Impressive Ancient Egyptian Temples
Egypt is one of the most beautiful and historical regions on earth, with so much history and culture infused into the spectacular region, it is no wonder why it is considered one of the most amazing places to visit! Many chose Egypt as their vacation destination and visited this country in the hopes of seeing a bit more of the past and taking a step back in time and experiencing how ancient Egyptians once lived. The opulence and beauty of the historical locations is an experience like nothing on earth! The following are just a few of the most impressive ancient Egyptian temples to make sure you visit when in this breathtaking country.
Karnak
One of the most impressive ancient sites to visit in the world is Karnak. Known as the largest religious site that remains from ancient times, it is a very popular site to visit for those who are venturing to Egypt to learn about the history of the region. This complex of temples is made up of different sites, with three large temples, a few smaller temples and other sites that sit on the exterior of this complex. The Karnak temples were estimated to have taken generations to build, as the complexity and sheer size was unfathomable for this time period! If you are hoping to visit one of the most breathtaking Egyptian temples of all time, look no further than Karnak!
Abu Simbel
Built in the 13 century B.C. The Egyptian temples of Abu Simbel were created during the reign of the famous Pharaoh Ramesses. The monument was said to have been created as a monument dedicated to both himself and his Queen, known as Nefertari. This massive monument was built along a mountainside though was sadly relocated from its original location to make way for Lake Nasser, which was an artificial lake that needed to be located along the Nile. Though the beautiful monument was relocated, it still stands in all its glory today and is considered to be one of the most famous Egyptian temple monuments in not just Egypt, but the world!
Luxor Temple
The Luxor temple was created in 1400 B.C and was dedicated to three gods, Amun, Mut, and Chons. These three gods were celebrated in the festival Opet where the statues were taken from the temple of Amun to the Luxor Temple. The Luxor temple is located in Thebes, along the Nile and is a very famous destination where a lot of the Nile cruises end and begin!
Temple of Hatshepsut
Another very impressive monument in Egypt is the temple of Hatshepsut. This beautiful monument was created during the rule of Hatshepsut. The beautiful temple was built directly into a cliff face, making the structure seem even more domineering and important! The layered terraces can be walked along today and provide a vantage point of what this queen once viewed. the beauty of this region and the ability to walk where this queen once did is an experience like no other, so be sure to include a stop at this magnificent Egyptian temple!
Temple of Seti I
Built and dedicated to the pharaoh Seti I, who was the father of King Ramesses, and it is believed that the monument was completed after his death in 1279 B.C. by his son. Thought building itself is a wonder to behold the true gem is the information that was found within it. The temple was found to contain the Abydos King List, a list that named each of the pharaohs from the start of the first dynasty all the way to Seti I, king Ramesses's grandfather. This information contributed to our understanding of ancient Egypt and helped to fill in gaps where historians were missing information.
Temple of Edfu
As one of the most well preserved Egyptian temples, the temple of Edfu is a very popular attraction. Having taken nearly two hundred years to complete, this masterpiece is the second largest temple in Egypt! constriction was started in 237 BC and only completed in 57 BC, when Ptolemy XII, who was the father of the famous Egyptian queen Cleopatra, was the ruler. The temple consists of many traditional Egyptian features along with a few architectural elements that resemble ancient Greek monuments, displaying the changing of the times over the construction period.
Philae Temples
It is interesting to note that the Island of Philae, where these temples once resided, is now completely subsumed within the Nile. Luckily, the temples on this island were relocated before this island submerged and now they reside on the island of Agilika! These beautiful temples took three centuries to complete and it is one of the newer Egyptian temples, having been built in 100 AD. These temples show the diverse interactions of cultures over this period as other temples were constructed on the island!
Colossi of Memnon
Though the temple behind the Colossi of Memnon, two massive statues that were built to show the Pharaoh Amenhotep III, was destroyed, the Colossi of Memnon is still a beautiful spot to visit. Showing the Pharaoh in a seated position, the two statues were created to stand guard and protect the temple behind them. This temple was where many came to pray to the Pharaoh, both before and after his death.
Temple of Kom Ombo
Situated overlooking the beautiful Nile river, this Egyptian temple is truly a wonder to behold. Built during the Ptolemaic dynasty, everything within the temple was doubled, though the reason for this is entirely unknown. exploring this well-preserved structure is an exciting experience and this should definitely be a stop you add to your itinerary!
