Great Hypostyle Hall - Karnak Trmple, Egypt

Great Hypostyle Hall - Karnak Trmple, Egypt


There are magnificent temples, chapels, pylons and many other tremendous architectural stuff that you can see at Karnak which is associated with the Theben triad of Amun, Mut and Khonsu. This magnificent Cluster of Karnak Temple Complex in Egypt was built almost 2000 years ago and gives its name to the nearby, and partly surrounded, modern village of El-Karnak, 2.5 kilometers (1.6 miles) north of the ancient city of Luxor.  Most of the Buildings of this Complex were constructed in the era of Pharaoh Ramses II, from around 1391-1351 BC. This area was the most important place for worship during that time. The Great Temple of Amun was a very large building, and it is still available to visitors today.

The complex is a vast open-air museum and the largest ancient religious site in the world. It is believed to be the second most visited historical site in Egypt and this is the World Heritage Site of UNESCO today. The original temple was destroyed and partially restored by Hatshepsut, although another pharaoh built around it in order to change the focus or orientation of the sacred area. Many portions of it may have been carried away for use in other buildings. Following are some of the prominent buildings of the Karnak Temple Complex;

Precinct of Amun-Re is the largest of the precincts of the temple complex, and is dedicated to Amun-Re, the chief deity of the Theban Triad.

Precinct of Amun-Re in Karnak Temple Complex - Luxor, Egypt - Image by David Berkowitz
Precinct of Amun-Re in Karnak Temple Complex – Luxor, Egypt – Image by David Berkowitz

The Great Hypostyle Hall of Karnak Temple Complex is located in the Precinct of Amun-Re and it covers an area of 50,000 sq ft (5,000 m2). The roof, now fallen, was supported by 134 columns in 16 rows; the 2 middle rows are higher than the others (being 33 feet (10 m) in circumference and 80 feet (24 m) high).

The Great Hypostyle Hall of Karnak Temple Complex : Photo - Camerons Personal Page
The Great Hypostyle Hall of Karnak Temple Complex : Photo – Camerons Personal Page

Another fabulous building from the magnificent Cluster of Karnak Temple Complex in Egypt which is dedicated to the Mother Goddess Mut is known as the Precinct of Mut. This structure is located in the south of  the south of the newer Amen-Re complex. Its main features are the crescent-shaped lake, the later temple of Ramesses III, the temple of Mut, and the temple of Khonsupakhred.

Temple Precinct of the Goddess Mut at South Karnak, Luxor Egypt - Photo by kairoinfo4u
Temple Precinct of the Goddess Mut at South Karnak, Luxor Egypt – Photo by kairoinfo4u

The Precinct of Montu, located near Luxor and is one of the four main temple  enclosures that make up the immense Karnak Temple Complex. It is dedicated to the Egyptian god Montu. The area covers about 20,000 m². Most monuments are poorly preserved. The main features of the Precinct of Montu are the Temple of Montu, Temple of Harpre and Temple of Ma’at.

The Precinct of Montu - Image by Argenberg
The Precinct of Montu – Image by Argenberg

The temple that Akhebaten (Amenhotep IV) constructed on the site was located east of the main complex, outside the walls of the Amun-Re precinct. It was destroyed immediately after the death of its builder, who had attempted to overcome the powerful priesthood who had gained control over Egypt before his reign. It was so thoroughly demolished that its full extent and layout is currently unknown.

Colossal Statue of Amenhotep IV - Image by Tjflex2
Colossal Statue of Amenhotep IV – Image by Tjflex2

The temple of Karnak was also known as Ipet-isut (Most select of places) by the ancient Egyptians.


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