Egypt Attractions

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Temple of Karnak, Egypt

Temple of Karnak is the largest temple complex of the world ever built by man. Located in the small village of Al-Karnak, situated on the banks of Nile 2.5 km from Luxor, Karnak temple is the perfect example of combined achievements of many ancient artists.

Temple of Karnak is a temple complex consists of three main temples, smaller enclosed temples and numerous other outer temples that are located about 3 km north of Luxor. Karnak is the modern name given to the site of temple. Its ancient name was Ipet-isut that means 'The Most Select or Sacred Places'.

The vast complex of Karnak temple was built and enlarged over a period of 1300 years. Mut, Montu and Amun are the three main temples of Karnak temple complex and are enclosed by enormous thick brick walls. Temple of Amun is located in the center of Karnak complex while Temple of Montu is located to the north of Temple of Amun and inside of the enclosure wall next to Temple of Montu is located Temple of Ptah. Temple of Mut is located in south side of Temple of Amun.

Temple area of Karnak is basically an open air-museum and is twice the size of built-up of village area. After the Giza Pyramids it is the most visited ancient historical site in Egypt. Among the three main temples of the complex only Temple of Amun is open for the public view. It is because of this only that the Temple of Karnak is sometime also referred as 'Precinct of Amon-Re'.

What made this temple unique and different from other temples and sites of Egypt is its length of construction period. Construction of the temple began in 16th century BC and about 30 Pharaohs contributed in its structural formation. The temple of Amun of Karnak complex encloses the second Pylon of Karnak built by Ramesses II.

The hypostyle hall of the Great Amun Temple is beyond the second pylon. The hall is considered as one of the great masterpiece of architecture throughout the world. The outer walls of the hypostyle hall featured scenes of battles. Beyond the rear wall of the grand hypostyle hall there is another hall known as Transverse Hall. This hall contains remains of earliest section of Karnak Temple complex, still in existence. However the oldest part of the temple is Holy of Holies or sanctuary.

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Temple of Ramesses II, Egypt

Temple of Ramesses or the Great temple of Ramesses is located at Abu Simbel and is dedicated to Great Ramesses II a Pharaoh of 19th century along with three other gods Amun Ra, Ra Harakhti and Ptah. The Great temple of Abu Simbel took about 20 years to built and was completed in the 24th year of Ramesses reign.

The entrance of the main temple is 35 meter wide and 108 ft high. 65 ft high-seated four colossal statues wearing the double crown welcomed the visitors at the façade. These statues are carved out of solid rock. Above the doorway in a niche stands Sun God, representation of Ramesses in a falcon form. In his left is the figure of Ma'at. A row of baboons at the entrance was made to greet sun and indeed the monument looks best in the morning and hence the temple is also known by the name of "Sun Temple of Ramesses II".

The entrance of the Great Temple of Ramesses leads into the hypostyle grand hall that is 57 ft in height and 52 ft wide and was craved out of rock. Eight pillars with the statue of Ramesses supported this grand hall. The grand hall of the temple has statues in both north and south side that are distinguished from each other only by style of wearing of crowns.

Beyond the Grand hypostyle hall is the smaller second hypostyle hall with flowered pillars. Scenes in this hall show King and his wife Nefertari worshipping Amun and Re-Harakhte (the Sun God). Beyond the hall is, three chapels among which the central one contained the images of the three deities along with of the king.

Two chapels of the temple are located on either side of the façade. One is in the southeast corner of the temple and consists of three stelae. The other chapel of the temple is dedicated to Sun God and is an open-air chapel. The images of the Khepri and Baboon-Thoth linked with the Temple of Ramesses II are now in the Antiquities Museum of Cairo.