The Temples of Karnak

Yes, temples in the plural. But the greatest and grandest part is the Temple of Amon, one of the most important gods of ancient Egypt.


Avenue of ram-headed sphinxes and first pylon	Rams and dog

It's fantastic! Reliefs everywhere -- and often very beautiful ones. Lovely avenues of ram-headed sphinxes, enormous pylons, beautiful columns and statues. But the real miracle is the Great Hypostyle Hall. It's breath-taking, magnificent -- the most beautiful architectural structure we've seen since our visit to Khajuraho!


The great hypostyle hall in the Temple of Amon

The walls are covered with an incredible number of reliefs of pharaohs and gods.


Pharaoh kneeling before a god	The multiple images of the carriers indicate that there are several of them superposed

One still sees traces of color above the level to which the sand rose during centuries. Karnak was under construction for 17 centuries! The pharaohs constructed for eternity. And we?


Original colors	It's hard to see the colors on the columns

Egypt often makes us think of India -- there are too many similarities to avoid thinking of it and too many differences to say that they are two similar countries. One sees poverty and religion everywhere, but they are less noticeable here.

We leave the lineup of ram-headed sphinxes for another lineup...

Return to Luxor or to the introduction page.