Sacred art in Luxor

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 have simple pits with less chambers and some others had complex pits with as many as one hundred and twenty chambers.

Many privileged nobles as well as all the royalty of the new Egyptian Kingdom; were buried here.

The tombs have various drawings, symbols and sacred art carved on them. From all the decorated articles and symbols, it can be said that these were powerful and affluent rulers, during their time.

Tombs of the nobles

Many of the powerful Egyptian nobility and courtiers; were buried right here in the Necropolis, almost alongside the Kings and Queens.

The Karnak Temple complex

This complex is a vast conglomeration of temples ruins and buildings. Pharaoh Ramses the second started its construction.

This complex is located about five hundred kilo meters south of Cairo and is near Luxor. The main place of worship was the Theban triad with the god Amun at its head. Although it is out of Luxor, it is and was part of Thebes.

Luxor Temple

This is a large ancient Egyptian complex that is located on the east bank of the river Nile. The Luxor temple complex was known as the southern sanctuary. The temple sanctuary was made in tribute to the Theban Triad of Amun, Mut and Chons.

Valley of the Queens

The valley of the Queens, is where the wives of pharaohs were buried during the time of their death. It was also called ‘the place of the children of the Pharaoh’ this is because along with the Queens, Princes and Princesses were also buried here. There were mortuary priests who would be caretakers to the royal tombs and they would make offerings and pray for the dead.

Theban Necropolis

This is an area that lies to the west bank of the river Nile and lies opposite Thebes. This is the place that was used as a categorized burial ground for people during ancient Egypt.

Come to Luxor and explore Sacred Art and temples in the ancient city of Thebes.