The
site of Edfu contains the most complete
and best-preserved temple in Egypt, the
Ptolemaic Temple of Horus. This was constructed
between 237 BC and 57 BC on top of the
remains of earlier temples.
The
reliefs that cover the walls, columns,
and doorways
of the temple constitute an
extremely important source of information
about ancient Egyptian religious and political
thought. Among the most interesting of
these reliefs tell the story of Horus exacting
his revenge on Seth for the murder of his
father, Osiris, an event that was re-enacted
annually in the temple. Other reliefs recount
the stages of the temple’s construction,
and provide dates for the completion of
different building elements.
Objects
of note in the temple include a colossal
statue
of Horus as a falcon, which
stands at the entrance to the main temple
building, and a granite shrine (naos)
of Nectanebo II (c. 360-342 BCE); this
is
the oldest object in the temple and probably
belonged to an earlier building. It now
stands in the sanctuary. The temple complex
also includes the remains of a birth
house (mammisi) and the base of a pylon
belonging
to a temple of Ramesses III.
The
Horus temple was once part of a larger
settlement area that extended westwards
beyond the complex and flourished from
the Old Kingdom to the Greco-Roman
Period. Several cemeteries were also associated
with the settlement.
HOURS OF
OPERATION:
Daily, 9 AM - 5
PM
TICKET COST:
Egyptians: 2 LE
Foreigners: 40 LE
50% reduction for bearers of International Student ID Card
LOCATION:
Edfu is on the west bank of the Nile, about
115 km south of Luxor and 105 km north
of Aswan.
DIRECTIONS:
BY BOAT: Edfu is a popular stop along the
Nile for the cruise boats and can also
be reached by felucca. Though from the
docks, you will have to take a second form
of transportation - either a taxi or a
carriage.
BY
TRAIN: The train station is on the east
bank of the Nile, and is about
4 km from
the site. You will have to hire private transportation
to and from the station.
BY
BUS: The Upper Egypt Bus Co. runs buses
to and from Luxor
(10 LE) and Aswan (7 LE)
from Sharia Gumhiriyya.
BY
CARRIAGE: A popular choice to get to the
temple is the horse-drawn
carriage, or the
caleche. Be sure to take the same numbered
carriage on the return.
BY
TAXI: Within Edfu, ask for maabd Edfu.
From Luxor, a convoy
leaves for Edfu daily
at 7 am.
FACILITIES:
The entrance to the temple complex is lined
with kiosks selling souvenirs
to
tourists, and these are also found in the
stores along the Nile by the docks. Small
food kiosks sell the basics, and there are
a few cafés along the Nile. Edfu also
has a pharmacy, bank, and police office not
far from the temple.
The
site is difficult to access by wheelchair
because of the stone
floors.
CONTACT
INFO: Phone: 097\711716 |