Edfu Temple, Aswan Governorate, Egypt

The Temple of Edfu, also known as the Temple of Horus, is an ancient Egyptian temple located on the west bank of the Nile River in the city of Edfu, in present-day Egypt.

Edfu Temple: Adfo, Edfo, Aswan Governorate 1291234, Egypt
Date Picture Taken: February, 2024

I have found a tour that takes people from Aswan to Luxor and includes visits to the Kom Ombo Temple and Edfu temples along the way. The Edfu temple, which is dedicated to the falcon-headed god Horus, is the second temple visited after the Kom Ombo Temple. This temple is one of the best-preserved ancient Egyptian temples and is definitely worth a visit.

While driving into Edfu City, the initial part of the video is out of focus.

The Edfu Temple

There is a restaurant located next to the temple.

The redshirt person in front is my tour guide, whom I met in the temple.

The entrance of each Egyptian temple features a grand double-towered pylon complete with flagpoles and pennants. The Kom Ombo Temple, which I mentioned in a previous blog, also had this feature but has since been destroyed.

The construction of the Temple of Edfu began in the Ptolemaic period (237 BCE to 57 BCE) and was completed during the Roman period. The temple was built on the site of an earlier temple dating back to the New Kingdom.

The entrance to the Temple of Edfu is marked by two large pylons, massive gateways with impressive reliefs and inscriptions depicting the victories of Horus over his enemies.

The main purpose of the temple is to honor the god Horus, the falcon-headed deity associated with kingship and the sky. The temple served as a focal point for the worship of Horus and also played a role in the annual Feast of Horus.

The temple is built in the traditional Egyptian architectural style with a pylon entrance, a courtyard, a hypostyle hall, and a sanctuary. The reliefs and inscriptions on the walls depict various scenes from Egyptian mythology and religious rituals.

After passing through the pylons, visitors enter a large courtyard surrounded by colonnades with statues of Horus. The courtyard was used for various ceremonies and rituals.

Turned around and looked back

Walked into the building

Beyond the courtyard is the hypostyle hall, a large hall with a roof supported by columns. The walls of the hall are adorned with detailed carvings and reliefs illustrating religious scenes and events.

Walked toward the sanctuary

There is a room on the left side with stairs leading to the top of the temple.

To the top of the temple

Came back to the pillars room

Like the room on the left, there is another room on the right side with stairs leading to the top of the temple.

The entrance side

The sanctuary.  At the rear of the temple is the sanctuary, which houses the sacred statue of Horus. Only priests were allowed into the sanctuary.

Going out to the building through a side door

Walked toward the front of the  temple through a narrow side road

Came back to the inner temple yard

Looked back at the inner temple building

The guide allowed me some free time to explore the temple, so I decided to go back inside.

Left side

Right side

I was finished looking for the second time, so I proceeded to walk back towards the entrance.

And finally I arrived at the hotel in Luxor next to the Nile River.