Templo de Debod (Temple of Debod), Madrid (must see)

A somewhat unexpected sight in the heart of Madrid is the Egyptian temple dating back to the 4th century BC. Apparently, it was brought to Spain as a gesture of gratitude from the Egyptian government for Spanish assistance in preserving ancient monuments during the construction of the Aswan Dam on the Nile River.

More than 2,000 years old, the temple was carefully dismantled, transported, and reconstructed stone by stone in its original East-West orientation. The process took place in two phases, with the first phase including the establishment of the surrounding gardens from October to December 1970. The second phase involved the reconstruction of the temple's missing parts, including the entrance hall. It was officially opened to the public in 1972.

The temple aligns with two of its original three gateways, offering panoramic views that extend all the way to the Guadarrama mountains. Its carvings depict Amun, an Egyptian god with a ram's head, symbolizing life and fertility, to whom it is dedicated. While the interior is no longer accessible, visitors can explore the platforms.

Tips:
Do bring a mini-picnic with you, so you can laze about like the locals.
Also, try arriving 30 minutes before sunset to see the place transform with the change of lighting.