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Introduction
This gallery covers our land excursions to Luxor and Philae Temples.
Luxor Temple
Built largely by Amenhotep III and Ramesses II, the Temple of Luxor was used for many festivals celebrated in Thebes (what is now known as Luxor and Karnak). The temple was the centre of the most important one, the festival of Opet, as it was considered a suitable setting for the rituals.
The festival reconciled the human aspect of the ruler with the divine office and apparently lasted eleven days during the 18th Dynasty, but had extended to twenty-seven days by 20th Dynasty (reign of Ramesses III).
Philae Temple
Located not far from Aswan, the temples were originally located on an island, which became partially submerged after the construction of the Aswan lower dam by the British in 1902. With the building of the Aswan dam in the 1960's a decision was taken during the 1970's to move the temples to a nearby island after they became flooded. The site was opened in 1980 and to the untrained eye, looks like the temples have always been at that site!
The Temple of Isis has two large pylons, one with scenes of the kings attacking the enemy, the second with offerings to Isis, Horus and Hathor.
There are many fine decorations to be seen, including musical instruments at the Temple of Hathor and an imposing Kiosk overlooking the lake.
On the day we visited Philae, the rest of our tour group had travelled to Abu Simbel, leaving our tour guide, Nader, to show Lynn and I around the complex. This made it all the more interesting and informative when we revisited the island in the evening for the excellent sound and light show. The stunning backdrop, warm evening breeze and partial moon, made the setting all the more rewarding.
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