Must-See Monuments of Ancient Egypt

Egypt is a country where history talks through all the stones and monuments. This is a destination that gives an eternal experience to the travelers who are fascinated by ancient civilization. The country boasts architectural genius and spiritual heritage more than any other place with the towering pyramids to the mystical temples all over the Nile. Are you looking to have a memorable vacation? Check our Egypt tour packages and have a historical experience.

Not only do these ancient wonders bring to the fore the rich culture present in Egypt but they also help give a profound understanding of beliefs, art work and influence of the early rulers of Egypt. We will take you through the most interesting monuments which you must not miss in this blog- all of which are masterpieces of their era, telling the stories of pharaohs, gods and grandeur.

Here are the Must-See Monuments of Ancient Egypt  

1. The Great Pyramid of Giza

It is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Great Pyramid of Giza, which still puzzles historians and architects. This monumental building was constructed as a tomb of Pharaoh Khufu and it demonstrates a mind-blowing accuracy of the construction. It is more than 140 meters high and nowadays it is the most popular sign of ancient Egypt which attracts the attention of people all over the world because of its amazing size and historical value.

2. The Giza Sphinx

The Great Sphinx is sitting on the Giza Plateau with the body of a lion and the head of a pharaoh, who is supposed to be King Khafre. This magnificent statue was carved out of one limestone block and it has become the source of numerous legends and myths. Sphinx is undoubtedly a monument of ancient Egyptian genius and enigma that has managed to withstand centuries of erosion.

3. The Amun Temple in Karnak

The Amun Temple at Karnak is a complex near Luxor that is one of the largest in the world. It was built and developed over 2000 years and is primarily dedicated to the Theban deity Amun. The temple is well-known for its massive columns, sacred lake, and stunning hieroglyphics depicting ancient Egyptian religious life.

4. The Hatshepsut Temple

The Temple of Hatshepsut, which is built in between the limestone cliffs of Deir el-Bahari, is a memorial to one of the few female pharaohs of Egypt. Its beautiful terraces, balance and statues show her rule and sanctity. The temple is an architectural experiment as well as royal propaganda, which is a unique combination that fits into the surrounding landscape.

5. The Luxor temple

The Luxor Temple, unlike the other ones, was used to renew the royalty. It took part in the Opet Festival that took place every year and celebrated the divine right of the pharaoh to reign. It had to be used during the annual Opet Festival that recognized the divine right of the pharaoh to rule. The statues, obelisks and the courtyard are superbly lit up at night and it takes you back to the golden era of ancient Thebes.

6. The Ramesseum

Ramesseum is a mortuary temple constructed by Pharaoh Ramesses II on the western bank of the Nile River opposite to Luxor. Partially it is ruined, yet it still has huge statues and other carvings that memorize about the military success of the king. This beautiful location has a poetic value due to the famous broken statue of Ramesses which Shelley took to create Ozymandias.

7. Medinet Habu’s Temple of Ramesses III

Another mortuary temple was constructed by Ramesses III, called Medinet Habu. Its tall walls, its preserved reliefs and its colorful scenes of battles make it a favorite of lovers of the history. As opposed to other temples, it is filled with bright examples of ancient warfare, royal rituals, and the daily life of the people during the reign of one of the last great pharaohs of Egypt.

8. The Seti I Temple at Abydos

This temple is unique in its L-shape and the well-known Abydos King List, which is a chronological list of pharaohs carved on the wall. Seti I built the temple, which was completed by his son Ramesses II, and it is well-known for its rich artwork, including vivid reliefs that remain in excellent condition.

9. The Edfu Temple of Horus

The Temple of Horus at Edfu is one of the best preserved ancient buildings in Egypt and is situated between Luxor and Aswan. It is devoted to the falcon-headed deity Horus and depicts epic episodes of Horus defeating his uncle Seth. The huge pylons, the inner sanctuaries, and inscriptions provide the glimpse of religious rituals in Ptolemaic Egypt.

Conclusion

Visiting the ancient monuments of Egypt is like reading a history book in a living world-where all the walls talk, and all the statues have something to say. History geek or adventurous tourist, you can find something special here, a combination of mythology, mystery, and architectural genius. To fully experience this magical voyage, visit our tailor-made Egypt holiday packages which will guarantee you a once in a lifetime travelling experience.

Whether you are viewing the great pyramids of Giza or admiring the great temples of Luxor and Aswan, there is more than sightseeing, having the feeling of being close to one of the greatest civilization in the world. Do not miss an opportunity to step on the footprints of pharaohs and to reveal the secrets of ancient Egypt.