Temple of Edfu: The Wealth of Historical Information

Q: What is the Temple of Edfu?

The Temple of Edfu is a well-preserved ancient Egyptian temple dedicated to Horus, the falcon-headed god. Built between 237 and 57 BC during the Ptolemaic period, it stands on the west bank of the Nile in Edfu.

Temple of Edfu Facts (also known as The Temple of Horus) is one of the most stunning destinations to visit in Egypt’s incredible history to experience the audacious ambition of Egypt’s temple architects. Temple of Edfu is recognized as the crown jewel of Aswan’s wonderful city, where the legends of the past are revived in the most astounding way throughout this heavenly, magnificent landmark.

Temple of Edfu depicts a lost art that embodies the true essence of ancient Egyptian civilization as seen through the eyes of the Ptolemaic dynasty. This temple was built on land thought to have seen the greatest battle in Egyptian mythology between the good and evil forces represented by the ancient Egyptian gods Horus and Set.

It is the best preserved temple in Egypt and one of the last temples to be constructed in ancient Egypt’s history, serving as a last symbol of the ancient Egyptian heritage’s magnificence, majesty, and glory.

By the end of this article, you will learn all about Temple of Edfu history and why this temple still dominates the Nile-side town of Edfu city.

Let’s get started!

What is The Edfu Temple

Edfu developed tremendously during the Ptolemaic era, and the most prominent tourist attraction there is Temple of Edfu.
The Temple of Edfu is quite new. Because of the building’s youth, it is one of Egypt’s best preserved temples and one of Upper Egypt’s major Nileside tourist destinations. For about 200 years, the monument was buried under nearly 40 feet (12 meters) of desert sand and Nile silt, which somehow helped to preserve it to near-perfection!
The Temple of Horus at Edfu, built during the Ptolemy Dynasty (between 237 and 57 BC), is widely regarded as the most spectacular of all the Nile temples between Luxor and Aswan. It is located in Upper Egypt, 60 kilometers north of Aswan, on the west bank of the Nile River.
Temple of Edfu was the focus of a triad of gods’ cult. The city of Temple of Edfu was known as “Apollopolis Magna” in Greek documents. The reason for this was that the Greeks associated Horus with their god Apollo.
The enormous sandstone walls of the temple are decorated with massive hieroglyphics and sparkling friezes that mimic the patriotic decorations of former pharaohs. Within its immense chambers, strolling through colossal doorways and roaming ant-like along corridors that appear to have been designed for giants, you get a sense of Egypt’s pharaoh’s all-encompassing might.

As the largest temple dedicated to Horus, one of Egypt’s most important historic gods, statues of the falcon-headed god can be found all through the complex, and its extensive wall carvings have provided historians with valuable information about the Hellenistic period of Egyptian history: the magnificent reliefs provide insight into the religion, mythology, and way of life during the era.

The History of Edfu Temple

The Temple of Edfu history exemplifies the profound admiration and connection between the Ptolemaic and ancient Egyptian cultures. The temple was started by Pharaoh Ptolemy Ill on August 23, 237 BC and was completed during the reign of Pharaoh Ptolemy XII in 57 BC.

Edfu was the ancient Egyptian Tbot, or Atbo in Coptic, from which the modern name derives. When the Greeks arrived in the Ptolemaic era, the ancient god of Horus was united with the Greek god Apollo to form Horus-Apollo. Apollinopolis Magna was given the name of the city as a result, and it became the capital of the second nome (region) of Upper Egypt.

According to Osiris’ legend, the temple was built on the site of a battle for ancient Egypt‘s sovereignty between the falcon-headed god of protection and victory, Horus, and the god of the desert, war, and chaos, Seth. This is most likely why Horus was so well respected in this region.

The Temple of Edfu was dedicated to Horus, Hathor of Dendera, and their son, the young Harsomtus, “Uniter of the Two Lands,” and was built on the site of an older temple.

Long inscriptions on the exterior of the enclosure wall, notably near the north end of the east and west sides, recount the history of its construction and provide a description of the entire complex.

A Temple Built by Successors of Ptolemaic Pharaohs

The temple proper was built in 237 BC during the reign of Ptolemy II Euergetes I and finished in 212 BC by his successor, Philopator. The decorating of the walls with reliefs and inscriptions, which had been interrupted during Epiphanes’ troubled reign, was resumed in 176 BC by Philometor and completed in 147 BC under the reign of Euergetes II, precisely 90 years after the foundation stone was laid.

Euergetes II additionally constructed and decorated the huge entrance (finished in 122 BC). The courtyard with its colonnades, enclosure walls, and pylon were constructed during the reigns of Ptolemy IX Soter II and Ptolemy X Alexander I, but the pylon was not decorated with reliefs until the reign of Ptolemy XII Neos Dionysos, who finished building works in 57 BC.

