Edfu Temple
The Edfu Temple, also known as the Temple of Horus at Edfu, is one of the best-preserved ancient Egyptian temples. Located in the city of Edfu, on the west bank of the Nile River between Luxor and Aswan, it was built during the Ptolemaic period between 237 and 57 BCE.
The great temple of Horus
The temple is dedicated to the falcon-headed god Horus, one of the most significant deities in the ancient Egyptian pantheon. It is the largest temple dedicated to Horus and the second-largest in Egypt after Karnak. Its excellent state of preservation provides valuable insights into ancient Egyptian temple architecture and religious practices.
Walls that record their own construction
The inscriptions on the walls provide detailed information about the temple’s construction, religious rituals, and the mythology surrounding Horus. These texts are also a crucial source of knowledge about the Ptolemaic period. Along the enclosure wall they tell of the conflict between Horus and his rival Seth.
After more than two thousand years, the falcon of Horus still guards his temple, its roof still in place.
The reunion of Horus and Hathor
Each year the statue of Hathor traveled from her temple at Dendera to Edfu for the Festival of the Beautiful Meeting, where she was reunited with Horus. A birth house, or mammisi, stands in front of the temple and celebrates the birth of the divine child.
- Dedicated to
- Horus
- Period
- Ptolemaic
- Built
- 237–57 BCE
- Location
- West bank
Visit on these journeys
A scheduled visit on day 3 of the Luxor departures; optional on Ben’s Dahabeya between Esna and Aswan.
