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Two large seated statues of ancient Egyptian pharaohs flank a reflecting pool, with the Temple of Dendur in the background and light coming in from a tall wall of windows inside The Met.

The Temple of Dendur: Celebrating 50 Years at The Met

On April 28, 1967, United States President Lyndon B. Johnson awarded an ancient Egyptian temple built in the first century BCE—a gift from Egypt to the United States—to The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Today the structure, the Temple of Dendur, is one of the iconic and most beloved works of art at The Met.

In celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of this momentous award, staff in the Departments of Egyptian Art and Objects Conservation have written new essays covering various aspects of the temple—including the temple's cult and decoration; its architecture; representations of the temple in nineteenth-century art and photography; cleaning and conservation of the structure; and how this beloved icon made its way from Egypt to the Museum.

Essays

Learn more about the temple—including the temple's cult and decoration; its architecture; representations of the temple in 19th-century art and photography; cleaning and conservation of the structure; and how this beloved icon made its way from Egypt to the Museum.

Top section of a letter dated April 28, 1967 from Lyndon B Johnson on White House stationery to Director Thomas Hoving that the Temple of Dendur was awarded to The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
READ
A Monumental Gift to The Met
Curator Diana Craig Patch discusses how the Temple of Dendur and other monuments of Nubia were saved, and how the temple made its way to The Met.
Black and white photograph of the Temple of Dendur on the Nile
READ
The Temple of Dendur: Architecture and Ritual
Curator Adela Oppenheim focuses on the architecture of The Temple of Dendur as a setting for the cultic worship of Isis.
Detail of temple wall depicting Augustus (right) burning incense and pouring milk for the god Osiris (center) and the goddess Isis (left).
READ
The Temple’s Cult and Decoration
Associate Curator Isabel Stünkel discusses the reliefs on the inner and outer walls of the Temple of Dendur, with special attention to the offering scenes.
The First Cataract at Aswan in Lower Nubia (modern Egypt). Photo by Gustavo Camps
READ
The Land of Nubia
Curators Janice Kamrin and Adela Oppenheim discuss the history of Nubia, the original location of the Temple of Dendur.
A drawing of the Temple of Dendur, Nubia, by David Roberts
READ
Early Representations of the Temple
Catharine H. Roehrig, Curator, Department of Egyptian Art discusses the early representations of the Temple of Dendur by Europeans.
Black and white photograph of two people joining fragments of a block from the Temple of Dendur prior to its reassembly in the 1970s
READ
Conserving the Temple: A History
Anna Serotta, Assistant Conservator, Department of Objects Conservation discusses the history of cleaning and conservation of the Temple of Dendur
Marble portrait of the emperor Augustus
Timeline of Art History
Roman Egypt
The conquest of Egypt and its incorporation into the Roman empire inaugurated a new fascination with its ancient culture.
A Cheltic terret, or rein guide
Timeline of Art History
Art of the Roman Provinces, 1–500 A.D.
Art demonstrates both the scope and the limits of Roman influence, for the circulation of materials, methods, objects, and art forms created a certain cultural unity, and yet in each place, the persistence of local customs ensured the survival of cultural diversity.
Textile panel depicting the triumph of Dionysos
Timeline of Art History
Egypt, 1–500 A.D.

Cultural Events at the Temple of Dendur

From choral music to jazz, indie rock, and even a chamber opera based on the history of the temple itself, the Temple of Dendur continues to provide a one-of-a-kind backdrop to the Museum's rich public programming.

A quartet performing in the Temple of Dendur
WATCH
Quartet for the End of Time
New York Philharmonic’s principal players Carter Brey and Anthony McGill are joined by pianist Inon Barnatan and former New York Philharmonic music director Alan Gilbert for a nuanced and heart-wrenching performance of Olivier Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time.
Two people holding musical instruments, kneeling on platforms over the reflecting pool in the Temple of Dendur
WATCH
Alarm Will Sound: I Was Here I Was I
Inspired in part by the writings of Victorian adventurer Amelia Edwards, I Was Here I Was I is an immersive experience, using spoken text, song, and music.
Man wearing a black beret playing the saxophone onstage
WATCH
Charles Lloyd New Quartet and Friends at The Temple of Dendur
In celebration of his seventy-fifth birthday, Charles Lloyd performs a program at the Temple of Dendur that marshals the creativity of his quartet and special guest singer Maria Farantouri.
Three people performing music onstage; a woman plays keyboards on the left, a man plays drums on the right, and a woman stands center stage playing a guitar and singing
WATCH
Spectrum Presents: St. Vincent
In partnership with Spin Magazine, Spectrum welcomed St. Vincent to the Temple of Dendur for a one-time only concert.
Three people stand at a podium on stage while the woman on the left speaks into a microphone.
WATCH
The Models of Versailles 1973 Tribute Luncheon
The Met's Multicultural Audience Development Initiative and The Costume Institute honored eleven models of color who walked the runway for five American designers in 1973 as they faced off against five French designers at Versailles, forever altering the way fashion was presented on the global stage.

Keep Exploring

The Temple of Dendur at The Met Museum
LISTEN
Audio Guide
Listen to experts discuss the temple’s history, architecture, and detailed reliefs.
A 360° view of the Temple of Dendur
WATCH
The Met 360° Project
Immerse yourself in this 360° video capturing dawn to dusk in the Temple of Dendur.
Visitors viewing a colorful projection on the wall of the Temple of Dendur at The Metropolitan Museum of Art
READ
Color the Temple
Get a behind-the-scenes look at Color the Temple, a tool that uses projected light to digitally restore color on The Temple of Dendur.
Marble sculpture of a girl with her eyes closed, holding her hand up to her ear as if to listen
LISTEN
The Memory Palace—Episode 5: Temple
MetLiveArts artist in residence and master storyteller Nate DiMeo traces the history of the Temple of Dendur and highlights some of the many characters involved in bringing the Egyptian icon to The Met.

Kids and Familes

Whimsically illustrated map of The Metropolitan Museum of Art showing the Temple of Dendur
EXPLORE
#MetKids Map
See the Temple of Dendur on the #MetKids map. Find a fun fact. Hear kids ask an Egyptologist questions about the temple. Make art inspired by this monument.
A watercolor and graphite painting of an Egyptian Temple with two distinct buildings with a sandy ground and blue sky background.
READ
Stories in Stone: How an Egyptian Temple Tells Its Story
By looking closely at the Temple of Dendur, we can learn things about the way the temple was used in ancient Egypt and about moments in Egyptian history.
A young boy with dark, spiky hair and a red shirt is speaking while standing in front of a stone wall.
WATCH
#MetKids—How Did They Get All This Stuff into the Museum?
Art comes in all shapes and sizes. Have you ever wondered how The Met fits it inside the building? Find out with Tobias, age 9.
Tk
EXPLORE
Family Guide: Explore the Temple of Dendur
Discover the only ancient Egyptian temple in the United States! Use this guide to find out who built it and how it got here. Look closely at the temple and talk about what you see, think, and imagine with family and friends.