People believe that the Temple of Horus in Edfu is the best preserved temple in Egypt. The desert sands that filled the area after pagan worship was banned helped keep the temple in good condition. It is the best example of a temple from ancient Egypt. When you go there, you get a complete picture of the other temples’ appearance. During the Greco-Roman era, it was built, but the builders were careful to preserve the shape of the real pharaohs of Egypt. The temple is for Horus, the son of Isis and Osiris, who was born for revenge. It is also one of the most atmospheric of the old buildings because its roof is still there.
Edfu Temple Location:
The Temple of Horus is located in the center of Edfu. Edfu is located in the center of the cities of Aswan and Luxor. Since about 3000 BC, people have lived and died in Edfu. It was the “home” and cult center of the falcon Horus Behdat, the ancient name of Edfu. However, the Temple of Horus we see today was built by the Ptolemies.
When was the temple of Edfu built, and who?
The building was started by Ptolemy III Euergetes and finished by Ptolemy XII Auletes in 57 BC. It was built on the site of an older and smaller temple dedicated to Horus, but this temple faced east-west rather than north-south like the new temple. To the east of the present temple is a ruined tower. Inscriptions show that it was built during Ramesses I, Seti I, and Ramesses II of the New Kingdom. Remains from an earlier building, the sarcophagus of Nectanebo II, are preserved in the inner sanctuary, which stands alone. On the other hand, the park sanctuary is surrounded by nine chapels.
What does Edfu Temple mean in terms of religion?
The Temple of Horus and Hathor in Edfu is the largest in Dendera. It was the place where many ceremonies related to Horus took place. Every year, Hathor traveled south from her temple at Dendera to visit Horus at Edfu. This was a great feast and pilgrimage because it celebrated their sacred marriage.
Description of Edfu Temple:
The Temple of Edfu is one of the most impressive temples in Egypt. It is 37 meters high and contains battle scenes showing King Ptolemy VIII killing his enemies in front of the god Horus. There is also an open courtyard with columns with flower-shaped tops. Subtraction Court is another name for it. There is a hall called the Hall of Columns. It has 12 columns supporting the roof. At the end of this beautiful temple is a sanctuary with a place where a statue of the deity is kept. There are 12 rooms around this safe place. In the sanctuary, there are many religious pictures on the walls. Some rooms were used for religious objects.
The most important part of the temple was the nilometer, which was used to measure the level of the Nile. There is also a tiny chapel dedicated to the goddess Nut, and many battle scenes are painted on the temple walls, making it a tourist attraction. The wall in the northern part of the courtyard shows the wedding of Horus and Hathor, which is celebrated twice a year, once at the Temple of Edfu and the other at the Dendera Temple. Cleopatra’s father built her edifice in the first century BC. It leads to a contemporary courtyard and hypostyle hall in front of the Shrine of Horus.
