Luxor Temple & Karnak, East Bank

Today we focused on the east bank visiting the two major temples of Luxor and Karnak.

Luxor was largely built by the New Kingdom pharaohs of Amenhotep III (1390 - 1352 BCE) and Ramses II (1279 -1213 BCE).  It's main function was during the annual Opet celebrations when the statues of Amun, Mut and Khonsu were brought from Karnak along the 3km Avenue of the Sphinxes and reunited during the inundation. 

The massive 24 metre high first pylon (gateway) was raised by Ramses II and fronted by six colossal statues of himself.  One of the pair of pink granite obelisks remains while the other stands in the Place de la Concorde in Paris.  The deeper you move into the complex the further you walk back in time.  Through the Great Court of Ramses II then the Colonade of Amenhotep III you enter the Sun Court of Amenhotep III, once enclosed on three sides by double rows of towering papyrus bundle columns.  More courts and halls are passed until you reach the last chamber, the Sanctuary of Amenhotep III, once the most sacred part of the temple.  

Karnak is a massive complex of sanctuaries, kiosks, pylons and obelisks dedicated to the Theban triad of Amun, his consort Mut and their son Khonsu as well as the great glory of the pharaohs. The site is over 2 sq km (big enough to hold 10 cathedrals) and was built and added to over a period of 1500 years.  It was the most important place of worship in Egypt during the New Kingdom.