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The Colossi of Memnon: One of Many Wonders on Your Nile Cruise Journey

Colossi of Memnon
Colossi of Memnon

A Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan offers travellers an unforgettable journey through ancient Egypt’s most spectacular monuments and archaeological treasures. Among the many extraordinary sites you’ll visit during your Nile cruise holiday – including the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, and the Temple of Philae – stands one of the most impressive and mysterious monuments: the Colossi of Memnon. These towering twin statues represent just one fascinating stop on your Nile cruise adventure, yet their grandeur and historical significance make them a memorable highlight of any Egyptian journey.

A Grand Welcome to Your Nile Cruise Adventure

Standing at an awe-inspiring height of 18 meters (60 feet), these massive quartzite sandstone statues were originally built to guard the mortuary temple of Pharaoh Amenhotep III. Today, they provide a spectacular sight for Nile cruise passengers beginning their journey through ancient Egypt. Their commanding presence on the West Bank of Luxor serves as a perfect introduction to the architectural marvels that await during your Nile cruise experience.

The Singing Statues: An Ancient Marvel

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the Colossi of Memnon is the legendary “singing” phenomenon that made them famous throughout the ancient world. Following an earthquake in 27 BCE that cracked one of the statues, it began producing a whistling sound at dawn. This mysterious “song” attracted numerous Roman emperors and other ancient tourists during their own Nile cruise journeys. While the sound ceased after Roman repairs to the statue, the mystique of the singing colossus continues to captivate modern Nile cruise visitors.

Expertly Guided Excursions from Your Nile Cruise

When you choose a Nile cruise holiday with Nile Cruises 4u, your expert Egyptologist will ensure that you gain deep insights into the fascinating history of these ancient monuments. You’ll learn how the statues were originally crafted from single blocks of stone and transported from quarries near Cairo – an incredible feat of ancient engineering that still puzzles experts today.

Perfect Photo Opportunities on Your Nile Cruise

The Colossi of Memnon provide excellent photography opportunities during your Nile cruise, particularly during sunrise when the morning light creates stunning effects on the ancient stone. Our Nile cruise guides know exactly the best times and angles for capturing these magnificent monuments, ensuring you return home with memorable photos of your Egyptian adventure.

A Gateway to Further Wonders

While the Colossi of Memnon are impressive in their own right, they’re just one of many extraordinary sites you’ll visit on your Nile cruise holiday. These ancient guardians mark the start of the vast necropolis that includes the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut, and numerous other archaeological treasures you’ll discover during your Nile cruise journey.

Plan Your Nile Cruise Experience

The Colossi of Memnon are a captivating highlight in an itinerary filled with wonders during your Nile cruise with Nile Cruises 4u. Our carefully crafted Nile cruise packages ensure you experience these ancient monuments and many more in comfort and style, accompanied by knowledgeable guides who bring Egypt’s fascinating history to life.

Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a photography lover, or simply seeking an unforgettable travel experience, our comprehensive Nile cruise packages offer a perfect blend of ancient wonders and modern comfort. Call us, Nile Cruises 4u, today on our Freephone number 0808 1089 100, to begin planning your perfect Nile cruise holiday and prepare to discover the magnificent Colossi of Memnon along with Egypt’s other incredible treasures.

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Egyptian Tomb Hunting

Egyptian Tomb Hunting
Egyptian Tomb Hunting

Egyptian Tomb Hunting.

Tonight, on Channel 5, sees Tony Robinson going all Indiana Jones, scrabbling around archaeological excavations by the Nile and getting very muddy. We see him wandering around the great ancient Egyptian monuments in Giza and Luxor, but it’s far more interesting to follow him as he becomes one of the first laymen to catch sight of new discoveries being made in previously unexplored tombs.

Luxor is usually the start of your Nile cruise.

 

Like the dozens of pots containing the detritus of a mummification process – including an accidentally discarded major organ that Tony’s pleased as punch to get to hold – or the exquisitely carved but unfinished entranceway to the home for eternity of an ancient local dignitary. As he says, “The Egyptians did death better than anyone else.”

Tonight’s programme is part one of two.
In part two Tony goes on a journey across Egypt, where a series of incredible new tomb discoveries are being made. He travels the length of the Nile, from Cairo to Aswan, to investigate tombs of all shapes and sizes, and meets the archaeologists, including John Ward, who are unearthing extraordinary wonders.
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Al-Assasif Necropolis

El-Assasif is a necropolis near Luxor on the West Bank at Thebes, Egypt, Upper Egypt. It is located in the dry bay that leads up to Deir el-Bahri and south of the necropolis of Dra’ Abu el-Naga’.

El-Assasif contains burials from the 18th, 25th and 26th dynasties of ancient Egypt, covering the period c. 1550 to 525 BC across all three dynasties.

In October 2019, 30 coffins were uncovered and presented, dating back to the 22nd dynasty.

You can read more about the Al-Assasif necropolis here: https://bit.ly/2DZs3w5

If you would like to know more about cruising The Nile and all of the wonders and treasures you will see on a Nile cruise please visit my dedicated Nile cruise website, www.nile-cruises-4u.co.uk or call me at any time on Freephone 0808 1089 100 and I’ll be more than happy to tell you about this wonderful travel experience. Barbara

 

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Tomb of Nubia Viceroy during the reign of King Tutankhamun is to be opened in mid-December at Qurnet Marei on Luxor’s west bank

Huy Tomb opens to the public on Luxor's West Bank.Tomb of Nubia Viceroy during the reign of King Tutankhamun is to be opened in mid-December at Qurnet Marei on Luxor’s west bank.

According to an article in http://english.ahram.org.eg, Egypt’s largest news organisation and publisher of Al-Ahram, Egypt’s oldest newspaper, after three years of restoration, the tomb of Huy, Nubia Viceroy during the reign of King Tutankhamun, is to be opened to the public for the first time.

The tomb is located at Qurnet Marei on Luxor‘s west bank, and it includes a court and a burial chamber. Continue reading “Tomb of Nubia Viceroy during the reign of King Tutankhamun is to be opened in mid-December at Qurnet Marei on Luxor’s west bank”

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Pharaoh rises again 3000 years after fall…

In an news article in The Guardian yesterday it was announced that archaeologists have unveiled a restored statue of Amenhotep III which toppled in an earthquake more than 3000 years ago at Egypt’s “temple city”…Luxor.

Colossi of MemnonBarbara and I have visited the site on several occasions and apparently the statue has been erected at the northern gate of the king’s funerary temple, which already has twin statues of a seated Amenhotep III, known ans the Colossi of Memnon.

The article goes on to say that the 12.9 metre (43ft) statue of the pharaoh, whose reign archaeologists say marked the political and cultural zenith of ancient Egyptian civilisation, and who died about 1,354BC, was unveiled yesterday and stands west of an additional effigy of him erected this March.

Amenhotep III inherited an empire that stretched from the Euphrates to Sudan. The restored statue, showing him striding, wearing the white crown of Upper Egypt and holding a papyrus roll in each hand, weighs 10 tonnes.

You will be able to see the new statue as part of your Nile cruise itinerary when you visit the Valley Of The Kings.