Karnak Temple Hypostyle Hall
The massive columns in the hypostyle hall dwarfs the people and there is still some paint surviving on the under side of the capitals.
The hall covers an area of 50,000 sq ft (5,000 sq meters) and filled with 134 gigantic stone columns with 12 larger columns standing 80 feet (24 m) high lining the central aisle.
The hall was built by Seti I who inscribed the northern wing. The outer walls depict Seti’s battles.
The southern wing was completed by Ramesses II but he usurped the decorations of his father along the main processional walk ways. The south wall is inscribed with a record of Ramesses II’s peace treaty with the Hittites which he signed in 21st year of his reign.
Later pharaohs including Ramesses III, Ramesses IV and Ramesses VI added inscriptions to the walls and the columns.
First pylon
The first pylon was built by the Ethiopian kings (656 BC).
The Great Court
This vast Court holds the Kiosk of Tahraqa and the Second Pylon.
Ramesses III Chapel
First court is lined with Osride statues of Ramesses III
Hypostyle hall
Still the largest room of any religious building in the world
Tuthmosis III Hall
Obelisk of Hatshepsut & Festival Hall of Tuthmosis III
The Sacred Lake
The lake is 129 X 77 meters and was used for ritual navigation.
Thutmose III Pylon
The pylon shows Thutmose smiting his enemies.
Temple of Khonsu
Temple of the moon god Khonsu – son of Amun and Mut.
The mystery of Egyptian cult temples explained, illustrated with videos, photos, drawings and 30 highly detailed computer generated reconstructions.
