Luxor
Luxor is a city of ancient wonders, where you can marvel at the temples, tombs, and monuments of the pharaohs.
Luxor was the capital of ancient Egypt during the New Kingdom period, and it has been called the world’s largest open-air museum.
Here are some of the best places to visit in Luxor that you should not miss.
1. Luxor Temple :
Luxor Temple is a magnificent temple dedicated to the god Amun, his wife Mut, and their son Khonsu.
It was built by several pharaohs, including Amenhotep III, Tutankhamun, and Ramses II.
The temple features a grand entrance with a row of sphinxes, a huge courtyard with colossal statues of Ramses II, and a hypostyle hall with 74 columns.
The temple is also famous for its obelisk, which has a twin in Paris, and its mosque, which was built on top of the ancient ruins.
2. Karnak Temple :
Karnak Temple is the largest and most impressive temple complex in Egypt.
It covers an area of about 200 acres and consists of four main parts: the Precinct of Amun, the Precinct of Mut, the Precinct of Montu, and the Temple of Amenhotep IV.
The Precinct of Amun is the most important and the most visited, as it contains the Great Temple of Amun, the largest religious building ever constructed.
The temple is famous for its massive pylons, its forest of 134 columns, and its sacred lake.
3. Valley of the Kings :
The Valley of the Kings is the burial site of the pharaohs and nobles of the New Kingdom.
It contains more than 60 tombs, some of which are open to the public. The tombs are decorated with colorful paintings and hieroglyphs that depict the life and afterlife of the deceased.
The most famous tomb is that of Tutankhamun, which was discovered intact in 1922 by Howard Carter.
The tomb contained more than 5,000 artifacts, including the golden mask and coffin of the boy king.
4. Hatshepsut Temple :
Hatshepsut Temple is a stunning temple built by the female pharaoh Hatshepsut, who ruled Egypt for about 20 years in the 15th century BC.
The temple is located on the west bank of the Nile, at the foot of the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari.
The temple consists of three terraces connected by ramps, and it is adorned with statues, reliefs, and inscriptions that celebrate the achievements and divine origin of Hatshepsut.
The temple also has a chapel dedicated to the goddess Hathor, where you can see the famous Hathor columns.
5. Medinet Habu :
Medinet Habu is the mortuary temple of Ramses III, one of the last great pharaohs of the New Kingdom.
The temple is located on the west bank of the Nile, near the Valley of the Kings. The temple is surrounded by a massive mud-brick wall, which encloses a complex of buildings, including a palace, a royal harem, and several smaller temples.
The temple is decorated with elaborate scenes of Ramses III’s military victories, religious rituals, and festivals.
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6. Luxor Museum :
The museum features some of the treasures found in the tombs of the Valley of the Kings, such as the statues of Tutankhamun and Amenhotep III, the mummies of Ahmose I and Ramses I, and the chariot of Thutmose IV.
The museum also has a special exhibit of the cache of royal mummies found in 1881 in Deir el-Bahari.
7. Mummification Museum :
The museum displays various tools, materials, and techniques used to preserve the bodies of humans and animals.
The museum also exhibits some examples of mummies, such as a crocodile, a cat, a fish, and a human. The museum is located on the east bank of the Nile, near the Luxor Temple.
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