The Wonders of Ancient Egypt
The recent contest to create a list of the New Seven Wonders of the World gave special recognition to the Great Pyramids, who were one of the original seven wonders listed by ancient historian Herodotus. If you visit Egypt today, there are many wonders for you to explore.
Kom Ombo Temple: The Temple of Kom Ombo is an unusual double temple built during the Ptolemaic dynasty in the Egyptian town of Kom Ombo. The building is unique because its ‘double’ design meant that there were courts, halls, sanctuaries and rooms duplicated for two sets of gods. The southern half of the temple was dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek, god of fertility and creator of the world with Hathor and Khonsu. The northern part of the temple was dedicated to the falcon god Haroeris. The temple is atypical because everything is perfectly symmetrical along the main axis.
Edfu Temple: The Temple of Edfu is an ancient Egyptian temple located on the west bank of the Nile in the city of Edfu which was known in Greco-Roman times as Apollonopolis Magna, after the chief god Horus-Apollo. It is the second largest temple in Egypt after Karnak and one of the best preserved. The temple, dedicated to the falcon god Horus, was built in the Greek period between 237 and 57 BC. The inscriptions on its walls provide important information on language, myth and religion during the Greco-Roman period in Egypt.
The Mosque of Muhammad Ali: The Alabaster Mosque is situated in the Citadel of Cairo and commissioned by Muhammad Ali Pasha between 1830 and 1848. Situated on the summit of the citadel the mosque, the largest to be built in the first half of the 19th century and is most visible mosque in Cairo. The mosque, along with the citadel, are the landmarks and big tourist attractions in Cairo. Its beauty rivals those of European cathedrals.
Temple of Karnak: Karnak a vast complex of ruined temples, pillars and other buildings. It is located near Luxor in Egypt. It was the most holy place in Ancient Egypt, the main place of worship of the Theban Triad with Amun as its head. It is the largest temple or temple complex in all of Egypt.
The Sphinx: Beneath the shadow of the Great Pyramid lies the mysterious Sphinx. Buried by sand over the years, the Sphinx was re-discovered by European in the 19th Century. It is the largest monumental sculpture of antiquity in the world today. It can be visited as part of any trip to the Pyramids when in Cairo.