Cityscape and landmarks
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Often described as the "world's greatest open-air museum", the cityscape of Luxor, presents a unique blend of ancient monumental ruins and a functional, modern city. The urban landscape is primarily defined by the Nile River and the surrounding desert, with development concentrated along the fertile riverbanks. The ruins of Karnak Temple Complex and the Luxor Temple stand directly within the urban fabric of the modern city on the East Bank. The recently restored, 2.7 km long Avenue of Sphinxes connects these two temples, running through what was previously a residential area. The Nile River splits the East Bank and West Bank by the Nile River. The East Bank is considered the "land of the living" in ancient Egyptian belief and is the site of the main residential areas, hotels, bustling markets, and the city center.
The West Bank, was the "land of the dead" and is less urbanized, dominated by the Theban Necropolis, including the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens, and various mortuary temples rising from the desert cliffs. The city's footprint is compact, bordered closely by lush green agricultural fields along the Nile and the arid, rugged yellow desert landscape and mountains beyond. Hot air balloon is a popular activity in the city of Luxor. Mosques and churches can be found alongside ancient temples, reflecting the city's diverse cultural heritage. Traditional aspects like felucca sailboats on the Nile and street markets in the downtown area add to the atmosphere.
Architecture[edit]
Hatshepsut Temple and modern buildings on the banks of the Nile
Luxor, often called the "world's largest open-air museum," contains one of the highest concentrations of monumental architecture from Ancient Egypt. The city's architectural landscape is defined by its massive stone temples, royal necropolises, and unique sustainable modern villages.
Generally Egyptian Architecture, with massive monumental gateways consisting of two tapering towers flanking an entrance, often decorated with scenes of military victory. Luxor Temple originally had two; one remains, while the other is in Paris. Giant stone figures, such as the 15-meter seated statues of Ramesses II at Luxor Temple, serve as spiritual and political guardians.
East bank[edit]
Karnak Temple[edit]
Main article: Karnak
The Karnak Temple Complex, commonly known as Karnak (/ˈkɑːr.næk/), is one of the largest religious complexes of the ancient world, encompassing a vast array of temples, monumental gateways, chapels, and other structures. Construction began during the reign of Senusret I (1971–1926 BCE) in the Middle Kingdom of Egypt (c. 2000–1700 BCE) and continued into the Ptolemaic Kingdom (305–30 BCE). However, most of the existing structures date from the New Kingdom.
The area surrounding Karnak was known in ancient Egypt as Ipet-Isut, meaning "the chosen holy place," and was the principal center of worship for the Theban Triad during the Eighteenth Dynasty, consisting of the god Amun, the goddess Mut, and the god Khonsu. Karnak is part of the great ancient city of Thebes and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979, along with the rest of the city's monuments. Karnak takes its name from the nearby modern village of Karnak, located about 2.5 kilometers north of the city of Luxor.
Luxor Temple[edit]
Main article: Luxor Temple
View of the Luxor Temple
The Luxor Temple is a large and complex ancient Egyptian temple located on the east bank. The temple was founded around 1400 BC. It was dedicated to the worship of Amun-Ra, his wife Mut, and their son Khonsu; these deities are also known as the Theban Triad. The temple was constructed during the reigns of the eighteenth and nineteenth Dynasties. The most significant additions to the temple complex are those built by Amenhotep III (1397–1360 BC) and Ramesses II (1290–1223 BC), who added the open courtyard, the pylon, and two obelisks. Thutmose III (1490–1436 BC) also erected chapels for pilgrims to the Theban Triad, and Tutankhamun (1348–1337 BC) completed the reliefs on its walls. The triple shrine, originally built during the reigns of Queen Hatshepsut and King Thutmose III (of the Eighteenth Dynasty), was destroyed and later rebuilt during the reign of King Ramses II. The temple was also called Ipet-Resit (meaning the Southern Sanctuary or the Place of Amun-Ra). It is one of the best-preserved and most beautifully constructed Egyptian temples, and it exemplifies the typical layout of an Egyptian temple most clearly.
