Luxor Temple

Luxor Temple stands at the heart of modern Luxor city in the Luxor Governorate of Egypt, built primarily by Amenhotep III around 1380 BC and extended significantly by Ramesses II. Unlike most Egyptian temples dedicated to a deity, Luxor Temple was constructed for the annual Opet Festival, during which the statue of Amun was carried from Karnak in procession to be reunited with his divine counterpart at Luxor. The entrance pylon, erected by Ramesses II, is flanked by two seated colossi of the pharaoh and — originally — by six standing statues, of which two remain. A single 25-meter obelisk stands at the entrance; its twin was transported to the Place de la Concorde in Paris in 1836. Inside the first court, the mosque of Abu Haggag sits atop Roman fill layers, creating a striking juxtaposition of Islamic and pharaonic architecture. Beyond lies the colonnade of Amenhotep III — a double row of 14 papyrus-bud columns, each 19 meters tall — which opens into the sun court, inner sanctuary, and birth room. The temple was used as a Roman legionary fortress, a Coptic church, and an Islamic mosque at different periods, and layers of these occupations are still visible in the architecture. The site is exceptional at night when spotlights illuminate the columns and pylons against the dark sky, and the Corniche promenade along the Nile provides a pleasant approach on foot. A tuk-tuk or calèche ride from the Karnak area takes 10 minutes. Allow one to two hours; the site is rarely as crowded as Karnak and is open until 9 PM.