Updated May 26, 2023
Must Visit Temples in Luxor
Luxor, the world’s open-air museum, comprises eye-catchy sights of ancient temples. This Egyptian city is best known for its historic civilization remnants. Looking forward to exploring the Egyptian temples in Luxor? Here are eight visit-worthy temples in Luxor to visit in 2023
Top 8 Temples in Luxor
Here are the top 8 most popular Temples in Luxor:-
#1 Amun Temple
- Dedicated to Amun-Re, the God of War, it is one of the must-visit temples in Luxor.
- Built during the reign of the princess of Thebes during the New Kingdom, the temple inspires archaeologists and historians to study the wonders of Egyptian history.
- The former dock, Quay of Amun, and paintings in the tomb of Nakht are a wonder to behold. On the east, one can witness Egyptian ram-headed sphinxes.
#2 Luxor Temple
- In the heart of Luxor, the New Kingdom Pharaohs Amenhotep and Ramses II built this graceful monument. Its modified Al Uqsur fortifications exude the elegance of Egyptian legacy.
- Known as Southern Sanctuary, it also nestles a 14th-century mosque dedicated to local sheik Abu Al Haggag of that time.
- Its 24m-tall pylon and Great Court of Ramses II, latter surrounded by lotus buds, are one of the temple’s highlights.
#3 Mut Temple
- Built by Amenhotep III, Mut temple is an ancient Egyptian temple dedicated to the goddess Mut, the wife of Amun-Re.
- It comprises two courts, a hypostyle hall, and a sanctuary. The temple’s highlights are the avenue of sphinxes leading to the temple with 700 black granite statues of the lion-headed goddess Sekhmet.
- The small temples dedicated to their son and Ramses II are also renowned.
#4 Montu Temple
- This 18th-century temple is one of the still preserved temples in Luxor. Dedicated to God Montu, the falcon-headed god of War, he was an important deity in the Thebean history.
- Initially destroyed, the kings of the late Middle Kingdom, New Kingdom, and Late Period rebuilt the temple today, surviving with Greco-Roman intricacies.
- This triple portal facade temple also reveres Harpocrates and Rattaway. Paintings of the dancing goddess, musicians, and singers decorate its walls. The granite doorway is also a must-see for its visitors.
#5 Deir el Bahari Temple
- This one of the famous historical temples in Luxor is the mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut, the fifth ruler of the 18th century.
- Designed by queen’s architect Senenmut, the entrances on its lower terrace stand out from the rest of the structure.
- Deir el Bahari temple depicts the glorious birth of Queen Hatshepsut and her expedition journey to Punt, the land of incense.
- The remarkable smiling Osiris statues of the queen looking out over the valley are striking sights of the temple.
- The eye-catching vibrant reliefs that decorate the temple walls are onlooker favorites.
#6 Remesseum Temple
- It is the mortuary temple of pharaoh Ramesses II and is one of the New Kingdom royal burial sites.
- Though currently in a bad state due to Nile flooding, it is highly renowned for the scattered remains on its complex. The ruins of the statues became the inspiration of English poet Shelley who penned ‘Ozymandias.’
- Its orthodox temple layout comprises hypostyle halls, a sanctuary, two courts, and some chambers and storehouses.
- The striking feature of the Remesseum temple is the modification of the usual rectangular flooring to incorporate the temple revering Ramses II’s mother, Tuya.
- The reliefs featuring Ramses’ battles, including against the Hittites, remain well-preserved to explore by its visitors.
#7 Medinet Habu Temple
- Renowned as the Temple of Rameses III, it is a funerary temple of Rameses III.
- Imitation of the design of Syrian migdol fortresses, its gateway is one of the peculiar among the temples in Luxor.
- Also formerly used as a Christen church, Medinet Habu temple is a historic structure with a rich history.
- The exterior wall carvings portray scenes of Rameses III’s War with the Libyans and the Sea people. The carvings on its interiors are no less attractive, with some still retaining the original paintwork.
- The scenes depicting the hunting trips and prisoner executions are some of the snapshots of the life of Rameses III.
#8 Karnak Temple
- This temple is amongst the most renowned temples in Luxor and even Egypt. Revered as the point of creation by Egyptians, this temple commemorates the meeting of God Amun-Ra and Egyptians.
- More than 1,000 years old, Karnak temple is the largest of all temples in Luxor. Its complex is also the site of the ever-famous Temple of Amun-Ra, believed to be the site where God Amun-Ra lived with his family on Earth.
- Its exterior carvings and hieroglyphs are the Luxor’s ever-famous, especially among history enthusiasts.
- Karnak Temple represents Egypt’s religious practices and beliefs, with deities from the very oldest to the latest.
- The exploration of the Egyptian city of Luxor is complete with sights of its temples. The temples in Luxor are best to explore in 2023.
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