The
dynastic and religious capital of
the Middle Kingdom and New Kingdom
Egypt, Luxor has much to offer the
traveller, large temples, ancient
royal tombs, a desert river and spectacular
scenery and a lively modern life.
Often described as an open-air museum
of Luxor, to live up to its name with
a name with its historical monuments
unprecedented.
LOCATION
Luxor is located in the Nile valley,
in southern Egypt.
HOW TO REACH
Can be reached by air, by the international
airport of Luxor. Also train travel
between the Ramses station in Cairo
to Luxor.
Must see sights
Valley of the Kings
The Valley of the Kings is an Egyptian
archaeological city in the hills just
behind the west bank of Luxor. One
of the most remarkable archaeological
destinations in the world, it is the
burial place of most of the pharaohs
of Egypt's New Kingdom. Inside the
tombs, kings 'formal names and titles
are listed at the same time that its
images and statues. Most tombs were
cut into the limestone following a
similar pattern: three corridors,
an antechamber and a sunken sarcophagus
room. The texts in the tombs are from
the Book of the Dead Book of Gates
and the Book of the underworld.
Temple of Karnak
The Temple of Karnak is actually composed
of three major temples, small temples
attached, and several outside temples
located about three kilometers north
of Luxor located on 247 acres of land.
Karnak is the modern name sites. Its
previous name was Ipet-isut, meaning
Most Select (or holy) places . The
largest temple is dedicated to Amon.
This vast complex was built and expanded
on a one hundred and thirteen years.
Huge brick walls enclose the three
major temples of Mut, Montu and Amon.
The temples are scattered with images
of Ankh - the ancient symbol of eternal
life. The largest part of the magnificent
temple is hypostyle hall consisting
of 134 columns massive 23 metres high
creating an impression of enormous
'power' and strength.
Medinet Habu
The Medinet Habu is the last great
architectural work of the Pharaonic
period. It was built in the 12th century
by Ramses III. Medinet Habu is inspired
by the Ramesseum. The mud brick walls
that surround the temple once protected
the entire population of Thebes Libyan
invaders in the 20th dynasty. The
temple was also an administrative
centre of Thebes.
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