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  • Things to Do in Alexandria

    History of Alexandria Governorate

    Alexandria Governorate is the bride of the Mediterranean and the second capital of Egypt. It was the ancient capital founded by Alexander the Great in 332 BC and was named after him, and the city of Alexandria was the capital of the Egyptian country throughout the Ptolemies, Romans and Byzantines until the Arab conquest in 640 AD.

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    Muhamed Ali Palace in Shubra

    Muhammad Ali Pasha wanted to establish and document his era with a ruling house that would be a turning point between a bygone era and a new era that he planned to be long. So he chose a site on the banks of the Nile in the Shubra area, with an area of 70 acres, extending from the banks of the Nile to Birkat al-Hajj, after he had seized several villages and fiefdoms to build his palace.

  • Abdeen Palace Museum

    Abdeen Palace Museum - Cairo

    Abdeen Palace is considered one of the rare historical masterpieces in terms of form and content, as it reflects the luxury and high taste in which the palace was built. It is one of the most important palaces built by the Muhammad Ali Pasha family for Egypt.

  • Tomb of Al-Shatby

    The Cemetery of Shatby

    Al-Shatby Cemetery is the oldest existing cemetery in Alexandria dating back to the hellenistic age, and it also remains the oldest archaeological site within the city up to date. Alexandria is now regarded as a modern city because earthquakes in the past buried the ancient city's features and caused another city to be built on top of it until it reached its current size.

  • Emperor Diocletianus _ Roman

    Roman Emperor Diocletian | Biography

    Emperor Diocletian, or Diocletianus, is one of the most famous Roman emperors in the history of the Roman Empire, and he ruled the Roman Empire from November 20, 284 AD until May 1, 305 AD. This emperor was known by many names, including “Diocles” - the name “Diocletianus” was chosen after he ascended the throne and took for himself a crown (a wide band studded with pearls), robes of silk and gold, and shoes studded with precious stones.

  • palatine Gate _ Italy

    Biography of Roman Emperor Trajan

    The greatest of the Roman emperors was Emperor Trajan, the second of the Five Good Emperors, who ruled from 96 to 117 AD. One of the Roman Emperors, Marcus Pius Nerva Traianus (53–117 AD), ruled over the enormous Roman Empire between 98 and 117 AD. At the height of the Roman Empire, he is credited for its expansion.

Luxor Egypt

Information about Colossi of Memnon

  • 05 16, 2023

The Colossal Statues of Amenhotep III, located in Luxor, Egypt, are renowned as the Colossi of Memnon. These remarkable statues represent the Pharaoh Amenhotep III, who reigned during the 18th Dynasty and was often referred to as Amenhotep the Magnificent. His reign marked a period of unprecedented prosperity and artistic achievement in Egypt, elevating the kingdom to new heights of economic and cultural grandeur.

The Colossi of Memnon are situated in Luxor, where they stand as monumental representations of King Amenhotep III, depicted seated with his hands resting on his knees, gazing eastward towards the Nile River. Accompanying him are two smaller figures representing his wife, Queen Tiye, and his mother, Mutemwiya, positioned at the front of his throne. Additionally, a depiction of Hapi, the Nile god, is intricately carved into the side panels.

Constructed from massive blocks of quartzite sandstone sourced from the Red Mountain near Cairo, these statues were transported over a distance of 675 kilometers to Thebes, now known as Luxor. The weight of the stones posed significant challenges during transportation, and it is believed that later engineers utilized blocks quarried from Edfu in northern Aswan to restore the northern statue.

Although the two colossal statues are in a state of disrepair, they remain an essential attraction for visitors to Luxor, often included in various Egypt travel packages or day tours. A visit to these magnificent twin statues is highly recommended for anyone exploring the region.

While the statues exhibit a striking resemblance, they possess subtle differences in details and inscriptions. They were strategically placed to serve as guardians at the entrance of Amenhotep’s mortuary temple, which he constructed to facilitate worship both during his life and after his passing. The mortuary temple of Amenhotep III was once a grand structure, now largely in ruins.

The two statues exhibit a striking resemblance; however, they possess subtle differences in their details and inscriptions. They were strategically placed to serve as sentinels at the entrance of Amenhotep’s mortuary temple, which the Pharaoh commissioned for worship both during his life and after his passing. The mortuary temple of Amenhotep III was renowned for being the largest and most expansive of its era, surpassing even the Karnak Temple, covering an impressive area of 35 hectares (86 acres).

Luxor, a city of significant historical importance in Egypt, boasts a wealth of Pharaonic monuments that reflect the grandeur of ancient Egyptian civilization from millennia ago. Among these historical treasures are the two statues of gratitude. A visit to Egypt will allow you to explore their remarkable features firsthand.

For those interested in Howard Carter's House, the discoverer of King Tutankhamun's tomb, a visit to this site offers a glimpse into life in ancient Egypt and an appreciation for its remarkable legacy.

 The two statues are remarkably similar in appearance, yet they are distinguished by minor details and inscriptions. Positioned at this location, they serve as protectors of the entrance to Amenhotep’s mortuary temple, which the Pharaoh built for the purpose of worship both during his lifetime and after his death. The mortuary temple of Amenhotep III was celebrated as the largest and most extensive of its time, even outshining the Karnak Temple, with a total area of 35 hectares (86 acres).

Luxor, one of Egypt's key tourist destinations, is home to numerous Pharaonic monuments that are emblematic of the ancient Egyptian civilization that thrived thousands of years ago. Among these monuments are the two statues of gratitude. A journey to Egypt will allow you to witness their distinctive features in person.

If you are curious about Howard Carter's House, the individual responsible for the discovery of King Tutankhamun's tomb, visiting this location will provide insight into the experience of living in ancient Egypt and the magnificence of that era.

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Egypt Tours FAQ

Read top Egypt tours FAQs

The Colossi of Memnon are distinctive because of their size and age. They are some of the oldest remaining ancient structures and among the biggest statues ever made in ancient Egypt. They were constructed almost 3,000 years ago. They are also among the few surviving instances of enormous statues from ancient Egypt.

The Colossi of Memnon gained their fame due to an ancient phenomenon. During the Roman period, the statues emitted a mysterious sound at dawn, which was attributed to the mourning of Memnon, a hero of Greek mythology. This phenomenon ceased after an earthquake damaged one of the statues.

The Colossi of Memnon are two massive stone statues located on the west bank of the Nile River near Luxor, Egypt. They depict Pharaoh Amenhotep III and were originally part of his mortuary temple complex, which was built during the 14th century BCE. The statues are named after Memnon, a hero from Greek mythology.

The Statues of Memnon, or the two giants of Memnon, are two huge statues, created around 1350 BC, which are all that remains of a temple in memory of the pharaoh (Amenhotep III), located in Western Thebes, Egypt. They are of King Amenhotep III, one of the kings of the Eighteenth Dynasty, the most powerful dynasty in ancient Egyptian history.

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