Ancient Egyptian Temples

I personally find them more interesting than the pyramids because they are so beautifully constructed and decorated.

From the lotus flower columns that form the massive colonnades, to the carved reliefs on the walls of mythical offerings and battle scenes, to the shrines and chapels dedicated to the gods – they really are quite a magical tour of the past. And we have so many, most of which still standing and in great shape.

Until now I'm not sure which is my favorite, I keep changing my mind. In fact, I love visiting different temples all over the world - there's just something about these ancient places of worship...

Do you have a favorite Ancient Temple, in or out of Egypt, that you think is really special? Share it with us here!

There are several very famous Egyptian Temples that I think you'll enjoy learning about and visiting when you get the chance. You might not be able to cover all of them in one trip though, so choose the ones that inspire you the most rather than what tour operators recommend.

So, on this page you'll find them listed below, and I'll be adding more pages until I feel like I've covered the most relevant. Let's begin...

Abu Simbel Temple - It's the first one that I have to mention as it's probably one of the most photographed and definitely most majestic of them. The word I would use to describe it is "Grand". It was built by King Ramesses II. It has four colossal statues of the king flanking the entrance and has a chamber inside with statues of the king and deities that the sun shines on only twice a year during the solstices.

Close by is also another temple King Ramesses II built, made in honor of his favorite wife, queen Nefertari.

Abydos - Is next up. It is actually a city that has not only beautiful temples, but also tombs and pyramids - it is so rich in ancient Egyptian history! There are two temples worth checking there: the very unique Temple of Seti I with its enigmatic Osirion, and the mostly ruined yet beautifully colorful Temple of Ramesses II.

The Temple of Karnak - Another gem, second only to the Great Pyramids in fame. This is the largest temple in the world, built by over 30 different pharaohs. This is a must see!

Karnak's sister temple is close-by and was where the annual Opet Festival procession began. The simple and charming Temple of Luxor is best seen in the afternoon's dancing shadows...

Also in Luxor is the Mortuary Hatshepsut Temple , situated at the foot of the cliffs and aligned with the queen's tomb. A testament to her dedication and ambition.

The Ptolemaic period gave us some beautiful monuments and temples as well, with their own charm and history. One of which is the most well-preserved ancient Egyptian temple - Edfu. Another beautiful ancient Egyptian temple is the uniquely double-worshiping temple of Kom Ombo. It is dedicated to two gods, Horus the Elder and Sobek the crocodile. You'll get to see mummified crocodiles there.

Is there an ancient temple that takes your breath away? Tell us about it!

What's your favorite temple in the world? What's so special about it? Did you have a magical or spiritual moment while there? Share your story with us!

Your Favorite Ancient Temple

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