Temple of Alexander the Great

The Temple of Alexander the Great is one of the most historically significant structures in Bahariya. Built on the orders of Alexander himself in 332-331 BC and confirmed as his construction by the inscriptions on its walls, this small sanctuary is one of the few surviving physical traces of Alexander's time in Egypt. The pharaonic-style carvings show Alexander making offerings to the Egyptian gods, presented in the traditional manner of Egyptian rulers — a deliberate political statement that he was the legitimate successor of the pharaohs.

The temple is located at Qarat el-Hilwah, within the town of Bawiti. It is small by Egyptian standards — what survives is fragmentary — but the confirmed Alexander connection makes it unique. Few tourists make a specific trip to see it, which means you can usually visit in relative quiet. Combined with a visit to the Antiquities Museum (where the golden mummies are displayed) and the nearby 26th Dynasty tomb of Zed-Amun-Ef-Ankh, this forms a satisfying morning itinerary covering 3,000 years of Bahariya's history.

things to do sight
A story
Alexander the Great visited Bahariya in 332-331 BC on his way from Alexandria to the Oracle of Amun at Siwa — where he was declared a son of the gods. He ordered a temple built at Bahariya and is depicted on its walls in pharaonic style, wearing the double crown of Egypt and making offerings to the gods. The temple's existence was confirmed only in the 1930s. It is one of only a handful of buildings in Egypt where Alexander's image was carved during or immediately after his lifetime.