West bank[edit]
Valley of the Kings[edit]
Main article: Valley of the Kings
The Valley of the Kings near Luxor, Egypt, is a famous royal necropolis where New Kingdom pharaohs (18th-20th Dynasties) and nobles were buried in hidden rock-cut tombs from around 1550-1070 BC, featuring intricate art and Egyptian hieroglyphs depicting afterlife beliefs, with key tombs like Tutankhamun's (KV62) discovered there, and remains an active archaeological site offering insights into ancient Egyptian funerary practices and beliefs.
Valley of the Queens[edit]
Main article: Valley of the Queens
Valley of the queens is a significant ancient Egyptian necropolis located on the west bank of the Nile River. Known in ancient times as Ta-Set-Neferu, meaning "The Place of Beauty," it served as the burial site for the wives and children of New Kingdom pharaohs, primarily from the 19th and 20th dynasties. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is renowned for its beautifully decorated rock-cut tombs and vibrant wall paintings.
Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III[edit]
Main article: Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III
It is the central monument of the Medinet Habucomplex, located on the west bank. It is renowned for its exceptional preservation, including vivid, original colors in its reliefs that depict the pharaoh's military victories, particularly against the Sea Peoples.
The complex is surrounded by a massive, fortified mudbrick enclosure wall with a unique Syrian-style gatehouse called a migdol. This design reflects the political instability and military realities of the late New Kingdom period when it was built (c. 1186–1155 BCE). The temple walls are covered with detailed inscriptions and reliefs that serve as an important historical archive, documenting the life, reign, and major battles of Ramesses III, including the famous naval battle against the Sea Peoples. Many of the inner sections of the temple still retain their vibrant original paints, which is a rare sight among ancient Egyptian temples in Thebes. Beyond its function as a mortuary temple for the pharaoh's cult, the complex was a significant religious center dedicated to the god Amun and housed administrative buildings, a royal palace, workshops, and accommodation for the priests.
Ramesseum[edit]
Main article: Ramesseum
The Ramesseum is the massive mortuary (funerary) temple of Pharaoh Ramesses II (the Great), located on the Nile's West Bank, famous for its grand scale, surviving reliefs such as the Battle of Kadesh, hypostyle hall, and the ruins of a colossal statue of the pharaoh that inspired Shelley's "Ozymandias" poem. Built as a "Million-Year Temple" for his cult and Amun-Ra, it showcases monumental architecture, though much is ruined, offering insights into New Kingdom power, religion, and art.
Deir el-Medina[edit]
Main article: Deir el-Medina
Aerial view of Deir el-Medina
Deir el-Medina, the "Village of the Artisans" or "Valley of the Workers," is a remarkably preserved ancient Egyptian settlement on the West Bank, home to the skilled craftsmen who built the royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens during the New Kingdom (c. 1550-1080 BCE). This secluded community offers a unique glimpse into daily life, with ruins of houses, tombs such as Sennedjem's, and a chapel, providing intimate access to ancient Egyptian artistry and social life, unlike the grander, busier royal tombs. Isolated for secrecy, the village housed the artisans, known as "Servants in the Place of Truth," and their families for nearly over 400 years.
Theban Necropolis[edit]
Main article: Theban Necropolis
The Theban Necropolis contains over 400 cataloged tombs, designated with the prefix TT for Theban Tomb, which are generally referred to as the Tombs of the Nobles. These non-royal tombs, located on the west bank, offer a vibrant glimpse into the daily lives and administrative roles of high-ranking officials, scribes, and priests of ancient Egypt. The tombs are clustered in several areas, including Sheikh Abd el-Qurna, Deir el-Medina, El-Khokha, Qurnet Murai, and Dra Abu el-Naga. While many tombs exist, a select number are accessible to the public on a rotating basis to aid in their conservation. Some of the most significant and frequently.
