Sacred Lake

The lake served for ritual purposes and the purification of the priests.

The sacred boats of the Theban Triad floated on the lake. They were decorated and statues of gods were placed upon their canopies. At night, torches were lit and priests sang hymns while burning insense.

Address: Upper Egypt, Thebes

Directions: north of Luxor

Website: http://www.touregypt.net

The Hypostyle Hall

As for me, I was totally impressed with the hall of lotus and papyrus columns. They were all built of reddish-brown sandstone semi-drums and they all have the reliefs of their builder, Seti I, and his son, Ramses II.

It's believed that about 100 persons can stand on each of the open-flower capitals!

Address: Upper Egypt, Thebes

Directions: north of Luxor

Website: http://www.egyptvoyager.com/karnak_virtual.htm

The Sacred Place

1st court

If you want to go back to the past and feel the power of the pharaohs, you should definitely visit Karnak.

Karnak consists of several temples that honour the Theban Triad (Amun, his wife Mut and son Khonsu, the moon god). But the most important temple here is the Temple of Amun-Ra which is the largest in the world.

Website: http://www.culturefocus.com/egypt_thebes.htm

a court

The 1st thing that'll strike you is the long Avenue of ram-headed Sphinxes that connects Karnak with Luxor. Then, there are pylons with different historic scenes, courts, chapels, the obelisks of Thotmosis I and of Hatshepsut (the upper part of it lies near Sacred Lake in the temple) and the colossal scarab.

Website: http://www.travel-to-egypt.net/ancient-egypt-temples-karnak.html

columns and obelisk

Karnak is actually the site's modern name. Its ancient name was Ipet-Isut, meaning 'the Most Sacred of Places.'

The temple complex was built by many generations of ancient builders. It took them over 1300 years.

Address: Upper Egypt, Thebes

Directions: about 3km north of Luxor