Nov 2009
The first thing that you see a soon a you get of the Train is the beautiful Luxor tempel.
It’s just 3500 hudred years of history sanding there for you to soak in,glance over or revel in as per your inclinations.
The barque chapels, just behind the first pylon are the earliest parts of the temple which are still standing . They were built by the only woman to be a Pharoah Hatshepsut. but it was later appropriated by Tuthmosis III. The main part of the temple – the colonnade and the sun court were built by Amenhotep III, and there is a later addition by Rameses II, who built the entrance pylon, and the two obelisks, linked the Hatshepsut buildings with the main temple.One of the obelisks was taken to France, and is now at the centre of the Place de la Concorde.
To the rear of the temple are chapels built by Tuthmosis III, and Alexander. During the Roman era, the temple and its surroundings were a legionary fortress and the home of the Roman government in the area.
It was founded in 1400 BCE. and the temple was dedicated to the Theban Triad of Amun, Mut, and Chons. It was built during the New Kingdom.
At the entrance you are greeted by an obelisk and 2 huge statues of RamsesII, sitting in grandeur at the entrance of the temple.
Another thing you notce is the small chapel outside the main temple made by the Romans ,dedicated to a Goddess
There is also a huge walkway lined on both sides by sphinx which conected Luxor to Karnak Temple. Parts of this are still being excavated and can be seen in the city.
After you enter inside you see a mosque built over the ruins on the left, built bt Abdul Hagag.
Side view of mosque within temple
I was very fascinated by the mark left in Luxor temple by all the various rulers of Egypt.
It has a mosque a Roman chapel, a Coptic chapel and a barque chapel made by Alexander the great!It’s carved walls show Alexander as a Pharoah.
The columns and ever present statues!
One interesting group of statues shows Tutankhamen and his wife in a sitting position.By the way Tutankhamen’s wife was the daughter of the famous Queen Nefrititi!
There are paintings on the wall of the Coptic chapel of Christain saints..
The entrance to Alexander’s chapel an dinscriptions and carvings on the walls, depicting Alexander as Pharoah
The ships dock very close to the temple and a walk at night with the ights shining on the temple is indeed a splendid sight.
The inscriptions on the walls of the chapels
Evenings in Luxor mean Tonga rides–or horse carraige rides.
Beware of the driversif you are negotiating with them yourself as they are quite capable of claiming that the price is in British pounds and not Egyptian pounds as you thought.
In fact everywhere do make sure you specify Egyptian pounds.
Our drver also tried the sam trick but we scolded im and he repented.
He wa however an intersting charcter who kept repeating that we were vey lucky to be with him as he would take us to a papyrus shop where the prices wee very low as there was no guide to act as a middleman and pocket half the profit. As he said today Mr. Hassle has died!
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