The Karnak Temple Complex is located near Luxor, some 500 km south of Cairo, in Egypt which is mainly made of temples, chapels, pylons, and other buildings. Karnak was the ancient Egyptian Ipet-isut. This can be seen as the world’s largest ancient religious site. It consists of four main parts as Precinct of Amun-Re, Precinct of Mut, the Precinct of Montu, and the dismantled Temple of Amenhotep IV. There also are a few smaller temples and sanctuaries located outside the enclosing walls of the four main parts, as well as several avenues of goddess and ram-headed sphinxes connecting the Precinct of Mut, the Precinct of Amun-Re, and the Luxor Temple.
What makes Karnak different from others is that the length of time over which it was developed and used. Approximately thirty pharaohs contributed to the buildings, enabling it to reach a size, complexity, and diversity not seen elsewhere. Hypostyle Hall in the Precinct of Amun-Re which is about 5000m2 with 134 massive columns arranged in 16 rows is most famous in here. The architraves on top of these columns must be at least 70 tons. There is an unfinished pillar in an out of the way location that indicated how it would have been finished.
Precinct of Amun-Re is the largest of the complex and is dedicated to Amun-Re, the chief deity of the Theban Triad. This part has several colossal statues and one of the largest obelisks weighing 328 tonnes and standing 29 meters tall. Precinct of Mut is located to the south of the Amen Re complex which is dedicated to the mother goddess, Mut, who became identified as the wife of Amun-Re in the eighteenth dynasty Theban Triad.
Precinct of Montu is dedicated to the son of Mut and Amun-Re, Montu, the war-god of the Theban Triad. It is located to the north of the Amun-Re complex and is much smaller in size. Temple of Amenhotep IV was located east of the main complex. It was destroyed immediately after the death of its builder, who had attempted to overcome the powerful priesthood who had gained control over Egypt before his reign. It was so thoroughly demolished that its full extent and layout is currently unknown. The priesthood of that temple regained their powerful position as soon as Akhenaten died, and were instrumental in destroying many records of his existence.
Travellers' Giude
If you are planning to visit the Karnak Temple complex, is located about 2.5 km north of Luxor. You can arrive there by bus as most of the tourists do or if you prefer you can walk this distance.
.jpg)
