LUXOR temple

The Avenue of Sphinxes The Avenue of Sphinxes and Luxor Temple was buried beneath 30 feet (9 m) of sand for over two thousand years. The Luxor Temple entrance pylon was uncovered in the 1880s, revealing pylons 78 feet (24 m) high and 214 feet (65 m) wide, carved with scenes of Ramses II at the Battle of Kadesh. Colossal statues of Ramses II flank the gateway, once paired with two 80‑foot (25‑m) obelisks—one still in its original place at Luxor Temple, the other now in Paris. The Avenue of Sphinxes is 1.6 miles (2.7 kilometers) south of Karnak Temple, it's a grand processional route lined with more than 1,000 Sphinx statues that has recently been excavated between 1949 and 2000 they now reconnect Luxor and Karnak temples.

The Avenue of Sphinxes was the grand processional road linking Karnak Temple, dedicated to Amun‑Ra, with Luxor Temple, the center of kingship and renewal in ancient Thebes. Stretching 2.7 kilometers (1.6 miles) and 76 meters wide (250 feet) it originally featured more than 1,350 sphinx statues—either human‑headed forms symbolizing royal protection or ram‑headed forms honoring Amun‑Ra’s strength and fertility.

The avenue was more than a roadway, it served as a sacred corridor for festivals, rituals, and royal ceremonies, guiding participants from the earthly realm toward the divine. Its construction spanned centuries and several dynasties. Amenhotep III began the project in the 14th century BCE with rows of human‑headed sphinxes. Ramses II and Ramses III expanded and embellished the route, and Nectanebo I completed it in the 4th century BCE, adding many ram‑headed sphinxes to reinforce Amun‑Ra’s presence.

The missing Obelisk from Luxor Temple Sadly Muhammad Ali Pasha, the Viceroy of Egypt gifted the right‑hand Luxor obelisk to France in 1830 to cement a political alliance, secure French military and technical support for his modernization program, and honor Jean‑François Champollion, whose decipherment of hieroglyphs had opened Egypt’s ancient past to Europe. The obelisk was raised in the Place de la Concorde in 1836 a site fraught with revolutionary memory as the principal stage of the guillotine. The obelisk offered a politically neutral yet prestigious symbol capable of transforming the square’s emotional charge. In 1839, a new pedestal was added, engraved with diagrams illustrating the extraordinary engineering required for its transport and erection. In 1998, France crowned the obelisk with a gold‑leaf pyramidion, funded by Yves Saint Laurent, replacing the ancient cap—likely bronze, gold, or electrum—stolen around 500 BCE. Yes, the obelisk’s rightful home is Luxor Temple, but its presence in Paris—framed by the sweep of the Champs‑Élysées and the geometry of the Place de la Concorde—remains undeniably magnificent.

The entrance pylon is flanked by two seated granite colossi of Ramesses II (The Great) both colossus is 23 feet (7 meters) in height, and topped with the Double Crown of Upper and Lower Egypt. The pink granite obelisk, of Ramesses II (The Great), is 82 feet high (25 meters) and is still standing from the 13th century BCE, it is one of a pair, the other obelisk was shipped to Paris and raised in the Place de la Concorde in 1836.

A etching from his original painting, dated: 1800, artist: Francois Charles Cecile (1766-1840), shows the entrance pylon of Luxor Temple flanked by two 80‑foot (25‑m) pink granite obelisks, commissioned by Ramesses II, 13th century BCE

Public Domain

The Obelisk from Luxor at the Place de la Concorde with the Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triomphe in the background, relocated in 1836, Photo: Gustave Le Gray (1820-1884), dated: 1858, Silver print (Tirage albuminé)

Public Domain

The Place de la Concorde in Paris 2025, with the Luxor Obelisk crowned with a new gold‑leaf pyramidion in the foreground alongside an ornate rostral column street lamp, with the Eiffel Tower rising in the background.

The Colossal statues of Ramesses II 6 colossal statues of Ramesses II have guarded the entrance pylon of Luxor Temple for over 3,300 years. The Pylon Towers: The massive mud-brick and stone gateway towers behind the statues loom 78 feet (24 meters) high and stretch 214 feet (65 meters) wide. The 2 seated statues are 46 feet (14 meters) tall, 4 standing statues 36 feet (11 meters) tall. Two 80 foot (25m) obelisks once accompanied them but today only one remains the other stands in Paris. An avenue of a thousand recently excavated human headed sphinxes of 1.6 miles (2.7 kilometers) reconnect the temples of Karnak and Luxor. This was used once a year in a festival during which the image of Amun travelled from Karnak to visit his southern dominion. It was at Luxor temple that Amun was transformed into Min the god of fertility.

Colossal seated statue of Ramesses II at the first pylon gateway entrance of Luxor Temple, he is depicted wearing the traditional pschent (Double Crown of Upper and Lower Egypt), while the hieroglyphics carved on his shoulders and throne declare his titles and divine right to rule.

