Photos From Karnak Temple - Luxor - Egypt

The temple of Karnak was known as Ipet-isut (Most select of places) by the ancient Egyptians. It is a city of temples built over 2000 years and dedicated to the Theben triad of Amon, Mut and Khonsu.

The largest place of worship ever made and a place of pilgrimage for nearly 4,000 years, this temple covers about 200 acres 1.5km by 0.8km The area of the sacred enclosure of Amon alone is 61 acres and would hold ten average European cathedrals. The great temple at the heart of Karnak is so big, St Peter's, Milan and Notre Dame Cathedrals could be lost within its walls. The Hypostyle hall at 54,000 square feet with its 134 columns is still the largest room of any religious building in the world. In addition to the main sanctuary there are several smaller temples and a vast sacred lake.

Karnak is the home of the god Amon who was an insignificant local god until the 12th dynasty when Thebes became the capital of Egypt. He was represented in his original state as a goose and later as a ram, at the height of his power he was shown as a human with a head dress of feathers. *

This avenue of ram-headed sphinxes was built by the Ethiopian kings (656 BC).

The second pylon leading into the enormous hypostyle hall was built by Seti I and his son Ramses II (between 1294 and 1213 BC)

See the colours still on the walls ?

The Sacred lake within the walls of the temple. All Egyptian temples had a sacred lake, Karnak's is the largest. It was used during festivals when images of the gods would sail across it on golden barges. Karnak was also the home of a flock of geese dedicated to Amon.

More Photos from Karnak Temple

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