Luxor Temple - Egypt

In Luxor (ancient Thebes) there are several great temples on both the east and west banks of the Nile.
 

This temple is located on the east bank of the Nile River and construction was begun 
by Amenhotep III (1390-52 BC) but completed by Tutankhamun (1336-27 BC) and Horemheb (1323-1295 BC). It was later added to by Rameses II (1279-13 BC).

Peristyle colonnade of the Luxor Temple. Notice the Papyrus topped columns.

The temple has been in constant use throughout its history
Toward the rear is a granite shrine dedicated to Alexander the Great (332-305 BC).

During the Roman era, the temple and its surroundings were a legionary fortress and the home of the Roman government in the area.
Later it was a Christian church and a mosque.

Unlike the other temples in Thebes, Luxor temple is not dedicated to a cult god or a deified version of the king in death. Instead Luxor temple is dedicated to the rejuvenation of kingship,

This is a view of part of the processional entrance to the temple

 

The entrance to the temple itself is known as the first pylon.  It was built by Ramesses II.

An avenue of human headed sphinxes of over one and a half miles (3 km) once connected the temples of Karnak and Luxor. 

The twin of this obelisk resides in Paris.

Obélisque de Louxor in the centre of the Place de la Concorde

The obelisk is 23m high. Its made of yellow granite and weighs over 250 metric tonnes). It is decorated with hieroglyphs exalting the reign of the king Ramses II and decorated with reliefs of his military exploits, including the Battle of Kadesh.

The obelisk was originally fronted by six statues of Ramses II , four seated and two standing, but only two of the seated figures and one standing remain.
 

 

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