16 Most Famous Monuments Of Ancient Egypt

Abu_Simbel_temple
Abu_Simbel_temple

Egypt is known for its temples, pyramids, Nile River, and camels. Over 42000 art pieces from Egypt are found in American and European museums. Here are some of the famous monuments of ancient Egypt,

Famous Monuments Of Ancient Egypt

1. The Temple of Horus at Edfu

Constructed in 237 BC, the Temple of Edfu is an ancient Egyptian construction present on the West Bank of the Nile River in Egypt. After spending 180 years completing of this magnificent building in devotion to the God Horus, this building became the last temple to be built in the history of Ancient Egypt. Being a symbol of the heritage, brilliance, glory, and power of Egypt this temple was built on the land that had the greatest war in the history of Egypt.

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The Temple of Horus at Edfu
The Temple of Horus at Edfu

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2. Luxor temple

Around 3500 years ago in Egypt on the shores of the River Nile, an auspicious oldest temple was constructed named Luxor Temple. Constructed in 1400 BCE, Pharaoh Amenhotep III designed this beautiful temple along with many other builders and was finally completed by Rameses II. Built to celebrate the victory of the king numerous crowning ceremonies of kings were organized at the temple Luxor including the great king Alexander.

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Luxor temple
Luxor temple

Image Source: Wikimedia

3. The Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut

The Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut of Egypt also renowned by the name of Djeser-Djeseru was constructed by Senenmut in 1470 B.C. The idea of the construction of this wonderful and famous temple of Egypt came into the mind of Queen Hatshepsut. All the architecture, walls, and designs of this temple had some special idea or meaning or depiction of some events or some persons.

According to Queen Hatshepsut, the only way to become immortal is to preserve their history and to create an impact on the minds of future generations is engraving them into the walls of temples, graves, mosques, and other massive buildings. After the hard work of 15 years, the time finally came into existence with three flours and is still a major visitor place in Egypt.

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The Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut
The Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut

Image Source: Wikipedia

4. Karnak Temple

The largest and most visited temple of Ancient Egypt is the Karnak Temple. Pharaoh Senusret I found this temple in 3000 BC, and it is believed that the construction of this building took over 3000 years. Located in Southern Egypt in the city of Thebes, Karnak Temple is the second most visited place in Egypt.

One of the oldest buildings in the world spread over 200 acres, the temple includes the most religious room ever built. Lots of small temples, sacred lakes, and chapels are built inside Karnak Temple which attracts people the most. Being so beautiful and ancient this temple is featured in certain movies, novels, and games. It is one of the most popular and famous monuments of Ancient Egypt.

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Karnak Temple

Image Source: Wikimedia

5. Abu Simbel

Constructed in honor of Egyptian gods like Ptah, Amon, and Abu Simbel Temple was constructed by Egyptian King Ramses II and was identified in 1817 by Giovanni Battista Belzoni. The stories of bravery, courage, and personal life of Ramses were engraved on the walls of the temple, and along with that another beautiful temple at some distance from the Grand Temple was built to remember Ramses King’s favorite wife Queen Nefertari. Being so delicate, all the historical artworks are preserved so carefully that even photography is banned there.

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Abu_Simbel_temple
Abu_Simbel_temple

Image Source: Wikimedia

6. Temple of Philaeles

On the Island of the Nile River in Egypt, various temples were built by Greeks and Romans but the most renowned among all of them is the Temple of Philaeles. Built the devotion to Goddess Isis this temple has a great connection with the god Osiris as this great multitasker, god of fertility, vegetation, and agriculture was buried under this island. Having a great religious value this temple is worshipped by people from both North Egyptians and South Nubians.

Temple of Philaeles
Temple of Philaeles

Image Source: Wikimedia

7. Kom-Ombo

Constructed during the Greco-Roman period, the Kom-Ombo temple is located on the east side of the Nile River, 45 km away from the city of Aswan. Kom-Ombo stands for The Hill of Gold and was built during 180-47 BC. It is well known because of its complete symmetry, 2 entrances, and several rooms, and its double design is devoted to two gods.

One is the crocodile god Sobek in the southern part and the second is the god Hor-Wer, the protector of Egypt in the Northern part. In this temple, crocodiles used to relax under the sun on the Shore of the Nile River which was their favorite spot for crocodiles. Every day the temple opens at 9:00 AM and closes at 5:00 PM.

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Kom-Ombo
Kom-Ombo

Image Source: Wikimedia

8. Temple of Seti I

This 550-foot-long temple was built to honor the ancestral Pharaohs of early times and was completed under the guidance of Ramesses II who was the son of Seti II. It is also recognized as the temple of Abydos and is famous for the graffiti on its walls.

It is one of the most beautiful and unique temples of Egypt and is full of mystery, decoration, and pleasant views. Usually, the buildings are rectangular, but this unique temple is L-shaped with seven doorways. A woman named Dorothy Eady lived in this temple as a priest and the lover of Seti I. She used to perform the rites in the temple and she died in 1981.

Temple of Seti I
Temple of Seti I

Image Source: Wikimedia

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9. The Valley of the Kings

Constructed back in the 11th century, The Valley of the Kings existed around 500 years ago on the West Bank of the Nile River. The sole purpose of building The Valley of the Kings was to make it the resting place for pharaohs. They were buried here and some major rulers such as Thutmose I and Ramses XI were also buried here. As it was the burying place of kings, queens, and royal family members, all the tombs were decorated, and their entrances were kept hidden.

