nile cruise ship semiramis II
Egypt - cruise on the Nile
~ The Temple of Karnak ~
UNESCO World Heritage
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Egyppt itinerary
cruise ship
Nile views
Karnak
Luxor
Thebes-West
Edfu
Kom Ombo

Temple of Karnak - statue of Ramses II with daughter Bintanath The temples of Karnak and Luxor were in ancient times part of the upper Egyptian city Thebes, which was over a long time the capital and the cultural center of the Pharaoh's empire and is known as the city of the hundred gateways. 

temple of Karnak - avenue of ram-headed sphinxesIt is a sight of sublime and majestic beauty.  An avenue of ram-headed sphinxes leads the visitor towards the main entrance of the temple.  Monumental Pylons, of a height of more than 40 m, colossal statues such as those of  Ramses II, the gigantic obelisks of the Hapschepsut and above all the gigantic columns of the famous hypostyle hall – which reach at the middle road a height of 24m, inspire the visitor with awe and deep admiration for the overwhelming achievements of a past culture which survived millenniums.

temple of Karnak hypostyle hall, colonnadeThe temple building was begun in the 12th dynasty (1991-1785 BC) and was continued over centuries.  With an area of about 100 h, Karnak is the largest and probably also the most impressive temple complex in the world. The main temple in the heart of the complex is dedicated to God Amun and was built in the 18th dynasty (1552-1306 BC)  The gem of Karnak however is the famous and well preserved hypostyle hall (columns hall) with its 134 columns - a masterstroke of ancient Egyptian architecture under Setos I and Ramses II (19. dynasty, 1306-1186 BC). temple of Karnak hieroglyphesAbout 80,000 people employed for the building and decoration of the temple! 

Columns and walls of the temple are covered with paintings and reliefs, which describe in pictures and hieroglyphs the life and the heroic deeds of the pharohs, as well as the Egyptian mythology.
 

temple of Karnak hypostyle hall
temple of Karnak hypostyle hall
temole of Karnak - statues

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