The temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo, both dating back to the Ptolemaic period, are the two most popular landmarks in between Luxor and Aswan. They’re common stops on Nile River cruises, but I made the journey by road, visiting four destinations over the course of a long but rewarding day trip. (Learn more below). …
While Aswan is just a few hours from Luxor by rail, the land between the two cities is home to a myriad of ancient wonders. During my travels, I opted for the slow route, arranging for a driver to make several stops along the way. The first two stops of the journey were Esna and …
Widely regarded as one of Egypt’s most beautiful and best-preserved temples, Dendera Temple was established during the Greco-Roman era. But construction was taking place at the spot since at least the Old Kingdom. An inscription on site, meanwhile, states that the temple plans date from a far more ancient era when Egypt was ruled by …
Abydos is perhaps Egypt’s most ancient necropolis, having been used for important burials since Predynastic times. The city was a popular pilgrimage spot for thousands of years, and pharaohs from all eras of Egyptian history constructed tombs and temples here. In fact, it was believed to be the resting place of the Lord of the Underworld himself, …
Egyptian civilization persisted for thousands of years with its art and religion remaining largely unchanged. That is, except for one brief 17-year period in the 14th century BC. Had Pharaoh Akhenaten merely moved the capital and changed some religious rites, perhaps his reign would be little more than a minor footnote in the annals of …
Shadowing the Aten: Hunting for Amarna Art Across Egypt Read More »
Luxor (or Thebes) was the religious capital of Egypt throughout the entire New Kingdom period. Accordingly, this is where most of the important nobles’ tombs from the era can be found. And many of them still retain their vibrant color today. Even if you’ve spent considerable time at places like Saqqara, the tombs of Luxor …
The Valley of the Kings, in use for around 500 years, is where most rulers of Egypt’s New Kingdom era chose to be buried. The tombs were carved into the limestone hill of Al-Qurn in Luxor’s west bank, which curiously resembles a pyramid. Today, these tombs provide us with valuable insight into how the Egyptians …
A Complete Guide to The Valley of the Kings (and Queens) Read More »
In ancient Egypt, the west side of the Nile River was synonymous with the setting sun, completion and death. That’s why, in addition to the tombs themselves, numerous pharaohs built elaborate temples here to sustain their spirit after death. While the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut is undoubtedly the main highlight, there are some other gems, …
In ancient Egypt, the temple was much more than a place of worship. Each one could be likened to a multidimensional book with a focus on a particular teaching. This interpretation was developed by French researcher R.A. Schwaller de Lubicz, who spent nearly two decades at Luxor Temple, taking measurements and examining the reliefs. From …
Karnak, the largest temple ever built by the ancient Egyptians, was in constant use for over 1,500 years. It was in a perpetual state of construction, which is quite fitting, as Karnak Temple was consecrated to creation itself. Accordingly, the complex is massive, and finding your way around can be confusing. This following Karnak Temple …