The Valley of the Kings
The Valley of the Kings

Image Source: Wikimedia

10. The Great Pyramid of Giza

Sited on the Western bank of the Nile River, Giza city is the third-largest city in Egypt. In total, there are 9 pyramids in which the remains of members of the fourth dynasty are present. The Great Pyramid of Giza was considered the tallest building in the world for around 3800 years. Standing 481 feet tall, The Great Pyramid of Giza is one of the best tours a person can experience.

The Great Pyramid of Giza
The Great Pyramid of Giza

Image Source: Wikipedia

11. Great Sphinx of Giza

The Great Sphinx of Giza, an immense limestone statue located near the Great Pyramid in Egypt, is a renowned ancient monument. Standing at 66 feet (20 meters) in height and stretching 240 feet (73 meters) in length, it ranks among the world’s largest structures. Despite its iconic status and association with ancient Egypt, the origins and history of the Great Sphinx remain subjects of ongoing debate. Erected over 4,500 years ago, this colossal statue is an enduring symbol of the enigmatic and sophisticated civilization that thrived along the banks of the Nile River.

Great Sphinx of Giza
Great Sphinx of Giza

Image Source: Wikimedia

12. Ibn Tulun Mosque

Situated in Cairo, Egypt, the Mosque of Ibn Tulun stands as one of the continent’s oldest mosques, maintaining its original form. It holds the distinction of being the largest mosque in Cairo based on land area. Constructed around an open square courtyard, the mosque’s design cleverly facilitates the passage of natural light. This architectural gem not only represents historical significance as one of Egypt’s enduring structures but also showcases the enduring beauty of Islamic design. The Mosque of Ibn Tulun stands as a testament to the rich cultural and architectural heritage of Cairo, drawing visitors with its ancient charm and historical resonance.

Ibn Tulun Mosque
Ibn Tulun Mosque

Image Source: Wikipedia

13. Hanging Church

Contrary to its name, the Hanging Church, or Al Moallaqa, isn’t suspended or hanging; it rests atop the gates of an ancient Roman fortress. Situated in Old Coptic Cairo, once part of ancient Egypt’s Heliopolite Nome, the church is in close proximity to the renowned Babylon Fortress. Commissioned by the Roman emperor Diocletian, this imposing stronghold was strategically constructed near a harbor settlement and canal initiated years earlier by Emperor Trajan. The Hanging Church’s distinctive title originates from its unique architectural position, placed above the ancient fortress gates, offering a captivating link to both Coptic Christian history and Egypt’s Roman past.

Hanging Church
Hanging Church

Image Source: Wikimedia

14. Pyramid Of Menkaure

Menkaure’s pyramid, the third major pyramid at Giza, is the smallest among the trio, reaching a height of 65 meters (213 feet). Despite its size, it houses some of the most remarkable sculptures from Egyptian history. The complex showcases intricate chambers, including one adorned with decorative panels and another featuring six large niches. The burial chamber is constructed with massive granite blocks. Inside, a black stone sarcophagus, intricately carved with niched panels, was discovered, but tragically lost at sea in 1838 while being transported to England. Menkaure’s pyramid stands as a testament to the rich artistic and architectural legacy of ancient Egypt.

Pyramid Of Menkaure
Pyramid Of Menkaure

Image Source: Wikipedia

15. Saqqara Necropolis

Saqqara, situated on the western bank of the Nile, 40 kilometers south of Cairo, hosts the oldest necropolis of the city of Memphis. Named after the burial god Sokar, this archaeological site spans 6.2 kilometers across the Western Plateau, part of a series of necropolises along the river from Abu Rowash in the north to Dahshur in the south, all tied to the ancient capital, Memphis. Its significance lies in continuous use from the first dynasty to the Christian era in Egypt, making Saqqara one of the country’s most archaeologically rich sites. It preserves structures from ancient Egyptian funerary practices to Coptic monasteries, spanning 3,000 years.

Built approximately 4,700 years ago at Saqqara, the Step Pyramid of Djoser holds the distinction of being Egypt’s inaugural pyramid. Djoser, also known as Netjerykhet, was the pharaoh of Egypt’s third dynasty who lent his name to this historic structure. The pyramid’s design is credited to Imhotep, a vizier whose achievements would later elevate him to a high status. As the pioneering pyramid, Djoser’s Step Pyramid marked a significant advancement in ancient Egyptian architecture, setting the stage for the iconic structures that would follow and making a lasting impact on the cultural and historical landscape of Egypt.

Saqqara Necropo
Saqqara Necropo

Image Source: Wikimedia

16. Bazaar Khan El-Khalili

One of the famous monuments of Ancient Egypt, nestled in the center of Islamic Cairo, close to the Saladin Citadel’s medieval walls, the Khan El-Khalili market occupies the former burial ground of the 10th-century Fatimid Caliphs, founders of Cairo. While the market’s trading roots trace back to the 14th century, its distinctive features, such as intricately carved gates and grid-patterned alleys, were crafted in the 16th century during the reign of Egypt’s last influential Mamluk ruler. Positioned in the historic heart of the city, Khan el-Khalili resonates with centuries of commerce, cultural richness, and the enduring legacy of Cairo’s vibrant past.

Bazaar Khan El-Khalili
Bazaar Khan El-Khalili

Image Source: Wikimedia

These are the top 16 famous monuments of Ancient Egypt. Kindly share and post your comments.

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