The second Colossal seated statue of Ramesses II at the first pylon gateway entrance of Luxor Temple, he is depicted wearing the royal nemes headcloth topped with the Double Crown of Upper and Lower Egypt

One of the four standing colossal granite statues of Ramesses II to the left guarding the entrance of Luxor Temple while projecting royal authority and signify the divine legitimacy of the pharaoh during Opet festivals.

One of the four standing colossal granite statues of Ramesses II to the far left guarding the entrance of Luxor Temple, topped with the Double Crown of Upper and Lower Egypt, the pylon walls are covered in reliefs depicting Ramesses II's military campaigns and offerings to the gods.

One of the four standing colossal granite statues of Ramesses II to the right guarding the entrance of Luxor Temple, topped with the Double Crown of Upper and Lower Egypt, the pylon walls are carved in sunken relief depicting Ramesses at the battle of Kadesh.

One of the four standing colossal granite statues of Ramesses II to the far right standing guard at the entrance of the first pylon of Luxor Temple, the sculpture depicts Ramesses wearing the high Hedjet (the white crown of Upper Egypt)

The Courtyard of Ramses II and The Colonnade of Amenophis III After you enter through the first pylon gateway you enter Ramesses II’s Peristyle Courtyard of papyrus bud columns and the Great Colonnade Hall that stretches nearly 61 meters (200 feet), featuring two colossal seated statues that flank the entrance stand roughly 23 feet (7 meters) tall, with 14 massive columns (arranged in seven pairs) with open-flower papyrus capitals that rise to 52 feet (16 meters) and covered in intricate reliefs. They were completed by eleven pharaohs named Ramesses, starting in the 13th century BCE, and dedicated to the Theban Triad (Amun the king of gods, his wife Mut the great mother goddess, and their son Khonsu the moon god)

One of two seated colossal statues of Ramesses II guarding the entrance of the Luxor Temple colonnade, the massive black granite figure depicts Ramesses II wearing the double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt, with the traditional false beard broken off at the base

The royal carved granite sculpture of Queen Nefertari standing at the base of the colossal Ramesses II, wearing a wig and headdress with Cow Horns symbolizing fertility, the solar disk encircled by a uraeus cobra symbolize rebirth, divine authority and the sun god Ra.

On the right side of the entrance is another colossal seated statue of Ramesses II renowned for its towering size and historical significance, located at the second pylon guarding the entrance of the Great Colonnade of Amenhotep III

The Great Court of Ramesses II at Luxor Temple opens beyond the first pylon into a vast peristyle courtyard lined with a double row of papyrus‑bud columns and flanked by Osirid statues of the king. At the entrance, a colossal Ramesses II—wearing the Double Crown of Upper and Lower Egypt—asserts his role as unifier and divine ruler. Reliefs along the courtyard walls show the pharaoh presenting offerings to Amun and other gods, embedding the space in the ritual cycle of royal renewal. Known as ipet resyt, “the southern sanctuary,” Luxor Temple—built largely around 1400 BCE—served as a ceremonial center for the rejuvenation and coronation of Egyptian kings, especially during the Opet Festival linking Karnak and Luxor.

1.) After you enter through the pylon gateway you enter Ramesses II’s Peristyle Courtyard of papyrus bud columns and colossal statuary,

2.) The great Court of Rameses II is 188 feet (57 m) long and 168 feet (51 m) wide. Seventy four papyrus columns, with bud capitals surrounding it,

3.) In the Northwest corner of the court there is a shrine to Thutmose III, while in the southern part of the court you are surrounded by standing granite colossal statuary of Ramses II, Luxor Temple

A broken statue of a young King Tutankhamun (1342 BCE– 1323 BCE) and his consort Ankesenamun, carved sand stone, Eighteenth Dynasty, Luxor Temple

Ramesses II, also known as Ramesses the Great, (1303 BCE–1213 BCE) featured in the temple court, carved limestone, 19th Dynasty, Luxor Temple

Statues in a seated pose, of King Tutankhamun (1342 BCE– 1323 BCE) and his wife Queen Ankhesenamun, carved sand stone, Eighteenth Dynasty, Luxor Temple

1.) The Great Court of Ramses II within Luxor Temple, the standing colossi statues are of Pharaoh Ramses II, the columns are massive papyrus-style pillars

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The entrance of the Great Colonnade of Amenhotep III at Luxor temple, flanked by two seated granite colossi of Ramesses II, both 23 feet (7 meters) in height, and topped with the Double Crown of Upper and Lower Egypt

I next to the Sitting Ramesses II Colossus, carved granite inside Luxor Temple, sits at 23 feet (7 meters) high

The other side of the entrance of the Great Colonnade of Amenhotep III at Luxor Temple, measures 148 feet long, has seven pairs of 52 foot (16m) high open-flower papyrus columns, which still support their huge architrave blocks

1.) The Court of Amonhotep III measures 148 feet long (45 meters) by 184 feet wide (56 meters), with double rows of papyrus columns on three sides,

2.) The Court of Amonhotep III leads into the Hypostyle Hall, which has 32 papyrus columns, arranged in four rows of eight columns,

3.) At the rear of the Hypostyle Hall are four small rooms and an antechamber leading to the birth room, the chapel of Alexander the Great and the sanctuary

1.) Aisles of towering papyrus columns at the Court of Amenhotep III, 1392 BCE,

2.) The large sandstone columns of Luxor Temple are part of the Great Colonnade Hall or the Sun Court of Amenhotep III, featuring characteristic papyrus-shaped capitals.

