Egypt has long been an incredibly enticing destination for history-savvy tourists around the world. The grand structures of the pyramids and sphinx continue to make the country unique and iconic. Due to the locations of the most famous landmarks, Cairo is, naturally, the go-to landing spot for visitors. Here, however, we’re looking further down the Nile to Edfu and its incredible offering.
An Ancient City Dedicated to Horus
Source: Pixabay
Easily one of the most enduring gods of Ancient Egyptian myth is Horus. His iconic aesthetic and the story of his clash with Set have stood the test of time. This has been captured in Horus’ place in modern media. You can look back to the ominous guards in the original Stargate film as particularly striking renditions, even in the sci-fi setting.
Later, we got a nod to Horus with the Sake Falcon used in The Mummy, and then Nikolaj Coster-Waldau played him in Gods of Egypt. The character has even shifted from film to online gaming. In Eye of Horus, it’s all about finding these sacred symbols within the ancient tomb. The game’s become so popular, partially because of its theme and ties to Horus, that it’s a big selling point behind the free spins no deposit offer.
Arguably, the presence of Horus is now greater than those who the Great Pyramid and the Sphinx were built to honour. The city of Edfu and its mind-blowing temple were once dedicated to this grand deity. Horus, the falcon-headed god of kingship, the sun, and sky, was one of the primary gods of the day, as the grandeur of this temple would suggest.
While there are Horus-dedicated sites found across modern-day Egypt, Edfu is where you’ll find the greatest lasting dedication to the revered god. The Temple of Horus is built on an earlier venue created in the 18th dynasty. In 237 BCE, Ptolemy III Euergetes began construction on this new build. However, due to frequent nationalistic revolts in the Upper Egypt region, it took until 57 BCE under Ptolemy XI for the incredible building to be finished.
From the Temple to Modern Edfu
Source: Unsplash
The original temple was draw enough for ancient Edfu, but the new temple that stands today took its place among the most religious members of the kingdoms to a new level. The sheer reverence for the deity and the building are a huge part of why it still stands in such a well-preserved state to this day. On the walls, inscriptions detailing the religion, processes behind its construction, and the language remain integral to our understanding of the time.
Naturally, the Temple of Horus is the biggest draw of Edfu, but more ancient sites dotted in and around the city continue to offer insights into ancient times. The Gebel el-Silsila is a quarry that shows how much of the materials for the temple were sourced and brought to the main sites. Further north, you can find the El-Kab tombs and the old settlement dedicated to Nekbet, the vulture goddess. Plus, there’s a small step pyramid to the south.
The importance of Edfu in ancient times is showcased by the incredible Temple of Horus. Being so close to the integral River Nile and being a rich area for natural resources, it became a top destination for major ceremonies and events staged by the ruler of the day. Now, it stands as one of the most impressive sites of Ancient Egypt and is well worth the many hours of extra travel south of the capital.