The Temple of Hibs
is the only temple left from the Sawi period, and it is also the oldest and largest building in the Western Desert.
It is located about 3 km north of the New Valley Governorate, and it was constructed of sandstone on a high spot that enables the viewer to perceive its importance as a sacred place and a center for the worship of the god.
This temple was constructed during the reign of Nectanebo II, the last pharaoh ruler of Ancient Egypt. It shows how civilizations can meet and leave wonders of beauty even after a period of fight.
The name Hibs is the Greek term for the ancient Egyptian word Hebt, which means plow, and it was called the temple. Named after the oasis, “Hebat” due to the fertility of the land in that area.
The temple was dedicated to many local deities in Memphis and Luxor, and it was also dedicated to some foreign gods, such as the Syrian deity "Ishtar", who was worshiped in Egypt in one of the historical eras and united with the Egyptian gods.
It became mostly associated with Amun, The temple’s walls are full of decorations from classical Theban, and shown texts that date to Persian King Darius I and Osiris, the god of the underworld are inscribed on the walls of the temple.
The temple is full of details. It underwent a massive $10 million restoration that started in 2005 and was completed this year.