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The Temple of Luxor does not boast the same depth that
Luxor Temple Karnak does; Karnak is significantly older and was impacted by
many pharaohs, whereas Luxor reflects just a few of Ancient
Egypt's leaders

• Built around 1400 BC, the Luxor Temple was built to honors the god, Amun. Constructed from sandstone and designed with
large statues, this large temple complex witnessed the crowning of many pharaohs.

• In addition to large statues of Ramesses II, the Luxor Temple originally had two obelisks made of graphite.

• The construction of the temple was initiated by Amenhotep III and later completed by Tutankhamun and Horemheb, while
additional statues were built by Ramses II.

• At the center of the complex is a sanctuary of three chapels to honor Amun, Mut, and Junsu. The entrance is guarded by bas-
reliefs of Ramses II and his military campaigns against the Hittites.

• Originally, the temple was comprised of a massive colonnade with fourteen papyri form columns about 19 meters high.
• Most necessary elements of an Egyptian temple can be seen at Luxor.

• Avenue of sphinxes leading to the great double-towered pylon entrance fitted with the flagpoles and the
pennants.

• Before the pylon a pair of obelisks and colossal statues of the king.

• Within the pylon a court which lead to a pillared hall, the hypostyle.

• Smaller hall where offerings could be done at the heart of the temple.

• In addition, there were storage chambers for temple equipment ,sometimes a crypt.

• Outside the main temple building there was a lake, or at least a well, for the water needed in the rituals.

• in later times there might also be a birth house (mammisi) to celebrate the king’s divine birth.

• With the whole service buildings, was contained by a massive mud brick wall.
Point of interest

Statues of Ramses II near the Pylon of Luxor Temple Pylon and Obelisk of
Sanctuary of Luxor Temple
Ramses II

Sun court of Amenhotep III The Avenue of Sphinxes at night Barque Shrine of Theban Triad
 Construction and martial

• The Luxor Temple was built with sandstone from the Gebel el-Silsila area, which is located in South-Western
Egypt. sandstone is referred to as Nubian sandstone which was used in the Construction for monuments
in Upper Egypt as well as in the course of past and current restoration works.

• A common technique used was symbolism, or illusionism.

• he Luxor Temple, the two obelisks (the smaller one closer to the west is now at the 
Place de la Concorde in Paris) flanking the entrance were not the same height, but they created the
illusion that they were.

• Symbolically, it is a visual and spatial effect to emphasize the heights and distance from the wall, enhancing the
already existing pathway
 Egyptian common technique of illusion
Egyptian common technique of symbolism

The original two obelisks, as

seen in 1832. The one on the
right is now in Plutocracies,
known as the Obelisk

Nubian sandstone Colossal statues of Ramses II flanking

the entrance to the temple complex at
Luxor, Egypt.