Abydos

Welcome to Abydos, known in ancient Egyptian as 'Abdju,' one of the oldest and most significant cities in the history of the Nile Valley. Situated about three hours north of Luxor, this site has been a center of pilgrimage and…

As you pass through the main entrance of the Temple of Seti I, you find yourself in the First Hypostyle Hall. This area was actually completed by Seti’s son, the famous Ramesses II, after his father’s death. …

Moving into the inner sanctum, you encounter the most unique feature of this temple: the Seven Chapels. Unlike standard Egyptian temples which usually have one or three sanctuaries, Abydos has seven contiguous shrines dedicated…

Continuing along the left side of the temple, you enter a corridor that contains one of the most important archaeological treasures in the world: the Abydos King List. Carved into the wall is a chronological list of seventy-six…

Near the King List, you will find scenes of the young Prince Ramesses undergoing his rites of passage. One of the most famous images shows him participating in the 'Catching of the Bull.' To prove his physical strength and…

Exit the rear of the main temple and look down into the massive, megalithic structure known as the Osireion. This building is one of the great mysteries of Egyptian architecture. …

A short walk from the main complex brings you to the Temple of Ramesses II. While smaller than his father’s temple, it is renowned for its historical murals, particularly the detailed depictions of the Battle of Kadesh. …

As you complete your journey through the sacred precinct of Abydos, you have walked through five thousand years of human history. From the early burials of the first kings to the grand artistic expressions of the New Kingdom,…