The temples of Luxor and Karnak are separated by about three kilometers
with the sacred lake between them. The Temple of Karnak is as splendid
at that of Luxor, perhaps even more so, and offers visitors some
rare glimpses into the ancient past of Egypt. There are many wonderful
things to see and enjoy here. Karnak is divided into three areas
separated by rough brick walls. The largest area measures approximately
30 hectares and is the best restored area. This temple, dedicated
to the god Amon, and is believed to be the oldest of the four temples
at Thebes. To its left is the sanctuary of Manatee, the god of war
and across from it is the sanctuary to the goddess Mut, Amon's wife,
who, interestingly enough, was symbolically represented as a vulture.
The size of the temple of Amon is amazing. It is the largest temple
supported by columns in the world. The most imposing structure is
the hypostyle hall which measures over 300 feet long and 159 feet
wide. Within its area stands 34 columns, each almost 70 feet high,
with open papyrus shaped capitals. Stones resting on top of these
columns offer some of the best views of what the temple was like
in ancient times. Protected from the Sun the hieroglyphics on their
underside are still the brilliant colors they were thousands of
years ago. The temple was built by various pharaohs over a long
period of time. Amon-Ofis III built the twelve columns architraves,
Ramses I began the decoration of this and it was continued by Seti
I and Ramses the II. There are a number of obelisks on the temple
grounds. Only one remains from Tutmose I and it measures almost
70 feet high and is estimated to weigh 143 tons. Another, higher
still, was erected by Hatshepsut, daughter of Tutmose I, and it
is said that she provided "bushels of gold as if they were
sacks of grain" to build it.
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Colossus measuring 45 feet high representing a king with several
cartouches
Statue to a female deity
Two obelisks
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The ruins of the Temple of Karnak
The great courtyard of the Temple of Amon
Entrance to the temple
Hieroglyphics on the temple wall
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Human head Sphinx
Intricately carved pylon
Hieroglyphics honoring the god of fertility. Look closely at the
two male figures on the left (above and below)
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