Karnak Temple

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Why Karnak
is special

The Temple of Karnak in Luxor was the spiritual center of the Egyptians. It is enormous - the world's three largest cathedrals combined would fit into it.

Karnak

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Construction

It took millennia to build and enhance the massive Karnak Temple. However, most of the work on Karnak Temple was done by the pharaohs of the New Kingdom (1570-1100 BC).

Karnak's most imposing element

The 3,000-plus-year-old Great Hypostyle Hall inside the Temple of Amon-Ra amazed me. Consider:

Size
The Great Hypostyle room is larger than a football field and is easily one of the grandest spaces ever erected.

Columns
The Great Hypostyle's forest of 134 rocket-size columns (many still stand) dwarf Karnak Temple visitors.

Ambiance
These columns once supported a high stone-slab roof that kept light out, creating a darkish ambiance that added to the mystique of the ceremonial processions of pharaohs and high priests.

Another Karnak jewel

The Second Pylon (see photo) served as a pageantry gate leading to the Great Hypostyle Hall - and as a barricade to unauthorized mortals (only the elite could enter).

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