Temple of Karnak

Standing in front of Karnak Temple, the largest temple in the whole world.

The largest temple in all of Egypt, actually, it is the largest temple in the whole world,  Karnak is unlike anything I have ever seen.  The Temple of Karnak started being built in the Middle Kingdom (Ancient Egypt had three main periods:  the Old Kingdom, the Middle Kingdom and the New Kingdom, all in that order) and it was still being added to 1300 years later.

A statue of Ramses II in the Great Hall.

Temples were not used as residences, all Egyptians, even the Pharaoh, lived in houses made out of mud brick.  They believed that since life was temporary, their homes should be temporary too.   Temples were made out of stone and marble because they were meant to last forever, just like they believed the afterlife would.  Temples in Egypt were dedicated to gods and used as a spiritual centre.  Karnak is dedicated to the god Amun and it was used daily in special celebrations by the Pharaoh and his priests.

The ram-headed sphinxes all in a row.

The temple is divided into several different areas.  Before entering the temple you must walk down a processional path lined with ram-headed sphinxes then pass through a gate in the first wall.  The wall towers over you and is 45m high.  Once inside the temple you will walk through a Great Court and then enter into the Great Hypostyle Hall.  This hall contains over 100 pillars, each one decorated beautifully with images of gods, pharaohs and hieroglyphics.  Originally the entire temple would have been brightly painted a rainbow of colours.  With the temple being this detailed no wonder it took over 1000 years to finish.

Look at the carvings on each of the pillars.  Each one is completely covered from top to bottom.