Temple of Karnak

Known in ancient times as ‘Ipet-Isut’ (the Most Perfect of Places), Karnak is considered the most awe-inspiring of all of Egypt’s incredible monuments. Home to one of the world’s largest religious complexes, over a period of 1500 years it was rebuilt, restored, redecorated and enlarged; many powerful pharaohs spent large amounts of money on leaving their mark on this most sacred of sites. Best visited in the soft light of the early morning or late afternoon, there is also a nightly sound and light show here that gives a different perspective to these incredible structures.

Karnak is two-square-kilometres of sanctuaries, kiosks, pylons and obelisks, and is dedicated to the Theban Triad of Amun-Ra, his wife Mut and their son Khonsu; it was the most important place of worship in Egypt during the New Kingdom era. The complex is dominated by the great temple of Amun-Ra, which is famous for its spectacular Hypostyle Hall with its ‘forest’ of huge, elegant columns. Beside the Precinct of Amun-Ra are precincts dedicated to Mut and Khonsu, which are currently not open to the public.

A three kilometre avenue of human-headed sphinxes once ran between Karnak and Luxor Temple – some of this avenue can still be seen today, while much of it is still being excavated with the hope that one day soon it’ll be complete once again.