What is trajan's kiosk?

Trajan's Kiosk, also known as the Kiosk of Trajan, is a well-preserved ancient Roman kiosk situated on the island of Philae in southern Egypt. It was built during the reign of the Roman Emperor Trajan in the 2nd century AD as a part of a larger temple complex dedicated to the goddess Isis.

The kiosk is a square-shaped building consisting of twelve columns and is 15 meters high. The columns were originally decorated with lotus and papyrus capitals and were connected by arches, forming a vaulted roof. The walls were also ornamented with reliefs illustrating the life and deification of Isis.

After the construction, the kiosk served as a popular destination for pilgrims and travelers in the Roman era. However, in the 6th century AD, the temple complex was abandoned due to the spread of Christianity. Later, during the 19th century, the kiosk was dismantled and transported to England by British archaeologists for display in the British Museum. The kiosk was later returned to Egypt in 1979 as a part of a UNESCO-funded project to rescue ancient monuments along the Nile threatened by the construction of the Aswan High Dam.

Today, the kiosk is one of the most popular attractions on Philae Island and is visited by thousands of tourists every year. It is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered one of the finest examples of Roman architecture in Egypt.