Luscious Luxor Temple (Temple of Luxor)

Member Name: garymarsh6

Product:	Temple of Luxor
Date:	11/04/09 (277 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: An awesome ancient site.

Disadvantages: Can get crowded by 'tourists'

The Luxor temple is one of the best preserved temples situated in the centre of Luxor beside the Nile River. Luxor (known as in ancient times as Thebes) may not have been the largest of the temples in Egypt but it was probably one of the most sacred. It is a magnificent structure which is believed was built over the site of a smaller temple in the 14th Century BC and is dedicated to three deities Amun, Mut and Chons. They are built mainly of sandstone which was brought down the River Nile and constructed piece by piece. There are further fortifications built by the Romans and within the temple there is evidence of a Christian church and a Mosque which is still in use today. The shear size of the buildings are amazing and it is hard to imagine how they ever constructed such a massive temple by hand hauling the pieces into place.

The temple was mainly used to honour the present ruling dynasty and was celebrated by the festival of opet. The festival lasted between 11 and 27 days. This festival commenced in the temples at Karnak during which there was a distribution of over 11,000 loaves of bread, cakes and jars of beer. People were able to ask favours from the statues of the ruling family paraded down the river on barges which were then hauled into the temple. The pharaoh would walk through the temple to the sanctuary at the rear of the temple where he would be changed into the living example of a god. After which he would scream out after his transformation and then appear before the waiting crowds.

After entering the temple grounds through the entrance gate there is a walkway towards the temple which leads to a vast open parade in front of the massive pylons. Pylons are two huge symmetrical square structures at the front of the temple carved with Hieroglyphics' which form the entrance to the temple. In front of these are two statues of Rameses although there were originally six and one remaining red granite obelisk about 25 meters high.

Entering through the archway between the pylons you are lead into a massive square which contains the mosque and statues of Ramses 2nd . This was added on and built during the reign of Ramses the 2nd. Some restorative work is taking place here and was sullied by the erection of scaffolding. Proceeding onwards you walk through a colonnaded walkway to a huge square dedicated to the sun gods surrounded on either side by massive columns at the top carved into the shape of the papyrus plant.

Further on you come across an open air roman sanctuary which was part of a Christian church with an alter and remains of a colourful mural in the alcoves. Passing through this area you reach the offerings shrine and further sanctuary buildings behind it.

The Temple at Luxor had been added to by various Pharaohs' including Ramses' 2nd, Amenhotp the 3rd and Tutankhamen although Tutankhamen is only mentioned in the carvings a couple of times due to his shortened reign and the internal carvings were completed by Ay. Subsequent Pharaohs' added to the temple and previous carvings in the walls were etched over.


There was an avenue of Sphinxes which stretched from Luxor all the way to the temples of Karnak approximately 8Kms away. There are currently only about 80 of these sphinxes left in situ and out of those only one remains totally intact.

We visited this temple both during the day and also at night when it was all lit up for a private reception the walkways were lined with staff holding torches dressed in Pharonic dress with the sound of Aida playing in the background. It was an absolutely stunning and amazing experience and allowed your mind to run riot of what it might have been like thousands of years ago. The shear size of this temple and the workmanship is truly amazing and breathtaking and one that will stay in your mind for ever. I was really surprised how intact the carvings and hieroglyphics and some of the paints are still so prominent I guess that is due to the very dry weather throughout the year. However over the years there has been unwelcome graffiti added especially during the 1800's. So that's not a new phenomenon after all!


Facitilities

Facitilities within the temple grounds include toilets, an open air café and a few shops. The great thing about this temple is that you do not get hawkers continuously pestering you and you can look in these shops at leisure without being pressured and pestered.

There is obviously an armed tourist police presence as there is throughout Egypt and during the day there are locals who will offer to show you something for a fee of course, however they are not as demanding and persistent as at some of the sites.

It cost approximately One pound to visit the temple and it is a most touching site to visit. A word of advice! A sturdy pair of walking shoes or trainers are essential for your own comfort and safety as the ground is very uneven in some places. Most people visit Luxor either at the start or end of a cruise on the Nile however I understand that there are day trips organised from the Red sea coastal resorts. Would I recommend a visit? Absolutely without doubt.

Summary: A beautiful temple on the banks of the River Nile.