The original temple known in ancient times Talmis, was founded around 1450 BC by Amenhotep II son of Thotmes III the seventh pharaoh of the eightieth dynasty during the “New Egyptian Empire” period whose pharaohs expanded their Empire to this region.
Later rebuilt by the Romans, about 20 BC when Agustus Ruled Rome. But the construction style is typical Egyptian but has strong influence from the Ptolemaic period. Being farther than the first cataract it was a Nubian temple. Certainly that by its dimensions this is one of the biggest sacred complex maintained in good conditions that belong to the Nubian - Egyptian period therefore one of the greatest achievement done concerning the works of salvage when the Naser Lake was under construction.
Kalabsha was a temple consecrated to fertility deities, the principal god was Mandulis (Marul in its original language) a Nubian sun god of similar attributes as the Egypt god Heru or the god Greek Apollo a solar divine being of the their mythology.
Mandulis for being included as a higher god into the Egyptian religious system of that region, he also was related to Isis an Osiris therefore also was represented in similar form than the Egyptian god of resurrection, at times was represented as a man with ram horns and ostrich feathers on top, some times young others as an old man. The influence of this god in the area apparently lasted only under the Roman influence.
In the wall of this temple can be seen also a great number of Egyptian deities like their gods Min, Khnum, Isis, Thoth and most of the allegories and ritual of the ancient Egyptian religion and mythology as well execution of their enemies a theme common in most of the Egyptian ancient temples, as well are many rooms dedicated to gods that have false doors as in other sacred places.
In the area there are a couple of small temples including the Kiosk of Qertassi or Kertassi, nearby is also Beit al-Wali and what is left of an ancient Christian church.
At the entrance at the left side there is also a temple consecrated to the Egyptian goddess Hathor facing to a magnificent view of the lake, with its classical columns ornamented by her four faces of her looking at he four cardinal points. Egyptian gods and Nubian gods are totally integrated in a way that is not notorious that there is a foreign influence to the Egyptian giving the impression that it is an Egyptian temple.
