Travel Tips

Temples were one of the most mysterious places in ancient Egypt. They were considered to be the homes of the gods and godnesses and therefore only a few people could step inside them.
The temples were made of stone so that they would last forever. Their walls were covered with scenes that were carved onto the stone then brightly painted. These scenes showed the pharaoh fighting in battles and performing rituals with the gods and goddesses.
All temples were built according to the same structure and so they are looking quite similar to a today`s visitor.

The front of the temple was always built to look impressive as most of the Egyptians could see only that and the temples were built for the gods so they must have been the most attractive too. The pylon of a temple could reach 60 meters high.

The walls of the pylon were decorated with carved and painted scenes of the pharaoh, gods and goddesses. In front of the pylon were obelisks and large statues of the pharaoh.

After the pylon there was a great courtyard which led to the sacred chambers.
Palm shaped colums surround the courtyard and a smaller pylon leds to the sanctuary.
The outer walls showed scenes of the pharaoh in battle. The inner walls showed the pharaoh making offerings to the gods and goddesses.

Ordinary people could enter the courtyard on festive occasions.

Beyond the great courts there was a huge hall of papyrus shaped columns called the hypostyle hall.
Generally these were quite darkened places with roof on that where only a few windows were cut letting some sunshine through to the main aisle. This gave the hall a quite mysterious look.
This hall represented a marsh in the beginning of time. Scenes of religious rituals were carved into the walls. This room would have been used for performing religious rituals.

The second hall was the entrance to the sanctuary. They were quite dark and only special priests could enter it.
The walls of the second hall were decorated with carved and painted scenes showing the pharaoh with gods and goddesses.

The sanctuary was the most sacred place in each temple where the statue of a god or goddess was held and taken care of.
Only the high priests and the pharaoh could ever enter the sanctuary.