Luxor Temple

Welcome to the Luxor Temple, known to the ancient Egyptians as 'Ipet-Resyt,' or the 'Southern Sanctuary.' As a scholar of royal ritual, I find this site unique because, unlike most temples dedicated to a specific god, Luxor…

We begin at the massive First Pylon, the work of Ramesses II. This entrance is a classic example of royal propaganda. …

Entering the first court, you are surrounded by a double row of papyrus-bud columns. This area, added by Ramesses II, is notable for its unusual orientation, slightly angled to align with the processional way toward Karnak. …

Moving southward, we enter the magnificent Colonnade of Amenhotep III. This is a dramatic passage formed by seven pairs of 16-meter-high open-papyrus columns. …

We now emerge into the Sun Court of Amenhotep III, one of the most beautiful and well-proportioned spaces in all of Egypt. It is a large, open courtyard surrounded on three sides by a double row of papyrus-bundle columns. …

Continuing inward, we reach a small hypostyle hall that leads to the inner sanctuary. This area contains a fascinating and often overlooked scholarly detail: Roman-era frescos. …

As we conclude our tour, we must look out from the temple entrance toward the north. Stretching out from the pylon is the legendary Avenue of Sphinxes. …

Our journey through Luxor Temple has taken us from the bombastic pylons of Ramesses II to the quiet, Roman-frescoed halls of the inner sanctuary. This temple is a masterpiece of architectural evolution, representing the height of…