Luxor Temple

The Luxor Temple was orignally built by Amenhotep III and Ramses II to honor the gods Amun, Mut and Chons (the Theban Triad). It was added to, however, over the centuries by Tutankhamun, Alexander the Great and many others. The Arabs also built a mosque on top of the burried temple of Luxor, when the excavation began and all the debris was removed to reveal the monumental temple, the authorities refused to destroy the mosque which now hangs on top of the temple as if in mid-air ! Excavation has been going on since 1885, and the Luxor Temple, which was completely burried is now fully revealed, incuding a part of the Avenue of Sphinxes which is 3 km long and at one time connected the Luxor and Karnak Temples. Most probably you will be taken to the Luxor temple by a tour guide of your desired language (English, German, Greek, French, Spanish etc.) He will guide you in detail through the Entrance Pylon, the Peristyle Court, the Colonnade, the Courtyard, the Entrance Hall, the Antechanber, the Sanctuary and finally the Birth Room. Reading a little before-hand, about the Luxor Temple, and Egyptology in general, will help termendously in grasping everything the tour guide mentions. The temple is open daily from 6am to 10pm in summer, and from 7am to 9pm in winter. Admission costs 15LE (half for students and 10LE for camera). Remember to bring a lot of water. If you’re going in the summer try to go early or by night to avoid the heat, and wear something white on your head. Dehidration is a common threat in Luxor

Luxor Museum

Founded in 1975, the great Luxor Museum of Ancient Art is open daily from 9am to 1pm and 4 pm to 9pm. Admission costs 15LE (half for students and 10LE for a camera). The museum holds old and recent archeological finds from Luxor and Thebes. Its tresures include the gilt head of the cow-goddess Mehit-Weret, several funerary gifts found in the tomb of Tutankhamun, and an alabaster sculpture, discovered in 1967, of the crocodile god Sobek. Considered a must-see while in Luxor.