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Karnak, or ancient Thebes, was Egypt’s foremost religious complex originally built in 2055 BC. Over the course of 1,500 years the site was continuously expanded by pharaohs, in tribute to the Theban gods; more than 80,000 workers toiled here during the reign of Ramesses II.
The most impressive sight in Karnak is the superbly preserved, 250,000sq m Temple of Amun, which boasts a magnificent hypostyle hall with 134 massive columns.
You need to visit Karnak twice – once in daylight, and once at night for the Sound & Light Show, and to see the temple lit up.
The temple complex of Amun is the main sight here, but also worth a visit is the temple of Amun’s son, falcon-headed Khonsu.
Head to the Obelisk garden, where there are more granite obelisks than anywhere else in Egypt, including the tallest one in the country.
Beyond the inner sanctuary of Amun’s temple, an open space leads to Tuthmosis’s Festival Hall. Later converted to a church, paintings of saints can be seen on the columns.
There are two or three Sound and Light shows (in different languages) each evening. Tickets are available from the temple entrance, or the railway kiosk.
The show gets booked early in high season, so ask your guide or hotel to reserve ahead for you. Arrange return transport for after the show. Get a taxi or caliche (horse cart) to the temple and ask for them to wait.
The complex is open all year round, seven days a week.
Hordes of day-trippers arrive from the Red Sea resorts around 10am, so go as early as possible. Also, the light at dawn is magnificent on the columns.
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