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The
temple of Horus, at Edfu, is one of the most complete of the Egyptian temples.
It is relatively modern, in that it was started by Ptolemy III in 237BC and completed
around 56AD. Edfu, like many other temples, is normally only able to be visited by convoy
(about 2 hours from Luxor) - or from a cruise ship, but as the Aswan train stops at Edfu, it would also be possible to visit it that way. Admission to the temple
is LE35. |
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Since I was at Edfu last in 2003, the entrance to the temple has been totally transformed. Instead of entering from the rear of the temple, and walking the entire length of the temple to reach the entrance, a new car park, bazaar, ticket office and visitor centre has been built. There's even a special shaded area for the caleches, which are nowhere near as intrusive as in Luxor. |
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The old entrance walkway.
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The new forecourt with a really impressive view of the temple. |
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Inside
the first forecourt, looking towards the first pylon.
Below
is the facade of the main part of temple, guarded by two Horus figures (and
a 'guide'!) The facade is extremely similar to the ones at Dendera and Esna.
Although the carving may not be as good as that in the other major temples
of Egypt, the fact that Edfu is virtually complete can give a good impression
of how they might have looked like in their heyday. |
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Edfu is dedicated to Horus, and once a year, his 'wife' Hathor travelled from her temple at Dendera, on the Nile to Edfu. Horus returned the visit 6 months later. |
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