What Trajan's Kiosk is
Trajan's Kiosk is a pavilion on the island of Agilkia, one of the buildings of the Philae temple complex. It has no solid walls. A row of columns carries the structure, and today there is no roof. Signs of an earlier wooden roof exist.
It is named after the Roman emperor Trajan, who ruled from 98 to 117 AD. The name does not prove that the whole building went up during his reign. Older building material may be part of it. Treat the name as a label, not as a construction date.
If you have not planned the boat and the entry yet, begin with the page on Philae temple tickets.
What it was for
A pavilion for a sacred boat.
The common reading is that the kiosk served as a shrine for the processional barque, the sacred boat that carried a god's image during festivals. That makes it a stop for a ceremony, not a home. People also know it as the "Pharaoh's Bed". The nickname is widely used, but it is only a nickname. The kiosk is not a palace and not a bed in the literal sense.
The measurements above are approximate. Use them for a feel of the scale.
Our pick: Philae with entry tickets
Trajan's Kiosk is part of the Philae visit; this tour includes the entry tickets and a guide.
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Philae tours from Aswan
Guided trips to Philae and its kiosk, with live prices and availability.
Seeing Trajan's Kiosk on your visit
The kiosk is one of the buildings you pass on the island, together with the pylons, the birth house and the Hathor temple. From a distance you see the open frame of columns. From close by, look up at the capitals.
Do not plan on going inside or on climbing anywhere. Access to individual areas is not guaranteed on any given day, so enjoy the pavilion from outside and ask at the entrance if you hope for more.
- Step back for the full frame of columns, then walk close for the capitals.
- Photograph the kiosk together with the water or the sky to show its open structure.
- Leave time for the main temple and the Hathor temple afterwards.
Three different buildings, not one
Do not mix them up.
| Building | Date | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Trajan's Kiosk | Named for Trajan, 98–117 AD | Open pavilion with 14 columns, interpreted as a barque shrine |
| Kiosk of Nectanebo I | Reign 380–362 BC | A much earlier kiosk, so the date applies to this building only |
| Hadrian's Gate | – | A gate with depictions of the Osiris myth |
The Isis temple itself was begun under Ptolemy II. Do not read a single date across the whole island. The complex has many parts from different periods, which the history of Philae sorts out. For the story told on the walls, see the page on Isis and Osiris.
The kiosk before the move
The temples once stood on the original island of Philae, which is now flooded, before they were rebuilt on Agilkia. The Agilkia page tells how that happened.
Practical tips
Making the most of the pavilion.
Timing
Philae is open daily 07:00–16:00, with last entry at 15:00. Entry for foreign adults is EGP 550 in 2026, students EGP 275. The boat is a separate cost.
Photos
Phone photos are free. Do not use flash inside rooms. Drones need a permit from the Ministry of Defence.
Combine with the rest
Allow time for the main temple, the birth house and the Hathor temple as well.
If you want to do Philae in the evening, the sound and light show has its own times and tickets.
Trajan's Kiosk: frequently asked questions
Why is it called the Pharaoh's Bed?
It is a nickname for the pavilion. The building is not a bed and not a palace. It is read as a shrine for the sacred boat.
Did Trajan build it?
The kiosk carries his name, and he ruled from 98 to 117 AD. That does not prove that the whole building was built in his reign. Older building material may be part of it.
How big is Trajan's Kiosk?
The footprint is about 15 × 20 m and the height 15.85 m, with 14 columns. These are approximate values.
Can I go inside Trajan's Kiosk?
Do not count on it. Access to individual areas is not guaranteed on any given day, so ask at the entrance and enjoy the view from outside.
Is it the same building as the Kiosk of Nectanebo I?
No. The Kiosk of Nectanebo I dates to his reign, 380 to 362 BC, much earlier than Trajan, who ruled from 98 to 117 AD.