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Luxor Sights

Karnak

2 reviews | Write a review

Good for: egyptologists, ancient history, pillars

Not good for: rain protection

  • Address
    • Sharia Maabad al-Karnak Karnak East Bank
  • Phone
    • tel, info: 095 238 0270
  • Price
    • adult/student E£65/40
  • Hours
    • 6am-5pm Oct-Apr, to 6pm May-Sep

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Lonely Planet review for Karnak

More than a temple, Karnak is an extraordinary complex of sanctuaries, kiosks, pylons and obelisks dedicated to the Theban gods and the greater glory of pharaohs. Everything is on a gigantic scale: the site covers over 2 sq km, large enough to contain about 10 cathedrals, while its main structure, the Temple of Amun, is the largest religious building ever built. This was where the god lived on earth, surrounded by the houses of his wife Mut, and their son Khonsu, two other huge temple complexes on this site. Built, added to, dismantled, restored, enlarged and decorated over nearly 1500 years, Karnak was the most important place of worship in Egypt during the New Kingdom. It was called Ipet-Sut, meaning ‘The Most Esteemed of Places’; Karnak is its Arabic name meaning ‘fortified settlement’. New Kingdom records show that the priests of the Temple of Amun had 81,000 people working in or for the temple, owned 421,000 head of cattle, 65 cities, 83 ships and 276,400 hectares of agricultural land, giving an idea of its economic, as well as spiritual, significance.

 

Traveller reviews for Karnak (2)

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    The grand daddy of Egyptian temples

    humbucker recommends this,

    Every pharaoh of the new kingdom left their mark on this spectacular complex. I made a vist for the Sound and Light "Spectacular" which was cheesy and over the top but fun nevertheless. My daytime visit was far more rewarding. There's so much to see and it's a lot to take in. Do your reading ahead of time and choose a few things to seek out. It's much better to arrive with a few objectives than to wander aimlessly in my opinion.

    Good for: egyptologists, ancient history

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    Astounding architecture of the Gods.

    dlutzy recommends this,

    Walking around the temple of Karnak at Luxor is to appreciate the architecture of the Egyptian gods themselves. The scale and beauty of the complex of temples will take your breath away.

    Good for: pillars

    Not good for: rain protection

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