Introduction :
Luxor is a city located in Egypt under the Luxor governate and measures a total of 416 square km. It has often be characterized as the greatest open air museum in the world for the ancient monuments and history within the city which is known as Thebes in the ancient days. The city is a important archaelogical site and famous tourist attraction in Egypt and contributes a large part towards the economy of the country.
The Luxor City overview
Image attribution to Robert F @ Flickr
Attractions :
Temple of Karnak – Built around 1600 BC dedicated to Pharoah Amun and the 2nd most popular tourist attraction in the whole of Egypt
Luxor Temple – Built during the 18th dynasty b Amenhotep III in the 1400 BC with Ramses II adding to the construction.
Temple of Medinet Habu – Also known as the Mortuary temple of Ramesses III , the temple inscribed drawings on the adventure and dedeat of the Sea People during his reign and is the 2nd largest temple in Luxor built around 1200 BC.
Colossi of Memnon – Massive statues built of stone by Pharaoh Amenhotep III 3400 years ago
Valley of the Kings – Burial place for Pharaohs in particular containing over 60 tombs from 1539 BC to 1075 BC
Temple of Hatshesput – Constructed for the famous female pharaoh of Egypt, Hatshesput built against the cliff with carvings and statues in the ancient temple built around 1503
Ramses II statue at the entrance to Luxor Temple
Image attribution to Charlie Philips @ Flickr
Close up view on the pillars at the Temple of Karnak
Image attribution to Michel27 @ Flickr
Temple of Medinet Habu
Image attribution to Merlin-UK @ Wiki
History :
The ancient name of Luxor was Thebes and was the great capital of Egypt during the Egyptian Empire during the the New Kingdom around 1570 BC to 1090 BC. The city attracted people from all over the ancient world such as the Babylonians, the Jitties and the Phoenicians. The political importance of the city fated during the Late Period in Egyptian history around 664 BC onwards when the capital city were shifted to the Northern part of the country until the 1800 BC where archaelogical activities started to flourish around the city.
The giant stone statues at the Colossi of Memnon
Image attribution to Waywyn @ Flickr
Inside at the Valley of the Kings
Image attribution to Shelbyroot @ Flickr
The Temple of Hatshesput
Getting there :
As Luxor is a popular tourist destination, the nearest airport is only 6km from the city itself at the Luxor International Airport (LXR)