Ancient Egyptian temples were the houses of the gods, not places for public worship. Priests served the god’s statue each day, and ordinary people stayed in the outer courts. This guide explains how a temple was laid out, what rituals took place, why temples were centres of learning and which famous temples you can visit today.
Egyptians believed the temple was the home of a god on earth and a copy of the first mound of creation. Only priests and the king could enter the inner rooms.
A typical temple had a huge entrance gate (pylon), an open court, a hall of columns and a dark inner sanctuary. The floor rises and the ceiling lowers as you go deeper, which makes the sanctuary feel hidden and sacred. Columns were carved like papyrus and lotus plants, and the walls were covered in reliefs.
Each morning priests washed, dressed and fed the god’s statue with offerings. Festivals took the statue out in a procession, such as the Opet Festival, which linked Karnak and Luxor Temple.
Temples kept libraries and workshops. Priests studied astronomy, medicine and writing, and trained scribes. Learn about the script in our hieroglyphics guide.
Usually only the outer courts. The inner rooms were for priests and the king.
Edfu is one of the best preserved, and Dendera and Philae are also well preserved.
Some, such as Karnak and Luxor Temple, may have evening light shows or late hours. Check before you go.
A licensed guide helps a lot with the reliefs and the history.
If you want to see the best of Egyptian temples, start with Karnak and Luxor Temple, then add Edfu or Kom Ombo and Philae on the Nile near Aswan.
Book this experience: Private Day Trip to Kom Ombo and Edfu Temples from Aswan from $25.
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