These three temples were saved as part of the massive UNESCO effort to preserve as much of the legacy of ancient Egypt as possible from the waters rising behind the High Dam. Transplanted from their original locations, they are now located on an island just south of the High Dam.

Kalabsha was originally built on a stretch of narrow river about 35km (22 miles) to the south known as Bab al Kalabsha; this is the largest and best preserved of the three. It was moved here by a team of West German engineers. It is, like the Temple of Horus at Edfu, a Ptolemaic copy of an older structure.

Qirtassi is a single-room kiosk with little decoration that dates to either the Ptolemaic or the Roman period. It was originally on a site about 10km (6 1/4 miles) north of Bab al Kalabsha.

Beit al Wali is the only pre-Ptolemaic building here. This temple was dedicated to Ramses II, and the walls are covered with illustrations of the Pharaoh demonstrating his military superiority. The tribute of the Nubians, which includes leopards and giraffes, is particularly lovely.

To get to the island, you need to pick up a boat from the dock between the dam and the Soviet-Egyptian friendship monument. Expect to pay LE40 to LE50 ($7.25-$9.10/£3.70-£4.60).