Deir el-Shelwit

Deir el-Shelwit is an ancient temple on Luxor's West Bank featuring a small main building, the remains of an entry gateway, and a mud-brick wall enclosing a deep well. The site displays the basic layout of an Egyptian temple but on a more modest scale.

Construction began in the early Roman period, as shown by cartouches of emperors like Hadrian, Vespasian, and Caesar inscribed on the walls. These markings reveal that the site was used and maintained across multiple generations.

This temple honored the goddess Isis rather than the traditional gods of the region. You can sense this different religious focus when walking through the remaining structures today.

The site is located on Luxor's West Bank, just south of the major temple of Medinet Habu, making it straightforward to reach. Visitors should prepare for sun exposure and bring water when exploring the exposed ruins.

Excavations in the temple well uncovered 32 layers of pottery shards, revealing that it later served as a waste pit. This practical reuse by Coptic inhabitants shows how the site's purpose changed over time.