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Luxor History
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During the Memphis period of the Old Kingdom, it was only an obscure town known as Waset or the Scepter (Symbol of sovereignty). The power of Waset increased gradually, in 2060 B.C. Mentohotep, Prince of Waset, reunified Egypt and extended its sovereignty to Nubia, even when the Hyksos (asiatic tribes) invaded the Delta and Middle Egypt in 1785 B.C., Waset did not submit, in 1580 B.C. Ahmos the prince of Waset expelled the Hyksos, reunified Egypt and Waset became the capital of the New Kingdom, its god Amun became the supreme state god, during the next six hundred years, Egypt expanded to the south (Nubia and Kush) and to the east (the Euphrates banks), Waset reached the peak of the glory, the city of the one hundred gates: (luxurious palaces, huge temples, a large gardens, trading centers, foreign embassies), then it became the cosmopolitan city of the Egyptian empire and the first city of the old world.
The decline started in 1095 BC, when the great priest of Amum (Herithor) seized the throne and declared himself pharaoh. The divided Egypt weakened the Empire, strikes came from the south and the east until the Assyrians destroyed Waset in 665 BC leaving the glorious city in ruins. Waset remained forgotten during the periods of the Greek and Roman domination. When the Arabs came & conquered Egypt in 639, being impressed by the ruins of the palaces and temples in Waset, they named it "Aloksor" or the palaces which known today as Luxor. When Champollion discovered the secrets of the hieroglyphic language in 1822, attention was drawn back to Luxor again. Adventurers, archeologists and visitors started to come, Luxor became a very tourstic center, an open book of history.
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Explore the historic of Luxor: |
Born more than 5000 years ago; Luxor is by far the largest museum in the all world. Whenever you walk, you will experience the past and the present at the same time. Built for eternity in granite and sandstone, the tombs and the temples still stand surrounded by houses, markets and hotels. "In the City of the living" Luxor and Karnak temple greet the sunrise. In the "City of the dead" the sunset throws its shadows through the statues and the columns. |
City of the Living: |
Waset stretched along the eastern bank of the Nile, its houses and palaces did not survive, only the houses of gods are still there.
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Karnak temple: |
The largest temple in the world dedicated for Amun. The Pharaohs of the Middle Kingdom built the oldest structures, the latest ones were added during the Ptolemaic period. The most outstanding features are the White Chapel of Sesostris I and the Great Hypo style hall with its 134 huge columns. A long dorms, lined by sphinx statues, connected Karnak temple to Luxor temple.
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Luxor temple: |
Lying 3 km to the south of Karnak temple was built for Mut. During the Opet (new year festival), Amun headed the procession starting from Karnak temple and joined his wife "Mut" in Luxor temple, the main structures were built by Amenophis III and Ramses II.
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Luxor Museum: |
Very fine and exceptional pharaonic collection exhibited elegantly. Felucca: sail on the Nile to Banana island. City of the Dead. On the western bank of the Nile, stretching parallel to Waset, lies the great necropolis. Mortuary temples of the great pharaohs, hundreds of rocky tombs dug in the mountains.
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Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens: |
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Contain the largest tombs dug deeply in the rocky mountains, the tombs walls bear colored paintings and inscriptions showing the journey of the dead to the underworld and his judgment, the tomb of Tutankhamen contains his mummy.
The best well preserved tombs are those of: Queen Nefertari, also the Prince Amunhirkhopchef, King Seti I, King Tuthmosis III, King Amenophis II.
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Tombs of the Nobles and the workers: |
The most beautiful tombs of Egypt, its paintings show every aspect of life in Egypt during the period of the New Kingdom: Nakht, Menna, Sennefer, Rekhmara, Mahout, Ramose, Sennedjem. Hatchepsut's temple unique in its style, 3 successive and overlapping stories framed by the mountain.
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Nile Cruises: |
It goes up the Nile to Aswan (220 KM to the south of Luxor) allowing the passengers to enjoy the scenarios of the Egyptian campaign and to visit the Ptolemaic temples: Esna, Edfu and Kom Ombo.
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Edfu temple: |
The best well preserved of all Egypt's temples, built 2325 years ago for the worship of the god Horus.
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Kom Ombo temple: |
The only double temple in Egypt, all the elements of the structure are doubled since it was built for the worship of two gods: Haraeoris and Sobek.
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