Medinet Habu is the Arabic name for the Mortuary Temple of Ramses III, a large complex, considered the second after Karnak temple in size and better preserved.
Medinet Habu temple is between the least visited of the major landmarks at Luxor, however, it deserves more attention than it gets.
This Temple is one considered of the biggest memorial temples in Egypt.
It measures 320 m in length (east to west) and about 200 m in width (north to south).
After Ramses III’s death, the ancient Egyptian built the Temple Of Medinet Habu to commemorate him, by orders of the current king himself.
Its design contains a huge mud-brick enclosure wall surrounds the temple.
This temple contains a huge gateway that looks like a Syrian fort and is decorated with reliefs show battle scenes depicting the king’s wars in Syria.
By the gate to the right side, there is a shrine belonging to the 18th Dynasty.
There is a vast-open court that leads to a large pylon, and has two towers decorated in battle and war scenes.
On one tower, you can see the king, wearing the shining red crown with his “Ka” or “double”, beating his enemies in front of Re-Horakhty.
On the other tower, there are scenes showing the king as he is represented with the red crown of Lower Egypt, beating his enemies in front of the god Amon Ra.
The oxen hunt is one of the most amazing reliefs engraved on the back of the southern tower.
It showcases Ramses III, leading his chariot and hunting wild oxen.
In these reliefs, you will notice that the sculptor was talented in showing the pain of the wounded animals.
The first open courtyard measures 42m long by 33m wide.
Its walls have reliefs with the battle scenes explaining the war against the Libyans, and the Syrians.
However, The second courtyard measures 42m long and 38m wide.
It was converted into a basilica during the period of the early Christian era.
But there are still some scenes and reliefs representing religious ceremonies, especially the festival of the gods Sokker (or Sokar) and Min.
Other reliefs represent the king, with the priests, making offerings to different deities.
The 1st Hypostyle is badly damaged, probably due to an earthquake in 27 B.C.
It once contained 24 columns in 6 rows, surrounded by 16 chapels split evenly.
The 1st Hypostyle is severely damaged, maybe because of an earthquake happened in 27 B.C.
once upon the time, The Temple Of Medinet Habu contained 24 columns arranged in 6 rows, surrounded by 16 chapels split evenly.
The four most important shrines on the right side’s were:
1- The first one, dedicated to King Ramses III,
2- The second chapel, which was dedicated to the god, Ptah.
3- The fourth chapel, which was dedicated for the boat of the god Sokker, and finally
4- Chapel number 7 which was dedicated to the sacred boat of the god Amon Ra.
Check our tours and enjoy your visit to Luxor:
1-TOUR TO DENDARA & ABYDOS TEMPLES FROM LUXOR
2- The east and west bank in Luxor