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Temple of Karnak - Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis

Karnak, Egypt
17.10.2023

The Tempelanlage von Karnak, also known as the Karnak Temple Complex, is an impressive archaeological site located in the city of Karnak in Egypt. This vast complex is considered one of the largest religious complexes in the world and is a testament to the greatness of ancient Egyptian civilization.

The Tempelanlage von Karnak is dedicated to the worship of the god Amun-Ra, the king of the gods in ancient Egyptian mythology. The complex was built and expanded upon by many pharaohs over a period of 2,000 years, making it a unique architectural marvel with a rich history.

The most notable feature of the Tempelanlage von Karnak is the Great Hypostyle Hall, which covers an area of 50,000 square feet and contains 134 massive columns. These columns are adorned with intricate carvings and hieroglyphics, depicting scenes from ancient Egyptian mythology and history. The sheer size and grandeur of this hall is awe-inspiring and gives visitors a sense of the power and wealth of the ancient Egyptians.

Other significant structures within the complex include the Precinct of Amun-Ra, the Temple of Khonsu, the Temple of Ptah, and the Avenue of Sphinxes. Each of these structures showcases the advanced architectural and engineering skills of the ancient Egyptians, with intricate carvings, detailed reliefs, and impressive statues.

The Tempelanlage von Karnak also played a significant role in the religious practices of ancient Egypt, with festivals and ceremonies being held within its walls. The complex was also a major pilgrimage site for worshippers of Amun-Ra, who would travel from all over Egypt to pay their respects and make offerings.

Today, the Tempelanlage von Karnak continues to be a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from all over the world. Its impressive size, intricate details, and rich history make it a must-see for anyone interested in ancient Egyptian culture and architecture. The site is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, ensuring its preservation for future generations to appreciate and admire. A visit to the Tempelanlage von Karnak is a journey back in time, allowing visitors to experience the magnificence of ancient Egypt firsthand.


Thebes, the city of the god Amon, was the capital of Egypt during the period of the Middle and New Kingdoms. With the temples and palaces at Karnak and Luxor, and the necropolises of the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens, Thebes is a striking testimony to Egyptian civilization at its height.

The Karnak Temple Complex, commonly known as Karnak (), comprises a vast mix of temples, pylons, chapels, and other buildings near Luxor, Egypt. Construction at the complex began during the reign of Senusret I (reigned 1971–1926 BCE) in the Middle Kingdom (c. 2000–1700 BCE) and continued into the Ptolemaic Kingdom (305–30 BCE), although most of the extant buildings date from the New Kingdom. The area around Karnak was the ancient Egyptian Ipet-isut ("The Most Selected of Places") and the main place of worship of the 18th Dynastic Theban Triad, with the god Amun as its head. It is part of the monumental city of Thebes, and in 1979 it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List along with the rest of the city. Karnak gets its name from the nearby, and partly surrounded, modern village of El-Karnak, 2.5 kilometres (1.6 miles) north of Luxor.

Thebes (Arabic: طيبة, Ancient Greek: Θῆβαι, Thēbai), known to the ancient Egyptians as Waset (Arabic: وسط), was an ancient Egyptian city located along the Nile about 800 kilometers (500 mi) south of the Mediterranean. Its ruins lie within the modern Egyptian city of Luxor. Thebes was the main city of the fourth Upper Egyptian nome (Sceptre nome) and was the capital of Egypt for long periods during the Middle Kingdom and New Kingdom eras. It was close to Nubia and the Eastern Desert, with its valuable mineral resources and trade routes. It was a religious center and the most venerated city during many periods of ancient Egyptian history. The site of Thebes includes areas on both the eastern bank of the Nile, where the temples of Karnak and Luxor stand and where the city was situated; and the western bank, where a necropolis of large private and royal cemeteries and funerary complexes can be found. In 1979, the ruins of ancient Thebes were classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

wikipedia.org