Luxor Temple

Luxor Temple, located on the east bank of the Nile River in the heart of Luxor, is one of Egypt’s most majestic and well-preserved ancient temples. Built primarily during the reign of Pharaoh Amenhotep III in the 14th century BC and later expanded by Ramses II, the temple was dedicated to the Theban Triad of gods—Amun, Mut, and Khonsu. Unlike other temples in Egypt, Luxor Temple was not dedicated to a god or a king’s mortuary cult but was a sanctuary of kingship, where pharaohs were crowned, and rituals associated with the divine right to rule were performed.

The temple is renowned for its stunning architectural features, including towering columns, massive statues of Ramses II, and intricately carved hieroglyphs that depict important historical and religious scenes. The Avenue of Sphinxes, a 3-kilometer-long pathway lined with sphinx statues, once connected Luxor Temple to the Karnak Temple complex, underscoring its importance in the ceremonial life of ancient Thebes.