Around the World in 180 Days with D and N: Luxor: the East Bank

After our visit to Abu Simbel, we were afraid the rest of our time in Upper Egypt might be anti-climatic. This was not at all the case. There was such a variety of temples and tombs, and so much to learn at each of them, that each experience brought something new. The East Bank at Luxor contains the city itself, and the temples of Karnak and Luxor. We visited in the mid-afternoon, arriving at the Luxor temple at sunset.

The Temples of Karnak covers over a square mile, containing sanctuaries, kiosks, obelisks and a sacred lake. The largest temple was dedicated to the god Amun, with other huge complexes honoring his wife and son. It was the most important place of worship in Egypt during the New Kingdom, and was built, added to, amended and restored over a period of about 1500 years. Karnak was connected to the Luxor temple, almost two miles to the south, by the Avenue of the Sphinxes. During an annual festival, the images of the gods were carried between the two temples. Reconstruction has begun on the avenue, tearing down the buildings which had been erected over its route. Action during the Karnak Sound and Light Show is featured in the Bond movie, The Spy Who Loved Me. We'll watch it again when we get home!

The Luxor Temple, built largely from 1390 to 1213 BC, was dedicated to the phallic form of Amun. It was later added to by King Tutankhamen, Alexander the Great, and various Romans, so combines a variety of architectural styles. A fourteenth century mosque was built over a portion of the temple. With the discovery and subsequent excavation of the temple, entry to the mosque was moved and the original door is now high up on the wall of the mosque.