Temple of Karnak

[Comet Hunter]

Karnak Temple is the largest ancient religious complex ever built, located on the East Bank of Luxor (ancient Thebes) in Egypt. Dedicated mainly to the god Amun-Ra, this (sprawling 250+ acre site) served as the spiritual center of Egypt for nearly 2,000 years.

It was built, expanded, and decorated by successive pharaohs, including Ramses II and Hatshepsut, creating a massive collection of temples, sanctuaries, and pylons.

Key Usage Examples and Features

• Worship & Pilgrimage: It was the premier place of pilgrimage for ancient Egyptians to honor Amun-Ra.
• Opet Festival: The main site for the annual Opet festival, where the statue of Amun was processed to Luxor Temple to regenerate the god's power.
• The Great Hypostyle Hall: Known for its 134 massive, intricately carved columns in 16 rows.
• The Sacred Lake: Used for rituals and purification.
• Monumental Construction: Served as a showcase for pharaohs to declare their power through massive obelisks and shrines

As we came upon the entrance, we knew we were in for something special

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#4 So tall and stright

#5 Walking where kings once walked

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• The Great Hypostyle Hall: Known for its 134 massive, intricately carved columns in 16 rows.

So these things are over "11 feet" in dia. CHeck out rhe guy bottom middle which kinda shows the scale of these pillars!

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So massive
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# 12, if they could only talk

The tallest obelisk in Egypt (29.5 m, 97 ft) is in Temple of Amun at the Great Temple complex at Karnak and was erected by Hatshepsut who was a female pharaoh of Egypt in 1473–1458 BCE.

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#17. Man made lake

• The Sacred Lake: Used for rituals and purification.

 

[AlanLichty]

Makes you feel a bit small when everything around you is this oversized. The ceremonies that must have been held in this place were likely not small scale either.

 

[JimFox]

Wow... Where Kings once walked. What a great title. I think also where normal Egyptians walked over 4000 years ago.... amazing. I wonder what thoughts they thought? Or what they were discussing or thinking walking around those massive columns.

A really great series of photos Ed.