City of Luxor
Finally we arrive in Luxor, the boat docks to the ledge in front of the Museum of Ancient Egyptian art.
A gem, the ancient Egyptian art museum. His visit is a must prior to that of the surrounding temples. The statues are perfectly informed, appear out of the mists of time, allow us to imagine the wealth of temples.Egyptian statuary reaches its perfection, from classicism cold, impersonal and timeless Middle Kingdom to the expressionism of the New Kingdom or under Amenhotep IV, statues finally come to life, character and humanity. Luxor and Karnak, Luxor or Karnak, in what order do the visits?
The dilemma will be resolved quickly. Luxor Temple is closer to the boat, smaller and as the day declines already, I chose to start with this site. Brought under Amenhotep III (fourteenth century BC. J.-C.) and Ramses II (thirteenth century BC. J.-C.), the Temple of Luxor does used it only once a year when the statues of the gods Theban were out of the temple of Amun at Karnak to celebrate Opet, the New Year holiday. the procession then borrowed the dromos, long triumphal way 2.5km lined say 700 sphinx human head, today largely buried beneath the new city.
The dromos reappears just in time to welcome visitors at the entrance of the site and support the feet of the impressive tower of Ramses II guarded by three giants of the pharaoh. The Paris obelisk must feel really alone since he knows that he will never join his alter ego Egyptian. In 1980, France has indeed renounced this gift from Mohammed Ali. 1831 but it is still! The vast courtyard of Ramses II is dominated by the minaret of the mosque Abu el-Haggag. Optical illusion, mirage of history, power of faith, I know, but the mosque appears suspended in the air carried by the millennia shaped columns papyrus. All over the walls, scenes recount the progress of the Opet festival, the procession of solar boats, complicated and sumptuous ritual linked to the ceremony, one time of year or the people could see the statues of the three Theban gods Amun, Mut and Monthou. Unconsciously, my feet are heavy and hard on the stones and I suddenly realize why. In 1989, an American archaeological mission from probing the foundations in the court of Amenhotep III was discovered an underground hiding containing twenty extraordinary statues. I was hoping to repeat the feat in stamping his foot, dreaming of a clear harbinger of his secret rooms and hidden treasures that suddenly shoot out of the ground.Ridiculous, I admit, but how to prevent?
The dilemma will be resolved quickly. Luxor Temple is closer to the boat, smaller and as the day declines already, I chose to start with this site. Brought under Amenhotep III (fourteenth century BC. J.-C.) and Ramses II (thirteenth century BC. J.-C.), the Temple of Luxor does used it only once a year when the statues of the gods Theban were out of the temple of Amun at Karnak to celebrate Opet, the New Year holiday. the procession then borrowed the dromos, long triumphal way 2.5km lined say 700 sphinx human head, today largely buried beneath the new city.
The dromos reappears just in time to welcome visitors at the entrance of the site and support the feet of the impressive tower of Ramses II guarded by three giants of the pharaoh. The Paris obelisk must feel really alone since he knows that he will never join his alter ego Egyptian. In 1980, France has indeed renounced this gift from Mohammed Ali. 1831 but it is still! The vast courtyard of Ramses II is dominated by the minaret of the mosque Abu el-Haggag. Optical illusion, mirage of history, power of faith, I know, but the mosque appears suspended in the air carried by the millennia shaped columns papyrus. All over the walls, scenes recount the progress of the Opet festival, the procession of solar boats, complicated and sumptuous ritual linked to the ceremony, one time of year or the people could see the statues of the three Theban gods Amun, Mut and Monthou. Unconsciously, my feet are heavy and hard on the stones and I suddenly realize why. In 1989, an American archaeological mission from probing the foundations in the court of Amenhotep III was discovered an underground hiding containing twenty extraordinary statues. I was hoping to repeat the feat in stamping his foot, dreaming of a clear harbinger of his secret rooms and hidden treasures that suddenly shoot out of the ground.Ridiculous, I admit, but how to prevent?
How many extraordinary discoveries were the result of chance? In the oasis of Baharîya, a donkey gets a foot in a hole and hundreds of mummies appear. In the Valley of the Kings, a worker scans the rubble and the steps of the tomb of Tutankhamen arise from oblivion. Hope is crazy and exhilarating play. The hall of the birth of Amenhotep III sweeps these childish dreams. On the walls reveals the secret alchemy that presides at the birth of the pharaohs. A galaxy of gods is requested. Amon, Thoth, Thoueris, Bes and Hathor are in the game but Khnum is central to everything. It was he who, on his potter's wheel, shaping the future pharaoh. Clay, again and again. Night fell unveiling another site.The game lighting has changed the outlook, unveiled details unnoticed past. The metamorphosis is surprising. A new visit is required. Back at the boat, discussions are far from the Egyptian pantheon. I went through the souk and like everyone else I succumbed to the temptation. I am proud of my spice sachets and my cups of blown glass, negotiated on any property at best bitter moult palaver and stratagems force.
Cruel disillusion. " How many ? ", " You are crazy ! I have had them for much less! "" You're done you have! "" Ah, my poor, next time come with me. " are just some examples of these cultural exchanges high fly that will occupy most of my Theban nights. But what a joke. The human soul is literally put a cloud in these crucial moments. There are those that border apoplexy have paid more than others, sadists who remit a layer type "and besides it's fake," the champions who have purchased any "cheaper than free" the farsighted who took the opportunity to buy gifts next Christmas, who resigned anyway know they will roll and indifferent that annoy all the world remembering that this vain agitation represents the final few cents euros. Links are forged, teams are formed, "tomorrow, ah tomorrow, he will see what he will see this merchant."
The competition is launched.
Cruel disillusion. " How many ? ", " You are crazy ! I have had them for much less! "" You're done you have! "" Ah, my poor, next time come with me. " are just some examples of these cultural exchanges high fly that will occupy most of my Theban nights. But what a joke. The human soul is literally put a cloud in these crucial moments. There are those that border apoplexy have paid more than others, sadists who remit a layer type "and besides it's fake," the champions who have purchased any "cheaper than free" the farsighted who took the opportunity to buy gifts next Christmas, who resigned anyway know they will roll and indifferent that annoy all the world remembering that this vain agitation represents the final few cents euros. Links are forged, teams are formed, "tomorrow, ah tomorrow, he will see what he will see this merchant."
The competition is launched.
Translator: http://www.visite-egypte.com/