Qasr ad Dush

 temple, archeological site, fortress

Still very impressive Roman ruins of an Roman settlemet with a fortified Temple, erection completed 177 AC, that belonged to the ancient city of Kysis (today Dakhla). A border fortification at the crossing of five desert tracks and one of the gateways to the south. Also from here the Darb ad Dush was controlled, an east-west-link between the Kharga Oasis and Esna and Edfu in the Nile valley. The castle is very solid and fortified (parts are still hidden in the sand) and includes a temple of Isis and Serapis, first century. The temple is built of sandstone; though the golden decoration of parts of the interior vanished, the walls are still impressive because of its reliefs (see also the photos of the sanctuary itself)