Three Rescued Monuments, Three Nubian Stories
New Amada gathers three monuments moved from different places threatened by the waters of Lake Nasser. The oldest is the Temple of Amada, begun under Thutmose III and Amenhotep II and dedicated to Amun-Re and Re-Horakhty. Its modest exterior protects some of Nubia’s finest surviving painted reliefs.
The nearby Temple of Derr was built by Ramesses II. Originally cut into the eastern bank of the Nile, it led through pillared halls to a triple sanctuary dedicated to Amun-Re, Ptah, Re-Horakhty and the deified king. Its plan and decoration recall Ramesses’ much larger temple at Abu Simbel.
The Tomb of Pennut preserves the private funerary world of a senior official serving Ramesses VI. UNESCO’s rescue campaign moved all three monuments to higher ground. Amada was especially challenging: rather than cutting apart its fragile painted interior, engineers shifted much of the temple as a reinforced unit along rails.
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Nine Distinct Highlights of New Amada
Explore nine genuinely different features across the Temple of Amada, Temple of Derr and Tomb of Pennut.
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Plan a Better New Amada Visit
Prepare for a remote stop where delicate interior color is the greatest reward.
Use a Lake Nasser Itinerary
New Amada is remote and normally part of a cruise route.
Allow 2–3 Hours
Visit all three monuments without rushing the interiors.
Prioritize Amada’s Color
Give the painted inner rooms time for close observation.
Amada, Derr, Then Pennut
Move from royal temples to a private funerary chapel.
Water, Hat & Torch
A small light helps with darker interior details.
Never Touch Pigment
Follow flash restrictions around delicate painted reliefs.
Expect Steps & Sand
Uneven terrain and thresholds may limit mobility.
Reconfirm Landing
Cruise schedules and site access arrangements may change.
Discover New Amada with a Private Egyptologist
Connect three dynasties, three monuments and one of the rescue campaign’s greatest engineering stories.
Remarkable Facts About New Amada
One Complex
Amada, Derr and Pennut now share one rescued setting.
Temple of Amada
Amada is among the oldest surviving Egyptian temples in Nubia.
Temple of Derr
The rock-cut temple recalls the sacred program of Abu Simbel.
Amada’s Journey
Engineers shifted the reinforced temple to higher ground on rails.
Experience New Amada on a Deeper Egypt Route
More Rescued Nubian Monuments
Continue across Lake Nasser and New Kalabsha with four ETC guides.
Wadi El-Sebua Temple Complex
Explore the relocated temples of Wadi El-Sebua, Dakka and Maharraqa.
Explore →
New Amada Temple Complex Visitor Questions
Clear answers for exploring Amada, Derr and the Tomb of Pennut.
What is New Amada Temple Complex?
It is a relocated Lake Nasser site containing the Temple of Amada, Temple of Derr and Tomb of Pennut.
Why is the Temple of Amada important?
It is among the oldest surviving temples in Nubia and preserves exceptionally fine painted 18th-Dynasty reliefs.
Who built the Temple of Amada?
Construction began under Thutmose III and continued under Amenhotep II and Thutmose IV, with later restoration and decoration.
Who built the Temple of Derr?
Ramesses II built the rock-cut Temple of Derr and dedicated it to major solar and state gods as well as his deified form.
Who was Pennut?
Pennut was a senior official in Lower Nubia during the reign of Ramesses VI. His decorated tomb was moved from Aniba.
Why were the monuments relocated?
Their original locations were threatened by the rising waters created by the Aswan High Dam and Lake Nasser.
How was the Temple of Amada moved?
To protect its delicate painted reliefs, much of the temple was reinforced and transported as a unit along rails to higher ground.
Is New Amada part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Yes. The monuments belong to the Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae World Heritage area.
How long should I spend at New Amada?
Allow around two to three hours to see all three monuments carefully.
How do visitors reach New Amada?
It is normally visited within a Lake Nasser cruise or specially arranged route. Confirm the current itinerary before travel.