I was tired enough, in this hot weather but still was hanging in historic town of Egypt, Luxor [in Arabic Al-Uksor] in 5th February 2006. But our tour guide Linda was keen to take us at least two more locations. Obeying her was in our interest since we could see tens of surprises in each step, unbelievable historical buildings in this town. One of that was no doubt the temple of Amon Ra, the God of Pharaohs, and temple of Karnak- which according to my Egyptian guide Honey, was the biggest open air museum in the world.
Temple of Karnak, which the Greeks called Hermonthis, is located about three kilometers from the temple of Luxor. This archeological site includes three divided areas separated by a rough brick boundary. The largest is the central area covering thirty hectares, in time the dimension of each complex changed and the pharaohs who succeeded to the throne left their mark by extending the temple or adding halls and chapels.
While I was entering to the building, from one point it remained me the building of United Nation in New York, where I could meet with the citizens of all over the world, from other hand, I felt that I entered in era of ancient Egypt.
It was at the same time reflection of the fact that how much this building was famous in the world, but I was late in realizing it, I wouldn’t visit it even today if our team didn’t insist in. But I absolutely didn’t regret after this short trip, as it was amazing part of the history and the strongest candidate if world decide to chose the 8th wonder of the world.
I was also in shock that how these pharaohs managed to build such kind of huge buildings, tall walls, such architectural design, interesting and beautiful draws almost 4000 BC? While I entered from the main but open gate, a short avenue of criosphinxes lead me to the first and largest pylon, 113 meters wide and 15 meters thick constituting the monumental entrance to the temple; I understand it is unadorned and dates back to the Ptolemy dynasty.
The sphinxes with the heads of rams, sacred to Amon, represent the god that protected the Pharaohs portrayed by animals’ paws. The first courtyard that I encountered was known as the Ethiopian courtyard dates back to the IX dynasty. The courtyard was dominated in the center by tall columns featuring an open papyrus column. According to what I told by My Egyptian guide honey, it was remains of the gigantic pavilion of the Ethiopian king Taharka, 21 meters high and with a wooden ceiling destined to protect the sacred boats. Second hall was almost made up by tall columns numbering 134, which I understand each of that was 23 meter high. The open papyrus-shaped capitals head at their tops, a circumference of about 15 meters, which could take 50 people standing.
This was entirely interesting and very historic part of the world ever I have seen, but I should admit that I was enable to visit each part of this temple since it was late evening and I was tired of walking from early morning.
But before I finish this part of my diary in temple of Karnak, I have to tell that it was amazing even to think that how a man could have built such a large, imposing building complex. On the other hand we know that under the XIX dynasty, 81, 322 people worked in the temple considering priests, guards workmen and peasants.
Moreover the temple benefited from income and the large number of plots, markets and yards, enhanced by all the wealth and booty that the Pharaoh brought back from his military victories.
It was the last part of my journey into the oldest part of the world ‘Luxor’, where according to my Egyptian guides life has stopped thousands years. Tomorrow is 6th February 2006, and I will be going to Cairo the capital of Egypt and at the same time the biggest and most crowded city of African continent, where I will take you to the 7th wonder of the world ‘the pyramids’.