Temple of Hatshepsut[edit]
Main article: Temple of Hatshepsut
View of the temple
The Temple of Hatshepsut, or Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, is a temple from the Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt, and the best-preserved of the temples built some 3,500 years ago at Deir el-Bahari. It was built by Queen Hatshepsut on the west bank of the Nile opposite Thebes. The Temple of Hatshepsut is distinguished by its unique architectural design, unlike the Egyptian temples built on the east bank. The temple consists of three successive levels on open terraces. Constructed of limestone, the temple features limestone statues of the god Osiris and Queen Hatshepsut, arranged in a beautiful arrangement in front of the columns of the second level. Originally, these statues were painted, but only traces of the colors remain today. Some of the statues are in excellent condition, demonstrating the elegance and beauty of the temple's design. The Temple of Hatshepsut is also notable for the reliefs on its walls depicting maritime expeditions sent by Queen Hatshepsut to the Land of Punt to trade for frankincense and myrrh. The pharaohs offered incense to their gods to gain their favor, and many Egyptian pharaohs recorded this on stelas in their temples, depicting them offering sacrifices and incense to various deities. In addition to incense and myrrh, Hatshepsut's expeditions also brought back rare woods, trees, and animals not found in Egypt, as well as leopard skins worn by a specific class of the Egyptian priesthood. The Wadi Deir el-Bahari was dedicated to the worship of Hathor and Amun-Ra, and also housed the cults of Horus and Anubis. This dates back to the eleventh Dynasty, when Pharaoh Mentuhotep II was the first to utilize the area to build tombs and a temple for himself, his wives, and his close courtiers. This occurred during the Middle Kingdom. The Temple of Hatshepsut, however, was built during the New Kingdom, in the eighteenth Dynasty, and was commissioned by Queen Hatshepsut, daughter of King Thutmose I.
Malkata[edit]
Main article: Malkata
The palace of Amenhotep III, known as Malkata Palace (also spelled Malqata), is located on the West Bank, south of the Medinet Habu complex. Today, the site consists mostly of mudbrick foundations, but it offers a unique insight into ancient Egyptian royal life. Malkata was built during the eighteenth Dynasty and served as the main residence and administrative center for Pharaoh Amenhotep III and his Great Royal Wife Queen Tiye during the latter part of his reign, a period of immense prosperity. In antiquity, the palace was known as the "House of Rejoicing" (or "Palace of Joy") and was a central venue for royal and religious festivals, including the important Sed Festival, which celebrated the pharaoh's continued vitality and divine authority.
Colossi of Memnon[edit]
Main article: Colossi of Memnon
The Colossi of Memnon are two massive stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III located on the west bank. Standing approximately 18 meters (60 feet) tall and weighing over 720 tons each, they have guarded the entrance to Amenhotep III's mortuary temple for over 3,400 years. The statues depict Amenhotep III seated on his throne. Small figures carved at his feet represent his wife, Tiye, and his mother, Mutemwiya. In antiquity, the northern statue was famous for "singing" or "whistling" at dawn. This was likely caused by an earthquake in 27 BCE that cracked the stone; as morning dew evaporated and heat expanded the rock, it emitted a resonant sound. The name is Greek, not Egyptian. When Greeks visited the site, they associated the "singing" statue with the mythical hero Memnon, son of Eos (the goddess of dawn), who was supposedly greeting his mother. Carved from single blocks of quartzite sandstone, the stone was transported over 600 kilometers from quarries near modern-day Cairo to Luxor. As of late 2025, archaeologists have reassembled and revealed additional colossal statues of Amenhotep III at the site as part of a long-term conservation project to restore his once-massive mortuary temple.
El-Assasif[edit]
Main article: El-Assasif
El-Assasif Cemetery (or Necropolis), is less-crowded burial ground on the West Bank near Hatshepsut's Temple, featuring tombs of nobles, high priests, and officials from the eighteenth, Twenty-fifth, and Twenty-sixth Dynasty of Egypt. Known for its vibrant wall paintings depicting daily life, agriculture, and warfare, it offers unique insights into ancient Theban society, with major tombs like those of Kheruef, Ankhhor, and Pabasa being highlights, though many areas are still under active archaeological excavation.
A panoramic view of the interior of the Luxor temple, just inside the entrance. The Abu Haggag Mosque, built over the ruins, is on the left.
A panoramic view of the great hypostyle hall in the Precinct of Amun Re
