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Friday, April 28, 2023

Luxor: Uncommon Medinet Habu Temple

With the many temples and tombs around Luxor, we were being particularly selective, so 1) we don't get dizzy 2) get the most return for our investment on entrance tickets. Medinet Habu.Temple was selected for its particularly good state of preservation.

Medinet Habu Temple is really the Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III, built during 12th century BCE.The temple complex still has the complete wall around it, many bas-relief scenes of battles, including one naval battle, and hunting, and columns with original paint work.

Attached to the temple is the remains of the Ramesses III's part-time royal palace, though hardly anything is over a meter tall. After all the tombs and mortuary temples, I was beginning to think that the pharaohs only cared about death not living. I hadn't seen any evidence or reference to palaces until this site, even though it really pales in comparison to the temple.

Medinet Habu is different from other temples. The main entry gate is a 4-side tower and looks like a fortified/castle tower. First below is the temple entrance viewed from the outside - gate at right. Second, the entrance tower viewed from inside the temple.
Medinet Habu Temple (Madinat) - Luxor, Egypt

Medinet Habu Temple (Madinat) - Luxor, Egypt

The first courtyard.
Medinet Habu Temple (Madinat) - Luxor, Egypt

Medinet Habu Temple (Madinat) - Luxor, Egypt

Medinet Habu Temple (Madinat) - Luxor, Egypt

Some reliefs.
Medinet Habu Temple (Madinat) - Luxor, Egypt

Medinet Habu Temple (Madinat) - Luxor, Egypt

Medinet Habu Temple (Madinat) - Luxor, Egypt

Medinet Habu Temple (Madinat) - Luxor, Egypt

Medinet Habu Temple (Madinat) - Luxor, Egypt

Columns.
Medinet Habu Temple (Madinat) - Luxor, Egypt

Medinet Habu Temple (Madinat) - Luxor, Egypt

Medinet Habu Temple (Madinat) - Luxor, Egypt

Medinet Habu Temple (Madinat) - Luxor, Egypt

Medinet Habu Temple (Madinat) - Luxor, Egypt

Our Tuk-Tuk Driver is perhaps a Rolling Stones Fan?
Our Tuk-Tuk Driver is perhaps a Rolling Stones Fan - Medinet Habu Temple (Madinat) - Luxor, Egypt


Egypt: Around Luxor

From Aswan, we took a train to Luxor. It was Orthodox Easter week, plus the ongoing Ramadan, and the temperature was 90+F, moving towards 102F. I began to learn to ignore all the negative aspects of traveling in Egypt, and really focus on being awed by all the temples and tombs.

On the Train from Aswan to Luxor.
On the Train from Aswan to Luxor, Egypt

On the Train from Aswan to Luxor, Egypt

On the Train from Aswan to Luxor, Egypt

On the Train from Aswan to Luxor, Egypt

On the Train from Aswan to Luxor, Egypt

On the Train from Aswan to Luxor, Egypt

On the Train from Aswan to Luxor, Egypt

On the Train from Aswan to Luxor, Egypt

Arriving at Luxor Station.
Luxor Station - On the Train from Aswan to Luxor, Egypt

Luxor Station - On the Train from Aswan to Luxor, Egypt

There were many tour groups in Luxor. Below is a Horse Carriage Convoy. ;-)
Tourist Carriage Convoy - Luxor, Egypt

Locals enjoying the evening after breaking their fasts.
Iftir - Luxor, Egypt

Luxor Temple at night as seen from our hotel terrace. And the moonrise.
Luxor Temple - Luxor, Egypt

Luxor, Egypt

Some shots near the Coptic Christian Quarter. A few were taken on the Saturday before Orthodox Palm Sunday.
Video - Railroad Crossing - Luxor, Egypt

Luxor, Egypt

Luxor, Egypt

Donkey Cart - Luxor, Egypt

Church of the Archangel Michael - Luxor, Egypt

Coptic Holy Saturday Walk - Luxor, Egypt

Coptic Holy Saturday Walk - Luxor, Egypt

The view from our hotel room window.
Luxor, Egypt

Sunset and moonrise as seen from our hotel terrace.
View from our Hotel of Luxor Temple and the Nile Beyond - Luxor, Egypt

Sunset - Luxor, Egypt

Luxor, Egypt

Luxor, Egypt

The streets of Luxor.
Luxor, Egypt

Luxor Temple - Luxor, Egypt

Early morning walk along the Nile Promenade.
Hot Air Balloon Mass Ascent - Early Morning Walk - Luxor, Egypt

Mosque - Early Morning Walk - Luxor, Egypt McDonald's - Early Morning Walk - Luxor, Egypt

Giant Letter - Early Morning Walk - Luxor, Egypt

Early Morning Walk - Luxor, Egypt

Winter Palace Hotel - Early Morning Walk - Luxor, Egypt

Cruise Ships - Early Morning Walk - Luxor, Egypt

Luxor Temple - Early Morning Walk - Luxor, Egypt

Luxor Temple - Early Morning Walk - Luxor, Egypt

Souk - Early Morning Walk - Luxor, Egypt

Our visit to the Luxor Museum.
Luxor Museum - Luxor, Egypt

Luxor Museum - Luxor, Egypt

Luxor Museum - Luxor, Egypt

Luxor Museum - Luxor, Egypt

Luxor Museum - Luxor, Egypt


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