Karnak Temple First Pylon


First pylon - main entrance to Karnak temple
First pylon – main entrance to Karnak temple
Remains of the mud brick ramps, used to build the pylon.
Remains of the mud brick ramps, used to build the pylon.

Karnak Temple First Pylon

The first pylon is the last to be built at Karnak and is the main entrance into the temple today. It was never completed and is undecorated; even the remains of the mud brick ramps, used to build, it can still be seen inside the great court.

The north tower is about 71 feet (21.70m), and the south tower 103 feet (31.65m). If the structure had been completed it would probably reached a height of between 124 feet (38m) to 131 feet (40m).

It was built by Nectanebo I (380-362 BC) who also built the huge enclosure wall surrounding Karnak and some scholars believe that an earlier pylon may have stood on this same spot.

An avenue of sphinxes leads to the pylon. These sphinxes are ram-headed, symbolizing the god Amun and a small effigy of Ramesses II, in the form of Osiris, stands between their front paws.

Karnak Temple birds eye view

First pylon
First pylon
The first pylon was built by the Ethiopian kings (656 BC).

The Great Court
The Great Court
This vast Court holds the Kiosk of Tahraqa and the Second Pylon.

Ramesses III Chapel
Ramesses III Chapel
First court is lined with Osride statues of Ramesses III

Hypostyle hall
Hypostyle hall
Still the largest room of any religious building in the world

Tuthmosis III Hall
Tuthmosis III Hall
Obelisk of Hatshepsut & Festival Hall of Tuthmosis III

The Sacred Lake
The Sacred Lake
The lake is 129 X 77 meters and was used for ritual navigation.

Thutmose III Pylon
Thutmose III Pylon
The pylon shows Thutmose smiting his enemies.

Temple of Khonsu
Temple of Khonsu
Temple of the moon god Khonsu – son of Amun and Mut.

 

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