Architectural plan of the temple complex at Medinet Habu, Luxor

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Medinet Habu: - or the "City of Habu" is one of the magnificent temples in Luxor that is not located in the male stream of masstourism. Unfortunately for those who will not be able to see this temple, and good for you if you go here, as you might avoid the queuing. First of all, let us correct that this is not one temple; it's a temple complex as in the temples of Karnak and Luxor. First temple here was most likely erected during the Middle Kingdom and the last extension was added when Egypt was part of the Roman Empire. In other words, the history of Medinet Habu spans a period of more than 2 millenniums. A. The oldest temple here today is "Jeser Ast" (Sacred place) and was built by Hatshepsut and ThothMoses III (18th dynasty). Under this temple there is remains of a temple, which is older, maybe back to Middle Kingdom. Around this temple there was acacia trees, and acacia trees was planted all the way down to the colossi of Memnon. You should use some time here as the relief’s is made by some of the best artists of ancient Egypt. Librarians got an extra reason for looking around as the goddess Seshat which was the wife of the god of writing (Thoth) was nothing less than the goddess of libraries ("she who is foremost in the house of books"). Look for a beautiful woman with a seven-pointed star upon her head, and if you find such a woman in the reliefs - then you have found Seshat.  back to the plan drawing of Medinet Habu B. Close to Jeser Ast was the holy lake in Medinet Habu. Today it's dry, but you can easily find the remains if you look for them.  back to the plan drawing of Medinet Habu C. Today you will get to Medinet Habu by the road, not so in ancient times. Then it was channels all over the westbank, and one of these would lead you to the temples here, and this is where you would go on land from your boat.  back to the plan drawing of Medinet Habu D. The grand temple of Ramses III is the largest temple at Medinet Habu, and we have an own page with temple plan for Ramses III temple.  back to the plan drawing of Medinet Habu E. Built directly to the temple wall was a palace for Ramses III. It's not much left of the palace as it was built in sun dried mud bricks, while the temple which was a home for gods - was built in stone. Yes, pharaoh was a god, or rather a human, which the king-god had incarnated in. So pharaoh would sooner or later die and buried in the valley of kings, while the gods would live on. That's why the homes of the gods, the temples, was built in stone - but for mortal humans it was good enough with "mortal" materials as sun dried mud bricks - pharaohs no exception!  back to the plan drawing of Medinet Habu F. The temple complex had a large wall all around, and the entrance is today named the "Syrian portal". Originally 22 meters high in three storeys and designed as an Asian fortress. First floor (over the entrance) was maybe harim for Ramses III with relief’s showing female musicians. In the portal itself you will find statues of the goddess of war, Sekhmet with body of a woman and a lion head.  back to the plan drawing of Medinet Habu G. Close to this temple there is a sign pointing you to the toilets. So inconsiderable seem these small chapels that I first believed them to be the toilet the sign pointed to. But don't get tricked if they look inferior to the rest, as they in many ways are the most interesting place in all of Medinet Habu. Around a hundred years after the reign of Ramses III (20th dynasty) the late period of Egyptian culture starts. The imperial power, culture and art started to go into a rapid decay - all the way until the unexpected Sais period when Sais was capital concurrent with the 25th dynasty. This period was a late rebirth of the grand Egyptian culture (not the empire). In Luxor priestesses was the rulers and daughter of the last ruler of the 25th dynasty - the king of Kush (in Nubia) was the head priestess. Her name was Amenordais the first, and please, do not leave Medinet Habu before you have seen the amazing relief’s in her small chapel. It is nothing less than a gem among grand and far more known temples and pyramids of ancient Egypt. On the side of Amenordais chapel is three lesser chapels of the priestesses Nitocris, Shepenwepet II., and Merit-n-usekht.  back to the plan drawing of Medinet Habu H. The last part of the temple complex of Medinet Habu was built during the Roman reign of Antonius Pius (138 - 161 ac) and the interior of this part was later used as an early church, as happened to many of the ancient temples.  back to the plan drawing of Medinet Habu Find more about: Hatshepsut's Terrasse Temple Tomb of the Nobles, Ramose Tomb of the Nobles, Menna & Nakht Medinet Habu tempelkompleks Ramses III temple at Medinet Habu Karnak Temple Complex Main temples in Karnak Luxor Temple Luxor map Egypt maps Cairo map Luxor map Sinai map Nile cruise map Nilvalley map Western desert maps Ancient Nilevalley map Holy family in Egypt map Contact us tours - hotels - expeditions www.egyptmyway.com/contactforms.html MyWay Travel a.s. Tel. Egypt: +2 012 7739149 Tel. Norway: +47 45661608 Epost: post@egyptmyway.com Org. number: NO 987 180 633 Send a Post Card  To the top  List of Egypt Maps  List of Luxor Maps  Plans of Luxor monuments  Egypt Article List  Luxor Photo serial  Printer friendly version  Email this page to a friend Kart & tekst, Arnvid Aakre www.egyptmyway.com/no Except where otherwise noted, this site is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

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