Karnak temple

The Karnak temple in fact is built from the inside out, and we find the oldest part in the centre, the Holy of Holies, built by Thutmoses 1. There are older parts, but just foundations have been found, the buildings probably were destroyed by the Hyksos.
The temple was dedicated to Amon, but in fact is for the triade Amon, Mut and Chonsu.

Seperate we find 2 other temples, Mut at the North area and Chonsu at the South.

In early days, both the temples of Luxor and Karnak were connected by an alley of sfinxes, of which still a large part can be seen running through Luxor city.
Ticket 80 LE, Open air museum 40LE

Temple of Karnak

Temple of KarnakRamsfinxes at the main entrance

Temple of Karnak

Temple of Karnak

Temple of Karnak

Temple of Karnak

1st pylon, built by Nectanebo, was in fact built last1st pylon, built by Nectanebo, was in fact built last

Small chapels of the Theban triad, the gods Amen, Mut and ChonsuSmall chapels of the Theban triad, the gods Amen, Mut and Chonsu

Front of the temple built by Ramses IIIFront of the temple built by Ramses III

Temple of Ramses IIITemple of Ramses III

Osiridian statues of Ramses IIIOsiridian statues of Ramses III

Statue of Ramses III in the forecourtStatue of Ramses III in the forecourt

Hypostile hall, the center part with the high columns of open papyrus crowns was built by Amenhetep III, the rest by Seti I and Ramses IIHypostile hall, the center part with the high columns of open papyrus crowns was built by Amenhetep III, the rest by Seti I and Ramses II

Temple of Karnak

Hypostile hall passage looking northHypostile hall passage looking north

Temple of Karnak

Hypostile hall, the center part with the high columns of open papyrus crowns was built by Amenhetep III, the rest by Seti I and Ramses IIHypostile hall, the center part with the high columns of open papyrus crowns was built by Amenhetep III, the rest by Seti I and Ramses II

Hypostile hall, the center part with the high columns of open papyrus crowns was built by Amenhetep III, the rest by Seti I and Ramses IIHypostile hall, the center part with the high columns of open papyrus crowns was built by Amenhetep III, the rest by Seti I and Ramses II

Temple of Karnak

Temple of Karnak

Part of the hypostile hall built by Seti I, Mn-Maat-RePart of the hypostile hall built by Seti I, Mn-Maat-Re

IXth pylon built by HoremhebIXth pylon built by Horemheb

Xth pylon built HoremhebXth pylon built Horemheb

Temple of Karnak

Temple of Karnak

Temple of Karnak

North side of the templeNorth side of the temple

Temple of Karnak

A name on an architrave Neb-kheperu-Re or Tut-ankh-AmenA name on an architrave Neb-kheperu-Re or Tut-ankh-Amen

Temple of Karnak

View towards the great hypostile hallView towards the great hypostile hall

A block drifting?...Thutmose III A block drifting?...Thutmose III

VIIIth pylon, built by Hatshepsut and Thutmose I-IIIVIIIth pylon, built by Hatshepsut and Thutmose I-III

East part of the VIIIth pylon built by Thutmose I and HatshepsutEast part of the VIIIth pylon built by Thutmose I and Hatshepsut

View from the IXth pylon over the sacred lake towards the Eastern gateView from the IXth pylon over the sacred lake towards the Eastern gate

Pylon IX of Horemheb, the restoration stopped, because the inner blocks appear to be those of Ankh-en-Aten, being reused by Horemheb.Pylon IX of Horemheb, the restoration stopped, because the inner blocks appear to be those of Ankh-en-Aten, being reused by Horemheb.

IXth pylon, built by Horemheb south sideIXth pylon, built by Horemheb south side

Eastern gateEastern gate

View from the rear of the Hypostile hall with the two obelisks.View from the rear of the Hypostile hall with the two obelisks.

