"The Temple of Karnak" Egypt Things to Do Tip by Paul2001

The Temple of Karnak is the most important Ancient Egypt sight in the Upper Nile Valley. It is considered to be one of the largest places of worship of any faith in the world.
Like many of the Egyptian temple complexes, the Temple of Karnak is actually more than one temple. The northern section of the complex is the Temple of Mont, of which little remains, while to the south is the Temple of Mut. This temple is famed for its small horseshoe shaped sacred lake. Both temples where constructed during the reign of Amenhotep II (1390 to 1353).
Most of what you see today is from the Temple of Amon-Re and was constructed over many hundreds of years. The temple is most famed for the hypostyle hall, largely built by Ramses II in the 13th century B.C. This vast hall is 54,000 square feet in size and consists of 134 columns that are about 80 feet high and covered with detailed and fascinating reliefs. The place is truely a marvel. it is interesting to ponder that the temple originally had a wooden roof and that the pillars were coloured. What a spectacle the hall must have been in Ramses II's time.
The temple complex is also noted for its avenue of sphinx that leads to the Temple of Luxor and for the obelisk erected by Queen Hatshepsut.
With regards to getting to the temple complex, I decided to walk, while most might think that a taxi would be preferable. For me, the walk along the Cornich on the Nile was quite pleasant.

Directions: About 3 kilometers north of Luxor.

• Written Jun 12, 2003
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