Thebes

Welcome to Thebes, the 'grand capital' of the New Kingdom of Egypt and once one of the 'biggest metropolises in the world'. Known to the ancient Egyptians as 'Waset'—meaning the 'city of the scepter'—it was only centuries later…

We begin our exploration on the East Bank at the 'Temples of Karnak,' a 'sprawling complex' that served as the 'most important place of worship in all Egypt'. This was not a site for 'public worship,' but a 'sacred mystery' where…

Connecting the 'urban spine' of Karnak to its sister site, the 'Luxor Temple,' is the 'Avenue of Sphinxes'—a nearly '3-kilometer long paved route' once flanked by over a 'thousand human-headed sphinxes'. Anciently referred to as…

We now cross the Nile to the West Bank, entering the 'Land of the Dead'—the 'Kingdom of Osiris' and 'Hathor-Amenet'. Deep in the 'arid mountain range' lies the 'Valley of the Kings,' a 'desolate yet majestic' dry river valley…

Situated against the 'sharp cliffs of Deir el-Bahari,' we find the 'monumental mortuary masterpiece' of 'Queen Hatshepsut'. Known as 'Djoser-Djoseru' or the 'Holy of Holies,' this temple is one of 'Egypt's greatest architectural…

Standing lonely on the West Bank 'floodplain' are the 'Colossi of Memnon,' two 'eighteen-meter-high' statues that 'herald' what was once the 'largest mortuary temple ever built'. Commissioned by 'Amenhotep III,' this 'gigantic…

Our final stop is 'Medinet Habu,' the 'mortuary sanctuary built by Ramesses III'. This complex 'closes the period of all-powerful pharaohs and grandiose architecture' in the 'City of the Dead'. …

As we conclude our walk through 'Thebes, the Ancient City of Wonders,' we are left with 'images of a glorious past' that 'whisper with reverence'. We have seen the 'unimaginable heights' of the 'Temples of Karnak,' walked the…