Temples of Ancient Egypt

Ancient Egypt relied heavily on religion especially in regards to daily life. Pharaohs were said to be able to trace their roots back to the Egyptian pantheon gods. Some Pharaohs allied with different cults, decorating temples they specifically built with their own political status. The temples of Ancient Egypt are certainly some of the highlights to see on America Israel Travel tours of Egypt, astonishing travelers with their elaborately painted walls, extensive colonnaded courts, and impressively columned hypostyle halls.

Abu Simbel Temples in Nubia

Ramses II is arguably the most accomplished monument and temple builder of all the Pharaohs. The Great Temple of Abu Simbel and the Temple of Hathor are two of his greatest temples and can be seen on trips to Abu Simbel. The temples were at one time approximately 60 meters below where they can be viewed today, however, they were part of a UNESCO operation. The UNESCO operation's purpose was to save some of the Great Temples of Ancient Egypt from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. The temples were embedded into the mountains and had to be cut free, dismantled, and then rebuilt. America Israel Travel suggests that when you travel to Abu Simbel that you make a stop to view these great pyramids, which make tours to Egypt that much more spectacular.

The Temple of Queen Hatshepsut in Thebes

Queen Hatshepsut´s temple can be found at the base of a tall limestone mountain in the dry desert of Thebes. The greatest female Pharaoh, Hatshepsut, lead Egypt through 20 years of peace and prosperity despite having to fend off those that wished to overtake her throne. The temple is partially embedded into the mountainside and spans nearly 40 meters in width. It naturally blends with the recesses and lines of the mountain behind it with its honeycomb-like colonnades. An extension of Mentuhotep II's temple, Hatshepsut's temple is several times its size, though from a distance the two blend into each other until one is indistinguishable from the other.

The Temple of Luxor

No Luxor tour would be complete without a stop at Amenhotep III's Temple of Luxor. While Ramses II's twin giant twin statues stand sentry at the entrance of the temple, Amenhotep III's temple is unimaginably amazing to view in person. It is believed that several of the rulers of Ancient Egypt added to the splendor of the Temple of Lexor-rulers from Tutankhamun to Alexander the Great. Luxor tours often stop at the Temple of Luxor as visitors enjoy seeing the majesty of this temple in person.

The Temple of Karnak

The Temple of Karnak was the primary place of worship during Theban power throughout all of Ancient Egypt. Several Pharaohs built, enlarged, restored, and embellished the temple over time. The Temple of Karnak is composed of obelisks, sanctuaries, and pylons dedicated to the Pharaohs and their glory. The site itself is huge-1.5 km by 800 m. Many find it difficult to describe this immense monument, which is why America Israel Travel suggests visitors on tours of Ancient Egypt see it for themselves if possible.

The Temple of Horus in Edfu

The Temple of Horus has been well preserved, largely due to the fact it is newer than many of the other temples. The fact that it is in such amazing shape has helped to fill in historical gaps. It contains a beautiful granite shrine, which once housed a golden statue of Horus. Many travel to Egypt to see the temple of Horus during their journeys.

The Temple of Amada in Nubia

The Temple of Amada, like other temples, was saved from Lake Nasser's rising waters and moved to drier, higher ground. It is said to have the most beautifully preserved reliefs on its walls done in the Nubian style. It was dedicated to Amun-Ra and Ra-Hor-Akhty, gods of the New Kingdom, and built through the efforts of Tuthmosis II and his son Amonhotep II. Though the temple suffered under Akhenaten's rule, Ramses II restored a great deal of the temple to its prior glory. Tours in Ancient Egypt often stop at sites such as the Temple of Amada because it is such a well-preserved example of the accomplishmentsThe Temple of Amada, like other temples, was saved from Lake Nasser's rising waters and moved to drier, higher ground. It is said to have the most beautifully preserved reliefs on its walls done in the Nubian style. It was dedicated to Amun-Ra and Ra-Hor-Akhty, gods of the New Kingdom, and built through the efforts of Tuthmosis II and his son Amonhotep II. Though the temple suffered under Akhenaten's rule, Ramses II restored a great deal of the temple to its prior glory. Tours in Ancient Egypt often stop at sites such as the Temple of Amada because it is such a well-preserved example of the accomplishments.

The Temple of Dakka in Nubia

From Wadi es-Sebua it is a fifteen minute desert walk to the Temple of Dakka, though it originally stood 40 km north of its current location. Dedicated to the god of Wisdom Thot, it was constructed between the reigns of Nubian Pharaoh Arkamani in 3rd century BC to the end of the reign of Emperor Augustus. The 12-meter high pylon is a popular stop on guided tours to Egypt because of its incredible view over the lake. The smallest of the three temples is Maharraqa, which has a rare and interesting spiral staircase. Spiral staircases were uncommon in Ancient Egypt.

The Temple of Isis in Aswan

Though small in comparison to ancient Egypt pyramids, the Temple of Isis was built to honor the goddess Isis, creator of all, and the Nile. Legends say Isis decided to live on this island to grieve the death of her husband and brother, Osiris, who was murdered by Seth. It is said that Isis found the heart of Osiris on Philae. The temple and surrounding structures were built during the first century AD. Worship of Isis continued at the temple until its closure in 537, after which it was converted into a church.

The Temple of Hathor in Dendera

The Temple of Hathor dates back roughly to the 1st century AD, though the site was most likely occupied from very ancient times. Construction of the temple began during the reign of Ptolemy IX, but was completed by Roman emperors. It was dedicated to the goddess Hathor, goddess of music, celebration, and love, and was gradually absorbed into the Greek Aphrodite cult.

Kom Ombo Temples in Kom Ombo

The Kom Ombo Temples of Sobek and Karoeris are visible from the Nile as they overlook a wide bend in the river. Constructed during the Ptolemaic period, they stand on a rock that emerges from the sand. The Kom Ombo Temples are two separate temples—one dedicated to the falcon-headed god Haroeris and the other dedicated to the crocodile-headed god Sobek. The site is positioned along two parallel axes. They are certainly worth viewing on a tour to the pyramids through Egypt

The Temple of Khnum in Esna

The Temple of Khnum, the ram-god, managed to withstand the test of time possibly due to the fact it was buried under layers of silt that were deposited over time by the flooding of the Nile. This is a great example of Graeco-Roman architecture due to its hypostyle hall. Those interested in viewing Graeco-Roman architecture should check to see if a stop at the Temple of Khnum is on the itinerary of their travel to Ancient Egypt.