Virtual Egypt: The Biggest Egyptian Temple - Karnak

Step-by-Step Guide to Exploring the Great Temple of Amun-Ra in Karnak

1. Introduction to the Temple

• The Great Temple of Amun-Ra in Karnak, located in the ancient city of Thebes, is the grandest of all Egyptian temples.
• The temple is not built upon one complete plan but owes its size, disposition, and magnificence to the work of many kings.
• It is situated in an immense enclosure along with other ancillary temples, a sacred lake, and surrounded by a 9-meter thick wall.
• The temple is connected by an avenue of sphinxes with the temple of Luxor, showcasing a well-defined axis and procession.

2. Entrance and Sphinx Avenue

• The procession towards the temple begins before entering the main gate, with an avenue lined with sphinxes and obelisks.
• Obelisks, made of a single piece of stone, were commemorative landmarks for pharaohs.
• Colossal statues behind the obelisks enforce the notion of procession and the temple's axis.

3. Pylons and Courtyards

• The gate in Egyptian temples, called a pylon, defines the edge of a precinct.
• The Temple of Amun Ra features six pairs of pylons added by successive rulers, leading to various courts and halls.
• The main pylon leads to a great courtyard with rows of columns, enforcing the temple's axis and procession.

4. The Great Hypostyle Hall

• Beyond the courtyard lies the second pylon, granting entrance to the vast hypostyle hall built by Seti I and Ramesses II.
• The hypostyle hall is a covered architectural enclosure supported by rows of large columns closely placed together, resembling a forest of columns.
• The hall features 134 columns in 16 rows, with the central avenues taller to admit light through clerestory windows.

5. Exploration of the Temple

• The columns in the hypostyle hall are close together due to the limitations of spanning stone distances.
• The hall's columns are adorned with inscriptions and reliefs in color, praising the royal personages and gods to whom it was dedicated.
• Explore further to discover major features like the obelisk of Hatshepsut and the sanctuary of the temple where the statue of Amun was placed.

6. Temple of Khonsu and Organizational Ideas

• Visit the temple of Khonsu located within the Amon Ra complex to observe the establishment of hierarchy through spatial organization.
• The telescoping scale of spaces within the temple enforces a sense of exclusivity and hierarchy.
• The progression through increasingly darker and smaller rooms culminates in the sanctuary, creating a sacred and silent atmosphere.

7. Conclusion

• Experience the overwhelming scale and grandeur of Egyptian architecture at the Great Temple of Amun-Ra in Karnak, evoking a sense of the sublime.
• Appreciate the intricate design, symbolic elements, and architectural features that make this temple a remarkable historical and cultural site.

By following these steps, you can immerse yourself in the rich history and architectural marvels of the Great Temple of Amun-Ra in Karnak.