Temple of Debod

The Temple of Debod is one of the most surprising sights in Madrid: a genuine ancient Egyptian temple standing on a hill in the city centre. It was begun in the early 2nd century BC by the Kushite king Adikhalamani, ruler of Meroë, as a small chapel dedicated to Amun and Isis, and later rulers, including Ptolemaic kings and the Roman emperors Augustus and Tiberius, extended it. It originally stood in Nubia, south of Aswan.

When the construction of the Aswan High Dam threatened to flood the monuments of Nubia, Spain helped in the international campaign to save them, particularly the temples of Abu Simbel. In gratitude, Egypt gave the Temple of Debod to Spain in 1968. It was dismantled, shipped to Madrid and rebuilt stone by stone in the Parque del Cuartel de la Montaña, part of the larger Parque del Oeste, opening to the public in 1972. The temple sits within reflecting pools and is approached through a pair of stone gateways.

Inside, the small rooms include the original chapel with carved reliefs, and the visit is short but interesting, with information on the temple's history and the rescue campaign. Entry is free, but capacity inside is limited, so booking in advance through the city council's website is recommended. The interior is closed on Mondays and opening hours change between summer and winter, so check before you go. The park around the temple is open and free at all times.

Most people come for the sunset. The terrace beside the temple looks west over the Casa de Campo and towards the Royal Palace and Almudena Cathedral, and on clear evenings the sky behind them turns orange and pink. It gets crowded at this time, especially in summer and at weekends, so arrive a little early to find a spot. The site suits couples and photographers, and children usually enjoy the idea of an Egyptian temple in the middle of Madrid.

The temple is a few minutes' walk from Plaza de España, where the metro station of the same name serves lines 2, 3 and 10, and Ventura Rodríguez metro is also close. The Teleférico cable car to the Casa de Campo leaves from the Parque del Oeste nearby, and the Royal Palace is around fifteen minutes' walk south.