Must-Visit in Egypt: Highlights of Luxor Temple

Luxor Temple | Introduction

The Luxor Temple, located on the east bank of Luxor, was primarily constructed by Pharaoh Amenhotep III of the 18th Dynasty and Ramesses II of the 19th Dynasty during the New Kingdom period, with its foundation dating back to the 14th century BCE. This temple is one of the most striking ancient monuments in the modern city center of Luxor and is also known as the "Southern Sanctuary."

Like the Karnak Temple, it served as an important worship site for the Theban Triad—Amun-Ra, Mut, and Khonsu. During the annual Opet Festival in ancient Egypt, statues of the Theban Triad—Amun, Mut, and Khonsu—were ceremonially transported from Karnak Temple to Luxor Temple along the 3-kilometer-long Avenue of Sphinxes. This procession symbolized the sacred connection between the pharaoh and the gods.

Luxor Temple | Transportation

The Luxor Temple is located at the heart of Luxor's city center, just a few steps away from the Nile River. If you’re staying downtown, you can easily walk to the temple from the main hotel area. For most accommodations on the east bank of Luxor, a taxi or carriage ride takes less than 10 minutes. The cost of hiring a ride on the spot varies depending on negotiation but is generally affordable.

There is no Uber service available in Luxor. If you are traveling on a cruise, the Luxor Temple is typically included as part of the group tour itinerary, which can save you the hassle of arranging transportation. For independent travelers or those who prefer more flexible schedules, the best option is to hire a private car. Since most itineraries in Luxor involve visiting multiple attractions in a single day, it’s advisable to arrange a private car or airport transfer in advance by inquiring about prices and booking before you arrive in Luxor.

Luxor Temple | Itinerary Planning and Tickets

The Luxor Temple is not only captivating during the day with its historical ambiance but becomes even more enchanting at night under the glow of its lighting. Given its proximity to other attractions on Luxor's east bank, it is often visited on the same day as the Karnak Temple. It is recommended to schedule your visit to Luxor Temple in the late afternoon, as the view of the temple against the sunset is breathtaking. At night, the illuminated colonnades and statues transport visitors back to the ceremonial atmosphere of ancient Egypt, making it a highlight not to be missed. Plan for about 1.5 to 2 hours to fully explore the Luxor Temple.

Tickets for the Luxor Temple can be purchased directly from the official Egyptian government website (ticket link). Foreign visitors must select "Other Nationality" when purchasing tickets. Electronic tickets are now available, saving you the time and hassle of waiting in line.

Luxor Temple | Highlights

The construction of the Luxor Temple spanned the reigns of six different pharaohs. Along the visiting route, you can pay special attention to the temple structures added by these pharaohs during different periods. These additions not only highlight the grand achievements of the rulers but also showcase the evolution of architectural styles. The six pharaohs associated with the expansion of the Luxor Temple are:

• Hatshepsut: The female pharaoh of the 18th Dynasty, who constructed one of the early structures within the temple—the Shrine of the Sacred Boats. This shrine was dedicated to the worship of Amun, Mut, and Khonsu.
• Amenhotep III: Also from the 18th Dynasty, he significantly expanded the temple originally built by Hatshepsut and dedicated it to Amun as the "Southern Sanctuary." He constructed the magnificent colonnade and the Sun Court, making them some of the temple's most iconic features.
• Tutankhamun: The son of Amenhotep IV (also known as Akhenaten), from the late 18th Dynasty. He added reliefs to the Luxor Temple, particularly scenes depicting the Opet Festival. These carvings showcase the pharaoh leading the people in restoring traditional religious practices.
• Ramses II: The great pharaoh of the 19th Dynasty, he constructed the first pylon and the courtyard. He also erected six colossal statues and two obelisks, one of which remains at the temple while the other was gifted to France and now stands in Paris's Place de la Concorde.
• Nectanebo I: Belonging to the 30th Dynasty, Egypt's last native dynasty, he was responsible for constructing the Avenue of Sphinxes, which connected the Luxor Temple to the Karnak Temple.
• Alexander the Great: Although not a native Egyptian pharaoh, as a conqueror, he rebuilt the shrine of Amun’s sacred boats and depicted himself in the reliefs in the guise of an Egyptian pharaoh.

Avenue of Sphinxes

Standing at the entrance, you’ll find the Luxor Temple connected to the 3-kilometer-long Avenue of Sphinxes, which leads northward to the Karnak Temple. Lined on both sides with sphinxes featuring either ram heads or human heads, the avenue symbolizes the power of the gods and the pharaohs. During the Opet Festival, this was the ceremonial procession route for the statues of the Theban Triad, creating a majestic and grand atmosphere. The sacred boats used in the Opet Festival were also placed along the avenue during the celebrations.

