: With the support of the Soviet Union, which provided funding, designs, equipment, and engineers.
• Scale: This is a colossal structure 3.6 km long, 980 m wide at the base, and 111 m high. For comparison, the volume of material used in the dam`s body is 17 times greater than that of the Great Pyramid of Giza.
• Power: It forms the giant reservoir—Lake Nasser—and provides Egypt with hydroelectric power (producing about 10% of the country`s total electricity), while also regulating floods and enabling year-round irrigation.
What tourists will see during the excursion to the Aswan Dam:
Viewing Platform: It offers a beautiful view of the dam`s crest, the endless expanse of Lake Nasser on one side, and the green Nile Valley on the other.
"Lotus Flower" Monument: Next to the platform stands a majestic monument in the shape of a five-petaled lotus, symbolizing Soviet-Arab friendship. It was erected in 1975 by Soviet and Egyptian builders. The petals are assembled from segments resembling giant palm leaves.
Lake Nasser — A Man-Made Sea in the Desert
From the dam, you can see Lake Nasser—one of the largest artificial reservoirs in the world.
Dimensions: It stretches for about 550 km, of which 150 km are in Sudanese territory. Its maximum width is 35 km.
Important nuance: This is not a tourist attraction in the conventional sense. No sightseeing boats cruise on it from Aswan. It is a strategic reservoir and transportation artery for luxury cruises to Abu Simbel. For tourists, the lake is a majestic, almost seascape in the middle of the desert - a symbol of humanity`s incredible power over nature.
Mandatory Stop: The Temple of Kalabsha — A Rescued Gem
Near to the Aswan Dam lies one of the pinnacles of the late Ptolemaic era - the Temple of Kalabsha, which is free to visit.
• History: This is a Roman temple, begun under Emperor Augustus around 30 BC on the site of an older structure. It is dedicated to the Nubian warrior god Mandulis (associated with Horus and Ra).
• Architecture: A classic example of late Egyptian style: a pylon, courtyard, hypostyle hall, and three sanctuaries. Elegant reliefs and columns have been preserved. Its value lies in its almost perfect state of preservation.
• The Great Relocation: Like Abu Simbel, the temple was completely dismantled and moved in 1962–63 to a site 65 meters higher to save it from the flooding zone. The operation was led by German engineers.
• The main bonus for tourists: From its terrace, you get perhaps the most beautiful and panoramic views of Lake Nasser. From here, the giant reservoir looks particularly impressive against the backdrop of ancient stone slabs.
The excursion to the Aswan Dam provides a clear understanding of modern Egypt`s greatest challenge and greatest victory. It vividly shows how the country solved its most ancient problems—it defeated the threat of famine from droughts and floods, and secured electricity and water for year-round agriculture. However, this triumph of engineering also has a flip side. The creation of Lake Nasser led to the relocation of tens of thousands of Nubians and the flooding of their historical homeland and also altered the Nile`s ecosystem.
