Africa, especially Egypt, is a home to the most ancient places in the world. The Pyramids, the Sphinx, and so many more astonishing places of history, not to forget a good number of ancestral places of worship. There is a line of dotted ancient temples, most located in the Nile Valley. They range from the Mediterranean coast, all the way to the southern border with the Sudan, many located elsewhere too. One of them, but one of its kind, is the temple of Dendera. It is located to the north of Luxor, about 60 kilometers away. It lies opposite to the modern town of Qena. This is the temple of the healing goddess Hathor. It is similar to many other temples in Egypt, yet simultaneously, very different from all of them. It is one such temple which is an example particularly providing food of knowledge about rich variety of the later temples  [...]

Luxor, which used to be Thebes, the capital of ancient Egypt. Today the city is the worlds greatest open air museum. The city now boasts ruins of unique ancient temples. The Karnak and the Luxor temple are within the city boundaries of modern day Luxor. The Sacred art in Luxor lies to the east of the river Nile and to the west, lies the valley of the King and the valley of the Queen and the Necropolis. Let us look at some of these sacred art places in Luxor. Valley of the Kings : Also called ‘valley of the gate of Kings’, is a valley in Egypt where lie the tombs of dead nobility from the eighteenth to the twentieth century. This place has a west valley and an east valley. Most of the royal tombs are located in the east valley. There are about sixty-three tombs in total in the valley of the Kings; as of 2008. Some tombs  [...]

Valley of Kings (‘Wadi el-Muluk’ in Arabic) is a valley in Egypt which is home to tombs of several pharaohs and powerful nobles of the New Kingdom dating back to Ancient Egypt. The tombs were constructed over 500 years between 16th century to 11th century BC. The valley is located on the West bank of the Nile, across of the modern day Luxor and beneath the peak of the pyramid-shaped mountain Al-Qurn. The widespread Egyptian religious culture of ‘death and the afterlife’ is best reflected by the Valley of Kings and other mausoleums and monuments existing in the necropolis of West Bank. The cemetery and the tombs have been given class security yet the onslaught of grave robbers could not be averted. The site remains open for the public from 6 am to 5 pm during summer and 6 am to 4 pm during winter. History: Valley of the Kings  [...]

Luxor Temple is an ancient Egyptian temple complex located in the modern day city of Luxor (ancient Thebes) on the eastern bank of River Nile (in Upper Egypt). The temple, which was founded in 1400 BC and was expanded in 1250 BC, is known as ‘ipet resyt’ in Egyptian language (meaning ‘the southern sanctuary’). Luxor Temple is dedicated to the trio of Amun, Mut, and Chons and was built during the New Kingdom. Luxor Temple is among the most famous and popular tourist destinations in Egypt and thousands from across the world pay visit to be a glad witness to this marvel of the ancient age. History: Luxor Temple was built by Amenhotep III. The architect of the construction work of the temple was Amenhotep, the son of Habu. The temple was constructed on the site of a small Temple of Amon. The structure was only 190 metres long  [...]

Bent Pyramid is located at Dahsur, the royal necropolis situated about 40 kilometres south of Cairo, the capital of Egypt. Bent Pyramid dates back to 2596 BC, the time of the Old Kingdom Pharaoh Sneferu and is a spectacular illustration of the early development of the wonder called pyramid. The pyramid gets its name from the sudden change in the angle halfway up. The pyramid is a top tourist attraction in Egypt. It remains open for public viewing from 8 am to 4 pm. ‘Bent’ nature: The lower portion of the pyramid rises at 55 degrees inclination while the top section is built at 43 degree angle, which gives the pyramid a ‘bent’ appearance. The pyramid has a height of 101 metres while its base is 188 metres. According to archaeologists, Bent pyramid marked a transition from step-sided to smooth-sided pyramids. Why bent construction? It  [...]

