MyWorldReviews.com

Karnak Temple

Luxor, Qin., Egypt

Big pillars in Karnak Temple

The Karnak Temple Complex, located near Luxor Egypt, is a simply spectacular ancient temple complex. This was one of the first sites we visited in Egypt, and it still remains one of the highlights of the trip. We visited this temple as part of Trafalgar's Best of Egypt Tour.

We didn't have any expectations about what we'd see at Karnak Temple, and it was the first temple we visited, which is probably why we were so astounded with what we saw. The temple complex was absolutely huge. There are enormous walls, many different rooms and areas, and gigantic pillars all over the temple. Every surface is covered with writing and graphical carvings. In some areas, there is still paint visible on some of the surfaces. The paint is most visible in areas of the temple that are still covered. It's really impossible to describe the grandeur of the temple without being there and seeing it.

It was a bit surprising how the walls and carvings were right out in the open. Most of the areas weren't roped off, so you could go right up to the pillars and walls and touch them. In any other museum around the world, the smallest fragment of an authentic ancient Egyptian carving would be securely locked away behind glass.

Unfortunately, there are very few informational displays inside the temple. I think there may have only been one or two, and they didn't provide any useful information about what you were looking at. There is an invaluable amount of historical value in the temple, but it wasn't being capitalized very well at all. Karnak Temple could be one of the world's great outdoor museums, but instead, visitors are left admiring the temple without understanding any of its significance.

Cost

Part of a covered area at Karnak Temple - notice the colors that are still there!

At the time we visited, entry to Karnak Temple cost 50 LE per person. This is a fantastic bargain. If they were to "modernize" the temple and turn it more into a museum (with informational displays), they could charge significantly more, and still provide excellent value to visitors.

Photography and video filming were allowed without a permit.

Estimated Visiting Time

An obelisk at Karnak Temple

You could literally spend years here if you were interested in deciphering what was carved into the walls. For a casual visitor, one or two hours is sufficient to explore the temple thoroughly.