Luxor in Egypt

Luxor is sometimes referred to as the world’s largest open air museum, which is located in Egypt. It is one of the most sought after destinations for attractions for those taking one of the Egypt trips. The area has attracted tourists dating back to ancient times of the Dynasties of the Greek and Roman periods. People from all parts of the world continue to find Luxor to be a place of great interest.

There are actually three areas that people consider part of Luxor. The first is the City of Luxor that is on the east side of the Nile River. The next area is the town of Karnak, which is just north of Luxor and lastly, the city of Thebes, also called Waset, which is on the west side of the Nile River across from Luxor.

Once called Thebes, Luxor is directly across from the Nile River. The ruins of the temple of historic Egypt lie here, along with the temples, tombs and monuments of that time. Once the capital of Egypt, Luxor was also the worship point of the god Amon-Ra. The city began to gain importance in the 11th Dynasty, growing quickly into a renowned city known for its luxury and elevated social status. Political knowledge, art, religious, ideals and wisdom were all involved in this growing city.

People from all over the world would visit Thebes – the Hittites, Canaanites, Babylonians, Phoenicians, and Minoans. During the Late Period, Thebes lost much of its political and military importance. However, because it was the focal point of worship to the god of the Egyptians, it remained respected and popular among the people.

The city was attacked by Assurbanial, emperor of Assyria, and a Libyan price was placed on the throne. Thebes was mostly in ruins until Alexander the Great arrived for a religious feast, giving the city a name once again. Thebes remained popular for those interested in spiritual matters, and some of the monks of the Roman Empire founded monasteries there.

Today, the city of Luxor has nearly 150,000 people and depends upon tourism for its financial stability. It has a unique government, making it more autonomous than other Egyptian cities. Some buildings in the city are structured to look like constructions from the time of the Pharaohs, such as a railway station, police station and financial institution. The Luxor Museum is small but has relics that will help you understand some of the other attractions in the area. The Mummification Museum is located across from the Mina Palace Hotel. At this museum, you can learn everything you ever wanted to know about mummies.

When taking one of the Luxor tours, the Egypt tour guide will take you through the city, following the Nile River. The temples along the way are most fascinating, giving one a clear picture of Egyptian architecture and culture. Connecting many of the buildings are long stone streets call dromos, which date back to the early Egyptian period. The city is most fascinating, taking one back to a time and place from long ago.

The city of Luxor

, with its temples and sphinxes, helps one realize the importance and magnificence of this amazing time in history.