Dahshur North Pyramid, also known as Red Pyramid for its constituent reddish limestone, is the third largest pyramid in Egypt (after Khufu and Khafre Pyramids in Giza) and also one of the few mega structures of the ancient age whose interior is open for public viewing (timing: from 8 am to 4 pm). Local people refer the Red Pyramid as ‘el-haram el-watwat’, meaning the Bat Pyramid. The pyramid, although known as Red, was not always red. It had white Tura limestone, much of which was taken away for other buildings in Cairo during the middle ages, hence revealing the reddish limestone. History: Dahshur North Pyramid was built by Pharaoh Sneferu (2575-2551 BC), father of Khufu, builder of the Great Pyramid of Giza, who also built Bent Pyramid at Dahshur (one km north from Red Pyramid) and completed the pyramid at Meidum. Construction  [...]

The Step Pyramid of Djoser (also spelled ‘Djozer’ or ‘Zoser’) is located in North Saqqara in Egypt. It is the oldest stone pyramid in Egypt (although Gisr el-mudir, the nearby enclosure is claimed to have been built before) and is a significant architectural marvel of ancient Egypt. The pyramid is the central feature of a big mortuary complex in an huge courtyard surrounded by ceremonial structures and decoration. The temple remains open for the tourists daily from 8 am to 4 pm. Extra charges are levied for photography and video recording. History: The Step Pyramid was built during the reign of the 3rd Dynasty (2649-2575 BC) by Imhotep, the architect of pharaoh Djoser in honour of the latter. Imhotep was later deified as the patron god of architects and doctors. Djoser’s step pyramid was an absolute revolution in the  [...]

The pyramids of Giza in Egypt are the only surviving Ancient Wonders on planet earth and are one of the most popular tourist spots in the world. The pyramids remain open from 8 am till 4 pm. Information About Giza Pyramids: Greek historian Herodotus was told by Egyptian priests around 450 BC that the Great Pyramid had been built for the pharaoh Khufu, who was the second king of the Fourth Dynasty (c.2575–c. 2465 BC). The Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) was originally 146 metres high (now reduced to 137 metres by natural weathering). Over 2 million blocks of stone were used to construct this structure and all through manual labour only. Pyramid of Khafre (Chephren), which is a bit smaller than the Great Pyramid (at 471 metre high), but is better positioned on the desert plateau Pyramid of Menkaure (Mycerinus) is the smallest  [...]

Known as the Mortuary Temple of Ramses III, Medinet Habu is its Arabic identity. Located in Theban Necropolis (Luxor) in Egypt at 4 miles from Valley of the Kings on the Western Nile Bank, it is a vast complex considered after the temple of Karnak in size. Its well maintained state certainly deserves more admiration and visitors than what it is obtaining currently. Although the great pharoahs’ tombs are in the Valley of the Kings, they built grand mortuary temples in their memory and to honor the sacred cult. Ramses III (1186-1155 BC) was the second pharaoh of the Dynasty XX and his tomb is in Kings Valley 11, but Medinet Habu is dedicated to him. Considered quite holy even before Ramses, the location, even today, is believed by the local farmers to hold miraculous powers. Since its early time, the statues of Amun, Mut, and Khonsu  [...]

The Temple of Edfu is dedicated to the falcon-headed sky god, Horus with sun and moon as the eyes and is located in the town of Edfu located between Luxor and Aswan in Egypt. Also known as the Temple of Horus built during the Ptolemaic era from 257 to 237 A.D, it is the best maintained temple in Egypt today. The temple of Edfu is the second grand temple after the Karnak temple and exhibits the typical pharaonic architecture through one can make out the original work of these ancient Egyptian temples. Today, Edfu is a famous site that is accessible via a taxi or Nile cruise. The temple is currently oriented north-south and was buried under the sand since many centuries that has actually kept it intact. Horus Attractions Birth House: Before entering via the Pylon from the south, visit this pillared structure exhibiting a Greco-Roman  [...]