Half way through our work schedule, which is around 1 month of work we get a small break. So we went to Luxor, which is approximately a 2.5 hour drive south of Abydos. The nile separates the east(modern town) and west banks in Luxor. The east bank has the Temple of Luxor and the Temple at Karnak and on the west bank the temples of Deir al-Bahri and Medinat Habu, the Colossi of Memnon and the Valley of the Kings. Luxor today is comprised of ancient Theben antiquities and tourists by the bus loads.I had decided and was content with spending only one day out of a total of four days visiting temples and ruins. Allowing myself to thoroughly enjoy a slow paced day, with minimal hassel, visiting ruins of choice. Enjoying the lack of pressure to see everything (which is impossible) and great company!
Colossi of MemnonThe first Temple I visited was the Colossi of Memnon. The two large, 1000 ton statues are the first monument one sees on the West bank.
These statues were once part of the largest temple ever built in Egypt, Amenhotep III's memorial temple. Sadly, all that remains now are the towering two statues.
RamesseumContinuing past the Colossi
approximately 2-3 kilometers I then visited the "memorial temple" the Ramesseum (a funerary complex) built for Ramses II. The temple was called "the Temple of Millions of Years of User-Maat-Ra" by Ramses II. The temple is mostly in ruins but still stands great. On first arrival the 29 columns of the great hypostyle hall are still standing and visible as well as the the great arched storerooms surrounding the ruins to the north and northwest.
The Temple of Seti IWas built by Seti who also built the Seti temple in Abydos, which happens to be one of my favorite. The temple is in ruins and was hit hard after torrential rain and flooding in 1994. The temple was not so impressive, but gladly the site guards escorted us on to the roof of the temple to capture the picturesque view of the west bank. There are few visitors so the site guards were a bit generous with us! Sadly, hardly any photos came out except for this one of Andy and I on the roof. Shortly after I manged my way down with the help of the guard.
The Temple of Edfu
This temple is known as the Temple of Horus at Edfu, is situated high above the nile flood plain, therefore the temple is almost completely preserved. It was originally the cult center of the falcon god Horus of Behdet, but today
Ptolomaic ruins is what remains. The temple is a car drive south of Luxor approximately 1.5 hours. Here the landscape changes some. The stratigraphy and the rock changes from limestone to sandstone. The Nubian influence found throughout southern Egypt is noted around here.
Walking into the ruin is breath taking. The pylon in the entrance stands 36 meters high and is embellished with reliefs of Ptolemy XII Neos Dionysos and the entrance is guarded with two granite statues of Horus. Throughout the outer walls of the temple (Passage of victory) there are beautuful reliefs standing just as tall as the entrance pylon. Inside, columns greet you as you enter, as well as hall after hall, relief after relief. Just splendid. This was one of my favorite visits!!!
These statues were once part of the largest temple ever built in Egypt, Amenhotep III's memorial temple. Sadly, all that remains now are the towering two statues.
approximately 2-3 kilometers I then visited the "memorial temple" the Ramesseum (a funerary complex) built for Ramses II. The temple was called "the Temple of Millions of Years of User-Maat-Ra" by Ramses II. The temple is mostly in ruins but still stands great. On first arrival the 29 columns of the great hypostyle hall are still standing and visible as well as the the great arched storerooms surrounding the ruins to the north and northwest.
Ptolomaic ruins is what remains. The temple is a car drive south of Luxor approximately 1.5 hours. Here the landscape changes some. The stratigraphy and the rock changes from limestone to sandstone. The Nubian influence found throughout southern Egypt is noted around here.