First Pylon

The first pylon, towering 24 meters high, was built by Ramses II of the 19th Dynasty. Its reliefs depict his military achievements during the Battle of Kadesh. Known for his fondness for erecting statues of himself in temples, Ramses II followed this tradition at the Luxor Temple. In front of the pylon stand six colossal statues of Ramses II—four seated and two standing—half of which were recently restored. Originally, two pink granite obelisks symbolizing the sun god Ra stood here. Today, only one remains, while the other was transported to Paris and now stands in the Place de la Concorde.

Courtyard of Ramses II

The Courtyard of Ramses II is surrounded by lotus-bud columns, and the wall reliefs depict scenes of the pharaoh making offerings to the gods. On the southern wall, there is a procession of 17 figures, traditionally interpreted as Ramses II's sons, although some suggest all 17 statues represent Ramses II himself. However, the names and titles of his sons are inscribed, showcasing the prestige and prosperity of Ramses II's royal family. Below the statues of Ramses II, the reliefs narrate the pharaoh’s achievements, including scenes of battles with foreign enemies. A closer look reveals distinct representations of foreign features, differentiating between Asian and African ethnicities, highlighting the diversity of Ramses II’s interactions with other cultures.

In the northwest corner of the courtyard, there is the Shrine of the Sacred Boats, originally built by Hatshepsut and later restored by Tutankhamun. This shrine was dedicated to the worship of Amun, Mut, and Khonsu.

Abu Alhagagh Mosque

Interestingly, on the southeastern side of Ramses II’s courtyard, you can find the Abu al-Haggag Mosque, built in the 14th century. This mosque is one of the local sacred sites and is named after an important Muslim sheikh. When the Luxor Temple was gradually buried over time, the mosque was constructed atop the original temple structure. Later, as the temple was excavated and brought back to light, the mosque remained intact and has been preserved to this day. Its entrance is located outside the temple complex.

Colonnade And Sun Court of Amenhotep III

The magnificent colonnade hall, built by Amenhotep III, served as the grand entrance to the Opet Festival temple. It features 28 massive stone columns with capitals adorned with lotus and papyrus designs, symbolizing the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt. The columns are intricately carved with reliefs depicting the pharaoh participating in the Opet celebrations. These vivid reliefs bring to life scenes of the pharaoh and nobles taking part in the festival, including musicians playing drums and acrobats performing handstands. The walls of the colonnade were further decorated by Tutankhamun, commemorating Egypt’s return to traditional religion following the religious reforms of his father, Akhenaten.

To the south of the colonnade hall lies the Sun Court. In 1989, archaeologists discovered a collection of 26 statues buried here by Roman-era priests. These statues included depictions of gods and priests and are now preserved in the Luxor Museum.

Hypostyle Hall

Beyond the Sun Court lies the Hypostyle Hall, marking the beginning of the central area of the Luxor Temple. The hall features four rows of stone columns, each with eight columns, leading to the Sanctuary of Amun, the most sacred part of the temple.

Sanctuary

On the southern side of the Hypostyle Hall are several rooms, which make up the sanctuary area of the temple.

The central room is the Cult Sanctuary of Amun, where statues of Amun and his wife Mut can be seen. The inner sanctum features well-preserved wall paintings depicting various rituals and religious ceremonies. During the 3rd century CE, under Roman rule, the room was modified, and scenes of Roman officials were added to the walls. Beyond this room, to the left and right, are smaller chapels dedicated to Mut and Khonsu. Following these is the vestibule, supported by four columns, which leads to the Barque Shrine of Amun. This shrine was rebuilt by Alexander the Great, who is depicted in the reliefs as an Egyptian pharaoh.

The eastern door leads to two rooms, the first of which is Amenhotep III's "Birth Room," depicting the symbolic scene of his divine birth. The artwork illustrates the moment of conception, where the god’s finger touches the queen’s finger, signifying the divine act of impregnation.

The final room is the Sanctuary of Amenhotep III, which still contains the stone pedestal that once held the statue of Amun. Although this was the most sacred part of the temple in ancient times, its proximity to a busy modern street today diminishes much of its original sacred atmosphere.

Open Air Museum

The open area outside, labeled as the Open-Air Museum, is a relatively new section. It serves as a space where many yet-to-be-restored relics and fragments are gathered and displayed.

Further reading

• More Egypt posts
• More Luxor posts