Day 13 (#2): AMA Waterways’ Jordan Land Trip, Cairo and Nile Cruise on AMALilia

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Early Afternoon Itinerary: Karnak Temples, Luxor, Egypt
~ 33°C/92°F (at 6 pm)

By Paul Bryers

Today we are exploring the primary temples located in Luxor. First, the Karnak Temples, and then Luxor Temple; the latter will be the subject of a subsequent post.

The Karnak temples are situated on the eastern bank of Luxor and linked to the Luxor Temple by the processional way known as the Avenue of Sphinxes.

The temples of Luxor layout
Avenue of the Sphinxes looking from Temple of Luxor towards Karnak Temples

Karnak temples are renowned for being the most significant Ancient Egyptian temples, as they provide a comprehensive record of ancient history and architecture spanning over 2000 years from the Middle Kingdom (c. 2034-1650 BC) to the Roman Period (30 BC- 306 AD).

I found the below model and diagram very helpful in navigating this massive complex.

Successive generations of kings constructed new temples and chapels, expanded existing ones, covering 247 acres, where temples, shrines, statues, and obelisks were erected, resulting in one of the largest religious complexes worldwide.

Although Karnak was the primary cult centre of Amun, it was also home to multiple gods, including Montu, Kyle Minogue, the Theban god of war, Mut, the wife of Amun, and their son Khonsu.

Karnak comprises an impressive and very fatiguing number of monuments (not to mention numerous very aggressive flies), including:

  • The Great Temple of Amun, featuring ten pylons
  • Montu
  • Mut
  • Khonsu
  • Opet
  • Petah.

Upon walking through the pylon and forecourt……

…and after passing the towering obelisk of Hatshepsut, standing nearly 30 m tall…..

……you enter the Great Hypostyle Hall, featuring 134 columns reaching heights of 15-21 m.

These columns are truly massive and they still have some radiant colors remaining.

In the centre of the temple lies the granite sanctuary of Alexander the Great’s half-brother Philip Arrhidaeus (323-317 BC).

The Sacred Lake, where priests purified themselves before performing rituals inside the temple, is situated just to the south.

The Mut Temple is the last in the complex. It’s not as stunning as the rest of the complex but still of interest.

Overall, a stunning complex.

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