Edfu: On the Way to the Ptolemaic Temple
We left our ship about 7 a.m. to head to the Ptolemaic Temple in Edfu. The following are scenes along the way. The horse and carriage rides were for the tourists. The first shops were along the Corniche.
Edfu: On the Way to the Ptolemaic Temple
Edfu: On the Way to the Ptolemaic Temple
This is where we started to see trash along the side of the roads. We saw it all through Egypt from here. It did offend our Western sensibilities and we wondered why people weren’t hired to pick it up. However, all the tourist sites were exceptionally clean.
Edfu: On the Way to the Ptolemaic Temple
Edfu: On the Way to the Ptolemaic Temple
I imagine that this banner is no longer there.
Edfu: On the Way to the Ptolemaic Temple
Edfu: On the Way to the Ptolemaic Temple
Edfu: On the Way to the Ptolemaic Temple
Edfu: On the Way to the Ptolemaic Temple
Edfu: On the Way to the Ptolemaic Temple
Edfu: On the Way to the Ptolemaic Temple
For sale at a store.
Edfu: On the Way to the Ptolemaic Temple
Edfu: On the Way to the Ptolemaic Temple
Cafe. You can see the water pipes lined up.
Edfu: On the Way to the Ptolemaic Temple
Edfu: On the Way to the Ptolemaic Temple
Minaret.
Edfu: On the Way to the Ptolemaic Temple
Edfu: On the Way to the Ptolemaic Temple
Sidewalk vendors.
Edfu: On the Way to the Ptolemaic Temple
Edfu: On the Way to the Ptolemaic Temple
Another sidewalk vendor.
Edfu: On the Way to the Ptolemaic Temple
Edfu: On the Way to the Ptolemaic Temple
A men–only cafe.
Edfu: On the Way to the Ptolemaic Temple
On the Grounds of the Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
All quiet at the shopping mall. Tourists only have to walk through the shopping gauntlet on their way out.
On the Grounds of the Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
We are some of the first tourists here.
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
Ruins on the hill to the left. Dogs and cats make their homes at many of the temples.
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
Walking toward the columns on the left.
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
Columns.
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
The area of interest is the wall between the columns.
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
Here there are some reliefs with the original colors on them.
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
Closer–up.
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
More ruins in front of the main temple.
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu is the second largest temple in Egypt and is considered the best preserved of all the temples. It was almost completely covered by sand when it was excavated in the 1860s, which helped keep it in good condition. The temple was built between 57 and 37 BC and was dedicated to the falcon god Horus. It is the site of the mythological battle between Horus and Seth (Seth had killed Horus’ father Osiris and Horus avenged him).
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
Reliefs on the left of the pylon of the Pharaoh fighting his enemies.
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
Closer–up.
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
Figure on the bottom left.
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
The gate.
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
Statue of Horus on the left of the gate.
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
A different statue of Horus on the right of the gate.
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
The forecourt through the gate.
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
The columns on the left and right have lotus blossoms on their tops. The middle column’s top represents papyrus.
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
Statue of Horus in the forecourt.
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
Another statue of Horus in the forecourt.
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
Front view of Horus.
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
Wall figures.
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
Entering the vestibule.
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
Columns.
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
Another view of the massive columns.
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
Another view.
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
On a wall.
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
I don’t think we have seen these figures before.
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
A narrow passageway––not much room here for the ancient artists to work.
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
Gargoyle on the wall.
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
Figures in a boat. We haven’t seen this before either.
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
View from the forecourt to the outside.
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
Closer–up.
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
So many tourists. Ruins of buildings on the hill.
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
Another building in the outer courtyard.
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
The birth house of Horus. It looks like a Roman/Greek temple.
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
A small Roman sphinx made of sandstone near the refreshment stand.
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
The sphinx from the side.
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
Sign outside the visitor’s center.
The Ptolemaic Temple at Edfu
The Egyptian Shopping Gauntlet
At almost all the tourists sites, after you have marveled at what you have just seen, you are required to go through the Egyptian shopping gauntlet.
The Egyptian Shopping Gauntlet
The Egyptian Shopping Gauntlet
I made it through without buying anything and then I escaped to the safety of the bus and took some photos.
The Egyptian Shopping Gauntlet
The Egyptian Shopping Gauntlet
Close–up of one of the stores.
The Egyptian Shopping Gauntlet
The Egyptian Shopping Gauntlet
Close–up of another store.
The Egyptian Shopping Gauntlet
The Egyptian Shopping Gauntlet
The vendors would even follow you to your bus. However, if you didn’t take along a camera or if you weren’t allowed to take photos at a site, these postcards were quite a buy at $1 U.S.
The Egyptian Shopping Gauntlet
From the Temple Back to the Boat
Street scene.
From the Temple Back to the Boat
From the Temple Back to the Boat
Street scene.
From the Temple Back to the Boat
From the Temple Back to the Boat
Street scene.
From the Temple Back to the Boat
From the Temple Back to the Boat
Sidewalk food vendor.
From the Temple Back to the Boat
From the Temple Back to the Boat
Colorful buildings.
From the Temple Back to the Boat
From the Temple Back to the Boat
Street scene.
From the Temple Back to the Boat
From the Temple Back to the Boat
Street scene.
From the Temple Back to the Boat
From the Temple Back to the Boat
Sidewalk cafe.
From the Temple Back to the Boat
From the Temple Back to the Boat
Street food vendors.
From the Temple Back to the Boat
From the Temple Back to the Boat
Street scene.
From the Temple Back to the Boat
From the Temple Back to the Boat
Street scene.
From the Temple Back to the Boat
Back at the Corniche (See Slide Shows of Nile River Cruise)
Back on the Corniche to reboard our boat. This is not a great photo but it shows how one boat docks onto another boat. I think we were docked on just one other boat at Edfu. From Edfu, we sailed on the Nile to Luxor––see the slide shows of our Nile River cruise: Go to Slide Shows, Egypt, Nile River Cruise–1, –2, and –3.
