Karnak Temple Complex - Luxor

Karnak Temple Complex (in ancient Egyptian Ipet Shut, the most revered place) is the largest place of worship in ancient Egypt, dedicated to the deities of the Trinity of Thebes. It takes its current name from the adjacent small village of Karnak, located on the banks of the Nile and about two and a half kilometers north of Luxor. Visitors to the area, especially foreigners, do not see the difference between Luxor and el-Karnak, as both sites are part of the same urban complex.

Karnak Temple is twice the size of this village, and is the main attraction in the area. It is essentially al-Karnak, is used worldwide for the temple and not the village.
The temple area is essentially a huge open-air museum and the largest place of worship of antiquity in the world. It is probably the second most visited archeological site in Egypt, after the Pyramids of Giza near Cairo.

It consists of four main parts, of which only one is accessible to visitors. This section also contains the main temple and is the largest of the four. The term Karnak is commonly used - incorrectly - as a synonym for the Temple of Ammon Ra, as this is the only part of the site that visitors see. The other three sections, although more ancient, are closed to the public.

There are also some smaller temples and shrines located outside the wall that encloses the four main parts, as well as many cobbled streets that connect the place of worship of Mut, Ammon Ra and the Temple of Luxor.

The main difference between Karnak and most of the other archeological sites in Egypt is the time required for its development and the duration of its use. Construction began in the 16th century BC. and about thirty Pharaohs contributed to the construction, thus giving Karnak a size, complexity and variety not found anywhere else. A few features of Karnak are unique, but the size and number of its elements is huge. The construction of the temples began during the Middle Kingdom and continued until the time of the Ptolemaic Dynasty.

Main parts

Place of worship of Ammon-Ra

This is the largest sub-area of ​​the temple complex and is dedicated to Amonas Ra, the chief god of the Trinity of Thebes.

Place of worship of Montu

Dedicated to Montu, son of Ammon Ra and Mut and god of war of the Trinity of Thebes. It is located north of the Ammon complex and is much smaller in size. It is closed to the public.

Place of worship of Mut

This section, northeast of the Ammons-Ra complex, is dedicated to the mother deity of the Trinity of Thebes, Mut. It is surrounded by many smaller temples, and has its own sacred lake. It has been severely damaged and many parts of it have been used in other constructions. It is closed to the public.

Temple of Amenhotep IV

The temple built by Akenaton (Amenhotep IV) was located east of the main complex, outside the walls of the area of ​​Ammon-Ra. It was destroyed after Akhenaten's death and its full size and design are currently unknown.

Visiting dates: -

From nine o'clock in the morning until five o'clock in the evening.

Ticket price:-

The price of the museum entry ticket for the Egyptians: -

The price of a ticket to enter the museum for Egyptians is 20 Egyptian pounds, on various days.

Museum ticket price for Egyptian students: -

The museum ticket price for students is only 5 pounds, provided that the university card is presented for the current academic year.

Museum ticket price for foreigners: -

The price of entry ticket to the museum for foreigners is only 160 pounds.

Museum ticket price for foreign students: -

The museum entrance ticket for the foreign student is 80 pounds.

To view more about the prices of tickets for archaeological sites through the official website of the Ministry of Antiquities through the following link: -

Website of the Ministry of Antiquities

 

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