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Luxor Temple

History

The Luxor Temple is on the eastern bank of the River Nile in Luxor, Egypt. In the past, this site was the famous city of Thebes (the City of a Hundred Gates). The old capital of the ancient Egyptian kingdom was on the banks of the Nile with six temples (two on the eastern bank and four on the west). 
Amenhotep III (1390-52 BC) built this temple but later completed by Tutankhamun (1336-27 BC) and Horemheb (1323-1295 BC) and then some additions by Rameses II (1279-13 BC). At the entrance of the temple, once hundreds of sphinxes once lined the road to all the way to the Karnak Temple

In the ancient times, this temple was surrounded by the mud houses and shops but none of them survived the test of time. This site was also used as the Coptic church during the Christian era and Luxor Temple was buried beneath the streets and houses.

The Luxor Temple is located on the eastern bank of the River Nile in Luxor, Egypt
The Luxor Temple is located on the eastern bank of the River Nile in Luxor, Egypt
Entrance of the Luxor Temple
Entrance of the Luxor Temple
Sphinxes on the opposite side of the temple
This road was also called the Avenue of Sphinxes
This road was also called the Avenue of Sphinxes
An open area in front of the Luxor Temple
An open area in front of the Luxor Temple
In the ancient times, this temple was surrounded by the mud houses and shops
Statues beside the first pylon
Pigeons resting on the first pylon with a faceless statue in the foreground
Pigeons resting on the first pylon with a faceless statue in the foreground
A pedestal of a missing statue, carved out of black granite
A pedestal of a missing statue, carved out of black granite
A piece of obelisk, carved out of pink granite sits at the entrance of the Luxor Temple
A piece of obelisk, carved out of pink granite sits at the entrance of the Luxor Temple

Entrance of Luxor Temple

There used to be two granite obelisks at the entrance but only one stand today, the other one stands in Paris. The four sacred baboons who greet the morning sun are carved on the pedestal at the entrance of the temple. 
The main entrance to the temple complex was originally flanked by six colossal statues of Ramesses. Wall inscriptions on the First pylon depict the victories of Ramesses II, this pylon is 70 feet in height. Through the pylon, a gateway leads into a peristyle courtyard, also built by Ramesses II. 
This court is composed of a colonnade including a number of colossal statues of Amenhotep III which were usurped by Ramesses II. The reason to build this courtyard was to preserve the shrines constructed by Hatshepsut.

This main entrance to the temple complex was originally flanked by six colossal statues of Ramesses
This main entrance to the temple complex was originally flanked by six colossal statues of Ramesses
originally, there were four seated statues but only two have survived
originally, there were four seated statues but only two have survived
A statue beside the 24 meter high first pylon - Luxor Temple Egypt
A statue beside the 24 meter high first pylon - Luxor Temple Egypt
The four sacred baboons at the entrance of the Luxor Temple
Wall inscriptions on the First pylon depict the victories of Ramesses II
Wall inscriptions on the First pylon depict the victories of Ramesses II
A massive statue at entrance of the corridor - in the background a minaret of a mosque can be seen
A massive statue at entrance of the corridor - in the background a minaret of a mosque can be seen
Through the pylon, a gateway leads into a peristyle courtyard
Through the pylon, a gateway leads into a peristyle courtyard
These columns were decorated with various scenes from the past
These columns were decorated with various scenes from the past
The court is composed of a colonnade and statues - Luxor Temple
The court is composed of a colonnade and statues - Luxor Temple
This courtyard was constructed to preserved the shrines constructed by Hatshepsut
This courtyard was constructed to preserved the shrines constructed by Hatshepsut

Amenhotep's colonnade

A relief on one of the statues of Ramesses II, showing two figures of the God Hapi, one representing Upper Egypt with the Papyrus on his head, and one representing Lower Egypt with Lotus on his head, tying Lotus and Papyrus. The mosque of Sufi Shaykh Yusuf Abu al-Hajjaj was built over the temple ruins now it has become part of the complex. 
Amenhotep’s colonnade was built by Amenhotep III of the New Kingdom’s 18th Dynasty to be the grand entrance to the Temple of Amen of the Opet. A hypostyle hall leads to a smaller eight columned hall or portico which originally opened into the inner temple, but which was transformed by the Roman legion stationed at Luxor into a chapel dedicated to the imperial cult.

A relief on one of the statues of Ramesses II
The mosque of Sufi Shaykh Yusuf Abu al-Hajjaj was built over the Luxor Temple ruins
An elderly tourist accompanied by a guide while a local (who often ask for money) looks on
An elderly tourist accompanied by a guide while a local (who often ask for money) looks on
Partially damaged statues inside the Luxor Temple
Amenhotep's colonnade - Luxor Temple Egypt
Amenhotep's colonnade - Luxor Temple Egypt
Amenhotep's Colonnade is seen on the left were fourteen great columns but they were completed after the death of the king
Amenhotep's Colonnade is seen on the left were fourteen great columns but they were completed after the death of the king
These old photographs on one of the walls of the Luxor Temple show how renovation work was carried out
These old photographs on one of the walls of the Luxor Temple show how renovation work was carried out
A pigeon is resting above a pillar's capital
A pigeon is resting above a pillar's capital
This hypostyle hall leads to a smaller eight columned hall or portico
This hypostyle hall leads to a smaller eight columned hall or portico

Opet Festival

Inner walls of the hall are decorated with scenes depicting the stages of the Opet Festival. In one relief, Opet Festival is depicted in lively detail, with the pharaoh, nobility and common people joining the triumphal procession. Amenhotep IV tried to to dispose of the traditional ancient Egyptian religion in favor of a new one focused on the Sun Disk, called the Aten. 
After his death, his probable son, Tutankhamun, almost certainly under the direction of elder advisors (Horemheb and Ay), reinstated the old religion and in turn attempted to erase both the memory of Akhenaten and his religion. It is also believed that Alexander the Great added few touches to this building. 

Reliefs on the inner walls of the hall - Luxor Temple
Reliefs on the inner walls of the hall - Luxor Temple
Opet Festival depicted on this wall
Opet Festival depicted on this wall
Carving of the scenes and inscriptions on the walls behind the columns
Carving of the scenes and inscriptions on the walls behind the columns
Some renovation work being carried out on the monument
Some renovation work being carried out on the monument
A cluster of the columns in one of the inner rooms
A cluster of the columns in one of the inner rooms
All of the coulmns were inscribed with various scenes
All of the coulmns were inscribed with various scenes
Lotiform (lotus-shaped) columns in the hypostyle hall of Amenhotep
Lotiform (lotus-shaped) columns in the hypostyle hall of Amenhotep
Graffiti on one of the columns - in the past it was a fashion to leave one's mark on this historical site
Graffiti on one of the columns - in the past it was a fashion to leave one's mark on this historical site
Base of a column - Luxor Temple Egypt
Base of a column - Luxor Temple Egypt
Top of a column with it's fading colours
Top of a column with it's fading colours
Column colonnade in the Great Court of Ramesses II
Column colonnade in the Great Court of Ramesses II
The Great Sun Court of Amenhotep IIIs measures about 45.11 by 56.08 meters
The Great Sun Court of Amenhotep IIIs measures about 45.11 by 56.08 meters
This puppy was sitting on the grounds of the Luxor Temple
This puppy was sitting on the grounds of the Luxor Temple
A deserted cafe inside the Luxor Temple complex
A deserted cafe inside the Luxor Temple complex
After coming out of the temple, I took this path to the left and it brought me to the River Nile
After coming out of the temple, I took this path to the left and it brought me to the River Nile