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Karnak Temple, Luxor

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Karnak Temple, Luxor
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Courtyard - Luxor
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by Jeca011
Things to Do in Luxor: Karnak Temple tips and photos posted by real travelers and Luxor locals.
Karnak Temple
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Karnak Temple: Karnak Temple
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  • By sue_stone on February 9, 2005
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  • the entrance to the temple - Luxor
    the entrance to the temple
    by sue_stone
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    Karnak Temple is huge. It covers an area of 1500m by 800m. There are sanctuaries, huge columns, obelisks and even a sacred lake.

    I particularly like the main entrance to the temple, which is lined by ram-headed sphinxes (though most of them are missing their heads these days).

    Another highlight is the Great Hypostyle Hall, where there are 134 huge stone columns, dwarfing anyone who walks through them.

    There are 2 spectacular obelisks that were donated to the temple by the famous King/Queen Hatshepsut.

    We had about 90 minutes to visit the temple, and our tour guide took us around and showed us the highlights. But you really need a few hours here to take it all in. There is just so much to see here.

    Don't forget your water, and your comfortable shoes - oh, and you'll definitely need your camera!

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  • Directions: East Bank, Luxor
  • Website: http://www.touregypt.net/karnak.htm

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    Karnak Temple: Karnak Temple
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  • By clairegeordio on December 18, 2004
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  • Karnak Temple - Luxor
    Karnak Temple
    by clairegeordio, 3 more photos
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    Karnak Temple is the largest religious centre in Egypt with over 2,000 years of history. It is complex with several temple compounds - the core of which is the temple of Amun - the king of the Gods. This is dedicated to the Gods Amun, Mut and Khonsu and has 134 high pillars built by Ramses II.
    It is so impressive here with so much to see - I would advise around 3 hours - it would be rushed if you tried to see it in less than 1 hour.
    As Karnak temple is quite a walk from the centre of Luxor (over 2km) and a further walk from some of the hotels situated out of town, it is best reached by taxi, which should cost 15-20 LE from the centre. (1.50-2 GBP).
    Entrance fee : LE 40 (4 GBP).

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    Karnak Temple: Karnak Temple
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  • Updated By Diana75 on March 2, 2006
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  • Karnak Temple - Luxor
    Karnak Temple
    by Diana75, 4 more photos
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    Karnak Temple, actually the Karnak site, is situated on the East Bank about 3.5km from the Luxor Temple and is the largest of its kind in the world.

    The circumference of the temple is of about 4km and the largest temple in Karnak site is Amun Temple, a great Pharaonic God.

    The explanation for the site's dimension is given by the fact that although it was originally founded during the Middle Kingdom, the dynasties that came afterwards continued build.

    The great front yard was built by Ethiopians, while the Shashank gate and the hall of columns by King Ramsis II.

    Behind these great buildings lies the obelisk built by Queen Hatshepsut, then the granite temple and the feasts hall established by King Thotmos III.

    On the far horizon appears the holy lake, the remains of Osiris tomb, the series of the southern walls, the temple of the infant god Khonso and Obet Temple.


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    Karnak Temple: Temple of Ramses III
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  • Updated By Jeca011 on June 13, 2004
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  • Temple of Ramses III - Luxor
    Temple of Ramses III
    by Jeca011
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    At right angles to the courtyard, is the Temple of Ramses III.

    The Last Great Pharaoh - Rameses III

    During the first few years of his reign, Rameses III consolidated the work of his father, Setnakhte, by bringing unity to the country. Therefore, in his fifth year when the Libyans attacked, Egypt was well prepared. It had been twenty-seven years since Merenptah had repulsed their last offensive, now again, an organized and efficient Egyptian army easily defeated them.
    Rameses III had two principle wives plus a number of minor wives and it was one of these minor wives, Tiye, who was the cause of his destruction. She hatched a plot to kill him with the aim of placing her son, prince Pentaweret, on the throne. She and her confederates stirred up a rebellion and used magic wax images and poison as their weapons. The conspiracy failed and the traitors were arrested but not before Rameses was mortally wounded. Fourteen officials sat in judgment and all the accused, with the exception one, was found guilty and condemned to commit suicide. Rameses died before the trial was completed. Rameses III's death marks the end of an era. He had ruled for 31 years and was the last of the great Pharaohs.

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    Karnak Temple: Karnak
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  • By Jim_Eliason on January 13, 2007
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  • Karnak - Luxor
    Karnak
    by Jim_Eliason, 4 more photos
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    Karnak is the most impressive temple in Egypt and should be on everyone's must see list. The temple was continually enlarged by successive pharoahs over 1300 years leading to its current massive size. The temple is dedicated to Amun-Re, the creator god.

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  • Directions: North side of Luxor

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    Karnak Temple: Hatshetsup's Obelisk
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  • By ATXtraveler on May 23, 2004
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  • Hathesput's Obelisk - Luxor
    Hathesput's Obelisk
    by ATXtraveler
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    One of the distinguishing objects at the Temple of Karnak is the Obelisk of Hatshetsup. If you look closely at the Obelisk, you will notice that it is multi-colored. This is because early after the obelisk was built, another Pharaoh ( I believe a son-in law) came and covered the obelisk all the way up until the word started speaking of the God Amun-Ra.

    I would definitely recommend a guided tour... it will help explain what I did not!

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    Karnak Temple: The first courtyard with the Shrine of Seti II
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  • By Jeca011 on June 13, 2004
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  • Courtyard - Luxor
    Courtyard
    by Jeca011
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    The first courtyard was built during the 22nd Dynasty (945-745 BCE). It is the largest courtyard of all the Egyptian temples. There are 18 columns to the left and 9 on the right shaped liked closed papyrus (or buds). The temple of Seti II is on the left with 3 chambers, the central one dedicated to Amon and the sides to Mut and Khonsu. On the right, at right angles to the courtyard, is the Temple of Ramses III

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    Karnak Temple: Hypostyle Hall, Karnak Temple
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  • By clairegeordio on December 18, 2004
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  • Hypostyle hall, Karnak Temple - Luxor
    Hypostyle hall, Karnak
    Temple
    by clairegeordio
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    For me, the Hypostyle Hall was the most impressive part of Karnak and is considered to be one of the world's greatest architectural masterpieces. It is an immense structure of 5,300 square metres with 134 columns, some of which measure 22.5m in height.

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    Karnak Temple: Statue of Ramses II
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  • By Jeca011 on June 13, 2004
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  • Statue of Ramses II - Luxor
    Statue of Ramses II
    by Jeca011
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    Originally two statues of Ramses II had flanked the entrance to the hypostyle hall. One, almost 16 m tall, still exists. His Queen is at his feet.

    Rameses II (19th dynasty), son of Seti I, was around thirty years old when he became king of Egypt - and then reigned for 67 years. He had many wives, among them some of his own near relatives, and was the father of about 111 sons and 51 daughters.

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    Karnak Temple: Ramses II statues, Karnak temple
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  • By clairegeordio on December 18, 2004
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  • Ramses II, Karnak Temple - Luxor
    Ramses II, Karnak Temple
    by clairegeordio
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    As Ramses II had a lot of input into Karnak temple, there are many statues of him around the temple, usually with his wife, Nefertari at his side, always portrayed much smaller than him.
    He was called Ramses the Great and lived to be 96 years old. He had 200 wives, 96 sons and 60 daughters

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