Temple of Karnak

Temple of Karnak

Temple of Karnak

Outer wall of the hypostile hall with scenes of Ramses II in the battle of KadeshOuter wall of the hypostile hall with scenes of Ramses II in the battle of Kadesh

Outer wall of the hypostile hall with scenes of Ramses II in the battle of KadeshOuter wall of the hypostile hall with scenes of Ramses II in the battle of Kadesh

Temple of Karnak

Temple of Karnak

Temple of Karnak

Hypostile hall built by Ramses IIHypostile hall built by Ramses II

Temple of Karnak

Red granite statue of Thutmose IIIRed granite statue of Thutmose III

Temple of Karnak

Sanctuary of Thutmose I and Hatshepsut, her image was erased by priests or Thutmose IIISanctuary of Thutmose I and Hatshepsut, her image was erased by priests or Thutmose III

Sanctuary of Thutmose I and Hatshepsut, her name was erased by priests or Thutmose IIISanctuary of Thutmose I and Hatshepsut, her name was erased by priests or Thutmose III

Temple of Karnak

Temple of Karnak

Temple of Karnak

Hypostile hall, the center part with the high columns of open papyrus crowns was built by Amenhetep III, the rest by Seti I and Ramses IIHypostile hall, the center part with the high columns of open papyrus crowns was built by Amenhetep III, the rest by Seti I and Ramses II

View from the hypostile hall towards the Holy of Holies and the obelisk of HatshepsutView from the hypostile hall towards the Holy of Holies and the obelisk of Hatshepsut

The sacred lakeThe sacred lake

Temple of Karnak

Temple of Karnak

Osiris columnsOsiris columns

Osiris columns with the obeliskOsiris columns with the obelisk

Right wall with the enemies of EgyptRight wall with the enemies of Egypt

Temple of Karnak

Temple of Karnak

Sanctuary built by Thutmose I and HatshepsutSanctuary built by Thutmose I and Hatshepsut

Temple of Karnak

Sanctuary built by Thutmose I and Hatshepsut, her image is erased by the priest or Thutmose IIISanctuary built by Thutmose I and Hatshepsut, her image is erased by the priest or Thutmose III

South gate towards the avenue of sphinxes leading to the Mut templeSouth gate towards the avenue of sphinxes leading to the Mut temple

Temple of Karnak

Temple of KarnakDetail of the South gate

Detail of the Southern GateDetail of the Southern Gate

Pylon of the temple of ChonsuPylon of the temple of Chonsu

White chapel of Sesostris at the Open Air museum.White chapel of Sesostris at the Open Air museum.

Small chapel of Amenhetep I in the Open Air museumSmall chapel of Amenhetep I in the Open Air museum

Temple of Thutmose IV at the open air museumTemple of Thutmose IV at the open air museum

4 baboons forming a base of a obelisk in the Open Air museum4 baboons forming a base of a obelisk in the Open Air museum

kar12028

kar12029

IXth pylon, built by Horemheb, north sideIXth pylon, built by Horemheb, north side

Usr-Maat-Re-stp-n-Re, the name of the great builder Ramses IIUsr-Maat-Re-stp-n-Re, the name of the great builder Ramses II

Festival hall of Thutmose IIIFestival hall of Thutmose III

Entrance at the back of the hypostile hall with Ramses II in the battle of KadeshEntrance at the back of the hypostile hall with Ramses II in the battle of Kadesh

chapel of Amenhetep Ichapel of Amenhetep I

chapel of Amenhetep Ichapel of Amenhetep I

chapel of Amenhetep Ichapel of Amenhetep I

Limestone statue of Tut-ankh-AmenLimestone statue of Tut-ankh-Amen

10th Pylon built by Horemheb10th Pylon built by Horemheb

8th pylon built by Hatshepsut, and her name was replaced by Thutmose III into Thutmose II8th pylon built by Hatshepsut, and her name was replaced by Thutmose III into Thutmose II

The 7th pylon with scenes of the farao Thutmose III, grandson, smiting his enemies. The 7th pylon with scenes of the farao Thutmose III, grandson, smiting his enemies.

The 7th pylon with scenes of the farao Thutmose III, grandson, smiting his enemies. The 7th pylon with scenes of the farao Thutmose III, grandson, smiting his enemies.

chapel of Thutmose IVchapel of Thutmose IV

Architrave with the name of Ramses III in his templeArchitrave with the name of Ramses III in his temple