3.) The aisles of towering papyrus columns were built by pharaohs Amenhotep III and Ramses II, a minaret is visible, highlighting the temple's enduring history

1.) Relief carving of pharaoh Amenhotep III receiving the Ankh the "breath of life" from Horus the falcon-headed god of the sky, Luxor Temple

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1.) Relief carving of Alexander the Great, Crowned and Blessed by Amun-Ra at the Temple of Luxor

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1.) Relief from the shrine of Mut, part of the triple barque shrines of Tuthmosis III, is part of the dedication to the god Amun-Re, Luxor Temple

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Headless Ramesses II, 1230 BCE

Headless Statue of Isis in the shrine to Serapis, created by Emperor Hadrian (76-138 AD)

Headless Statue of Pharaoh Merenptah, (1213-1204 BCE) son of Ramesses II

Historical photos and Artwork of Luxor Temple Early photographs and artwork of Luxor Temple reveal how dramatically the site changed before modern excavation. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the entrance pylons, obelisks, colossal statues, and even village houses stood half‑buried under deep sand and debris. These images capture the temple’s monumental columns and courts when they were still emerging from the desert, offering a direct visual record unlike written accounts. Each photograph and artwork freezes a moment of discovery, becoming a powerful, enduring symbol that confirms the reality of Egypt’s past rather than leaving it to imagination.

Partially buried Luxor Temple entrance with buried colossal statues and the minaret of the Abou el-Haggag Mosque, Photographer: Francis Frith, Dated: 1857, Source: NYC Public Library, 🅮Public Domain

A colossal statue at the entrance to the Temple of Luxor, Tinted lithograph, Artist: David Roberts (1796–1864), Dated: 1838, 🅮Public Domain

Camels and a local handler with papyrus-bud columns in the Sun Court, Luxor temple, photographer: Antonio Beato, Dated: 1880, Source: NYC Public Library, 🅮Public Domain

Luxor temple, grande colonnade du palais, buried in 30 feet of sand, Photographer: Maxime Du Camp, Date: 1849, Medium: Salted paper print, 🅮Public Domain

Pylon entrance of the Luxor Temple, buried in 30 feet of sand, photograph by Félix Bonfils, date: 1870, Source: NYC Public Library, 🅮Public Domain

Post card, Entrance Pylon of Ramesses II, Luxor Temple, 1895, Source: NYC Public Library, 🅮Public Domain

Grand Entrance to the Temple at Luxor, Dated: 1848, Tinted lithograph, Artist; David Roberts RA (1796-1864), 🅮Public Domain

1.) Entrance to the Great Temple Luxor, Dated: 1857, Photographer: Francis Frith, Source: NYC Public Library, 🅮Public Domain

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Luxor colonnade, 1890, Photographer: Zangaki (1860s-1920s) Source: NYC Public Library, 🅮Public Domain

Statue of Pharaoh Ramesses II, carved sandstone, Photo: Antonio Beato, Dated: 1880, Luxor, Source: NYC Public Library, 🅮Public Domain

Thèbes. Louqsor. Groupe de colonnes dans le palais, Dated: 1850, Photographer: Maxime Du Camp (French, 1822 - 1894), Luxor, Source: NYC Public Library, 🅮Public Domain

An engraving of the surviving red granite Luxor obelisk still standing at the entrance, and its twin removed to Paris, published: 1884, as Picturesque Palestine, Sinai and Egypt, Source: NYC Public Library, 🅮Public Domain

Alexander the Great offering a jar of milk (a symbol of life) to deity Min/Amun-Ra shown in his characteristic ithyphallic form with an erect phallus symbolizing fertility, Dated: 1924, Photographer: Rudolf Lehnert, Barque shrine, Luxor, Source: NYC Public Library, 🅮Public Domain

Engraving depicts the Entrance to Luxor Temple, by French artist; Dominique Vivant Denon, published: 1802, Voyage dans la basse et la haute Egypte, Source: NYC Public Library, 🅮Public Domain

Luxor colorized photo post card, Photographer: Francis Frith, Group of 4 Egyptian views, Dated: 1860, albumen print, Source: NYC Public Library, 🅮Public Domain

View at Luxor columns partially buried in sand before full excavation, Dated: 1857, albumen print, photographer: Francis Frith, Source: NYC Public Library, 🅮Public Domain

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