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Egyptian temples

The ancient Egyptians built some of the most magnificent and impressive structures in human history, and their temples were no exception. These grand monuments served as places of worship, education, and  social gathering, and were essential to the religious and cultural life of the Egyptian people.

Some of the most important temples in Egypt include the Temple of Amun at Karnak, which was the largest religious building in the world and the center of religious life in ancient Egypt. The Temple of Luxor was another significant temple dedicated to the god Amun, and was built by Amenhotep III in the 14th century BC. The Temple of Horus at Edfu is another well-preserved temple and one of the most important examples of Ptolemaic-era architecture.

Other notable temples include the Temple of Abu Simbel, which was built by Ramses II and features colossal statues of the  pharaoh, and the Temple of Hathor at Dendera, which is famous for its stunning  astronomical ceiling.

Find out more about the history, architecture, and significance of these and other remarkable temples in ancient Egypt in these article.

Representation of decans, zodiac signs used to measure the twelve hours of the night, on the ceiling of the Temple of Esna. On the left pre-restoration and on the right post-restoration. Source: Ahmed Emam / Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

Archaeologists Discover Rare Zodiac Carvings at Egypt's Temple of Esna

Archaeologists engaged in restoration and re-coloring work at the Temple of Esna in Egypt have succeeded in uncovering a remarkable representation of celestial bodies together with all 12 signs of...
Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III. Source: Asta/Public Domain

The Majestic Medinet Habu and the Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III

Usermaatre Meryamun Ramesses III was one of the last great Ancient Egyptian pharaohs of the New Kingdom period. The second ruler of the Twentieth Dynasty, Ramesses III was a notable warrior pharaoh,...
The columns of the Hypostyle Hall at the Karnak temple complex in Egypt. Source: whatafoto / Adobe Stock

The Awe-Inspiring Karnak Temple Complex and Vatican of Ancient Egypt

Karnak in Egypt is the largest known religious complex on Earth located on the east side of the River Nile at the ancient Egyptian city of Thebes. Referred to as the Vatican of ancient Egypt, many...
Left; Pillar Hall at Buto Temple, Right; Engraved ivory found at the site.  Source: Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities

Pillars from 7th-Century BC Temple Discovered Under the ‘Mound of the Pharaohs’

A temple room including the remains of three standing pillars and many curious artifacts that date back to the seventh century BC have been uncovered from under a mound at the Tel al-Faraeen...
Abu Gorab is the site where Egypt’s 3rd Fifth Dynasty sun temple has been discovered beneath a younger sun temple!		 Source: National Geographic / Windfall Films / MCPR

Lost Egyptian Sun Temple Found Near Cairo: 'Biggest Find in 50 Years'

In a thrilling new find, archaeologists have found the remains of what they believe is one of six sun temples ever built by the Fifth Dynasty pharaohs. The discovery made in Abu Gorab, south of Cairo...
Unknown Constellations And More Discovered At Egypt’s Esna Temple

Unknown Constellations And More Discovered At Egypt’s Esna Temple

While the world was locked-down this summer, a team of brave researchers in Egypt cleaned up an ancient cult temple, and what they discovered is truly astronomical. The Esna Temple (or Temple of Esna...
Temple of Edfu passage with glowing walls of Egyptian hieroglyphs on either side.	Source: Konstantin / AdobeStock

Decrypting the Temple of Edfu and the Edfu Texts

Edfu city is located between Luxor and Aswan in the southern area of Egypt. The city, which is situated on the west bank of the Nile , is world famous for its temple, which was built during the...
Entrance to the Luxor Temple at sunset showing the obelisk and statues of pharaohs

Luxor Temple: The Sacred Sanctuary With An Eternal Legacy

Luxor Temple is one of the most famous temple complexes in Egypt. This temple complex is situated on the east bank of the Nile River, in Luxor, the main city of Upper Egypt’s fourth nome. Luxor...
The stunning temple of Seti I in Abydos - Egypt

The Stunning Temple of Seti I in Abydos, Egypt

Seti I is one of the lesser-known pharaohs of the New Kingdom period of ancient Egypt. However, his temple in Abydos is among the most famous, cited by many as the most impressive religious structure...
Kom Ombo Temple

Kom Ombo: An Egyptian Temple Dedicated to Two Rival Gods

Kom Ombo (meaning the ‘Mound of Ombo’) is an ancient Egyptian town located in what is today the Aswan Governorate of Upper Egypt, about 50 km (31 miles) to the north of Aswan. Kom Ombo is notable...
Aerial view of Thebes' Ramesseum, showing pylons and secondary buildings and the Medical Papyri.

Revealing the Ramesseum Medical Papyri and Other Remarkable Finds from the Temple of Ramesses II

The mortuary temple of Ramesses II is one of the most magnificent temples in the Theban necropolis in Upper Egypt. It was discovered by Jean-Francois Champollion, the same man who deciphered the...
Hatshepsut

Archaeologists identify Temple of Hatshepsut, the female Pharaoh the ancients tried to erase

King Thutmose III, sixth Pharaoh of the 18 th Dynasty in Ancient Egypt, tried to erase all memory of Hatshepsut, the “Woman Who Was King”, but he was unsuccessful as traces of this powerful female...
The Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahri

The Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahri

The name Deir el-Bahri means ‘Northern Monastery’, indicating that the site was once used by Christian monks. Prior to the coming of Christianity, however, the site in the Valley of the Kings was a...
Reconstructed Temple of the Night Sun in Mortuary of Queen Hatshepsut

Reconstructed Temple of the Night Sun in Mortuary of Queen Hatshepsut opens to the public

More than 1.2 million rotations of the Earth on its axis since her death, Queen Hatepshut has not been eradicated from memory by her ancient successors. Far from it. Still today, nearly 3,500 years...