Luxor Temple
The temple of Luxor is one of the most beautiful temples in Egypt. It was known in the time of the New Kingdom as Ipt-Rsyt which means the southern shrine to differentiate between this temple and Karnak which was the northern house of Amon.
Luxor temple was built by Amenhotep III. The architect and overseer of the works of construction was the genius Amenhotep son of Hapo. The temple run close and parallel to the river Nile from north to south. The temple was constructed on the site of a small temple of Amon, built by kings of the 12th dynasty. At the time of Amenhotep III the temple was only 190 M. in length and 55 M in width. Basically, Luxor temple was consecrated to Amon in his fertility aspect Amon-Min. Ramses II added the front part and completed the temple. He added the present large forecourt and a Pylon at the northern front of the temple; these additions were built by King Ramses's architect Pak-in Khonso. Many more small additions were done by Kings Merenpetah, Seti I, Ramses III, Ramses IV, Ramses VI. Alexander the Great rebuilt the Sanctuary. During the Christian era the inner section of it was converted to a church. Even the Muslims built a Mosque in the 10th century which is known as mosque of Abu El Hagag. A Sphinx Avenue in front of the temple was built by King Nektanebo leading to the entrance of the temple.
In front of the Great Pylon of Ramses II, there were 2 obelisks. One of them remains standing, the other was transported in 1819 to La Place de le Concorde in Paris. It was a gift to King Philip Louis of France by Mohamed Ali (he ruled Egypt 1805-1850 Ad), after he was given a French clock which has never worked properly, even to this dayt!! There were 6 standing statues in front of the Pylon, only one of them on the Western side, is still in situ.Flanking the gate of the first pylon there are t wo seated colossi representing King Ramses II seated on his throne with all the royal features. The 1st Pylon is 24 m. high. Both towers of the first pylon were decorated with reliefs depicting the Battle of Kadesh between the Ramses and king of Hittites in present day Syria. The 1st open court has double rows of 32 papyrus bud columns.To the right side of the open court there is an old triple shrine made by Hatshepsut and Tohtmusis III dedicated for the sacred boats of the triad of Thebes. To the left is the mosque of Abou El Hagag. The open court of Ramses II leads to the Colonnade which was built by Amenhotep III and decorated by Tut-Ankh-Amon and Hor-Mohep. Seti I, Ramses II, and Seti II all recorded their names there. It consists of two pairs of large open papyrus columns. These columns are arranged to make a long processional avenue. The walls of this colonnade are decorated by scenes of the Opt Festival, special ceremonies of the visit of the triad of Kranak to the temple of Luxor; this feast was for about 24 days including the return to Karnak Temple.
The colonnade leads to the Court of Amenhotep III (52 M in length and 46 M in width). It has a double row of clustered round papyrus-bud columns on three sides. The Court of Amenhotep III leads to the Hypostyle Hall which consists of 32 columns arranged in 4 columns and 8 columns each. To the left of the Hypostyle Hall stands a Roman altar bearing Latin inscriptions dedicated to Emperor Augustus. On the walls of the Hypostyle walls there are some reliefs representing Amenhotep III, while hunting and killing a gazelle in front of Amon and the other scenes represent the king in front of various deities. At the rear of The Hypostyle Hall and on both sides of the central doorway there are 2 long chapels. The one to the east is dedicated to Mut and the one to the west dedicated to Khonso. The Hypostyle opens south to the 1st Antechamber. Originally, it had 8 columns but they were removed when the antechamber was converted into a Christian Church. The Birth Room situated to the east, is a side room with 3 columns. Most of the scenes depicting the divine birth of King Amenhotep III are in very bad condition.
After the Birth Room you will pass into another 3 columned chambers with badly damaged relie f, then into the Sanctuary of Alexander the Great. This sanctuary was rebuilt by Alexander the Great who removed the 4original columns and built a chapel opened to the north and to the south. This sanctuary once had a golden plated statue of Amon. Fortunately, Alexander the Great did not remove the relief on the walls. From the shrine of Alexander the Great, we enter a 2nd antechamber which has 4 papyrus bud columns. After passing the 2nd antechamber there are 2 offering rooms in bad condition and their scenes are also badly damaged. The original sanctuary is a small chamber with 4clustered papyrus columns. The walls of this room are decorated with scenes depicting Amenhotep III dancing before Amon-Re. The outside walls of the temple on the west side are covered with scenes and inscriptions representing the battle of Kadesh. This was the work of Ramsis II to commemorate his victory over the Hittites.
