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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.

 

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The Temple of Horus, Edfu

Continuing our ongoing series about the places you’ll visit on your Nile cruise itinerary we are going to look at The Temple of Horus, Edfu.

The Temple of Horus

Edfu, which is approximately 70 miles to the south of Luxor was regarded by Ancient Egyptians as the place most closely associated with Horus, the falcon-headed god. On your visit to Edfu you will see one of the best-conserved sites in Egypt. It is also the second largest temple after the Temples of Karnak. Continue reading “The Temple of Horus, Edfu”

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The Temple of Philae

The Temple of Philae. 

Continuing our series about sites and places you will visit on your Nile Cruise Itinerary today I’d like to tell you more about The Temple of Philae.

The Temple of Philae

Aswan is one of the prettiest cities in Egypt, situated where the Nile narrows between golden sand dunes and rugged granite boulders.

From Aswan you’ll be able to enjoy excursions to the Temple of Philae , the high dam, the unfinished obelisk and the Nubian Museum as well as the Elephantine & Kitchener islands.

As you sail into Aswan you will see one of the most attractive hardbours of your trip. The view ahead of you will include other cruise ships, feluccas, dahabiyyas andon the western bank across from Aswan you’ll see  the tombs of the Nobles high up in its caves. It really is a memorable sight.

Barbara on board the Royal Viking sailing towards Aswan

The Tepmle of Philae, which was a centre of worship for the goddess Isis, the mother of Horus, was dismanted and re-built by UNESCO over 30 years ago when it was realised that the building of The High Dam would eventually flood and submerge Philae is land. Continue reading “The Temple of Philae”