The temple was left alone under the sand for hundreds of years after the arrival of Christianity during the closing days of the Roman Kingdom in 391 AD, when paganism was prohibited, until it was discovered again in 1860 AD by a French Egyptologist, Auguste Mariette.

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Temple of Edfu Description

Edfu Temple contains one of the most spectacular pylons of any Egyptian temple, standing 37 meters tall and carved with battle scenes depicting King Ptolemy VIII punishing his enemies in front of the god Horus. In addition, there is an open courtyard with columns with floral capitals. It is often referred to as the “court of offerings.” There is a hypostyle hall with 12 columns that support the roof.

The sanctuary at the end of this spectacular temple features a niche with a statue of the deity. There are 12 rooms around this sanctuary. The sanctuary’s walls are covered in religious scenes. Some rooms were designated for religious use.

The most noteworthy features of the temple are a nilometer, which was used to keep track of the level of the Nile River, as well as a chapel devoted to the goddess Nut. The temple’s tourist appeal stems from the various battle scenes depicted on its walls. The wall on the northern side of the court depicts Horus and Hathor’s marriage, which is celebrated twice a year, once in Temple of Edfu and once in Dendera temple.

It has a pylon built by Cleopatra‘s father in the first century BC. It leads to a peristyle court and, subsequently, to a hypostyle hall, which precedes the Horus sanctuary.

Temple of Edfu Architectural Elements

There are various aspects that distinguish the Temple of Edfu as an outstanding piece of art that blends the ancient Egyptian and ancient Greek architectural styles to create a magnificent piece of perfection that delivers a great archaeological wonder.

The Great Gate:

This is the temple’s main entrance, which is constructed of cedarwood.

The Pylon:

is made up of two towers, each with several rectangular niches. In front of the two towers, there are two sculptures of the god Horus.

The Large Courtyard:

On each side, there are two rows of columns. It is 46 meters long and 42 meters wide.

The First Waiting Room:

Its purpose was to deliver offerings to the gods.

The Second Waiting Room:

was dedicated to deity worship.

The Hall of the Great Columns:

is made up of 18 columns that are organized into rows of three columns each.

The Hall of the Small Columns:

This is a small room with 12 columns that have amazing carvings and ornamentation.

The Holy of Holies:

Only the monarch and the priest were allowed to enter, and it is regarded as the most sacred area in Temple of Edfu, which is surrounded by 10 rooms.

The Mammisi: The Birth House in Temple of Edfu:

The temple hosted the annual coronation festival as well as the divine birth and victory of Horus. Temple of Edfu was built in the New Kingdom architectural style (1570–1050 BC) and had a “Mamisi,” a Greek divine birth chamber at the west entrance that was 36 meters tall and held two granite Horus statues.

The Mammisi, which Ptolemy VIII Euergetes II constructed and Ptolemy IX Soter II decorated with reliefs, is located to the west of the entrance of the Temple of Horus.Various reliefs of Hathor of Dendera may be found in the main chamber on the right-hand wall, including Hathor suckling Horus, Hathor giving birth, and multiple Hathors playing musical instruments.

The Bottom Line

The Temple of Horus at Edfu is widely regarded as the most spectacular of all the Nile-side temples between Luxor and Aswan. It is an essential stop for all cruise ships that make the trip. So, when in Egypt, take a day tour to discover the amazing mysteries of Edfu’s vast and wonderfully preserved temple.

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Temple of Edfu: Your Questions Answered

What is the Temple of Edfu?

The Temple of Edfu is a well-preserved ancient Egyptian temple dedicated to Horus, the falcon-headed god. Built between 237 and 57 BC during the Ptolemaic period, it stands on the west bank of the Nile in Edfu.

Why is the temple significant?

The Temple of Edfu is significant because it’s one of the best-preserved shrines in Egypt. It provides crucial insights into the religion, architecture, and daily life of the Ptolemaic era.

Can visitors enter the temple?

Yes, visitors can explore the temple. It’s open to the public and features guided tours that detail its history and significance.

What are some key features of the temple?

The temple features a massive entrance pylon, intricate carvings, a large courtyard, and numerous hieroglyphic inscriptions. It’s known for the Festival Hall of Horus and sacred sanctuary.

Is there an entrance fee?

Yes, there’s an entrance fee for visitors. Prices may vary, so it’s best to verify current rates beforehand.

How do you get to the Temple of Edfu?

The temple is accessible by road or Nile cruise. Many visitors opt to travel from nearby cities like Luxor or Aswan, often as part of organized tours.

Is photography allowed inside?

Photography is generally allowed, but it’s advisable to check any restrictions on flash photography or specific areas where photos might be prohibited.

What are the visiting hours?

The temple typically opens from early morning until late afternoon. Times can vary with seasons, so checking in advance is a good idea.

Are there any nearby attractions?

Nearby, the Kom Ombo Temple and the city of Aswan offer more historical sites to explore. Many Nile cruises also include these destinations in their itineraries.