Luxor, Ancient capital on the Nile River in Upper Egypt
Luxor is a city on the Nile River in Upper Egypt, spreading along both banks of the river. Temples occupy the eastern shore, while the western shore, known as the Valley of the Kings, contains entrances to rock-cut royal tombs.
Between 1550 and 1070 BCE, Luxor, then called Thebes, served as the capital of the Egyptian Empire. Later rulers added new buildings and statues to the site over several centuries, altering the original layout.
Local craftsmen work in nearby souks using traditional methods to carve alabaster figures and paint papyrus scrolls, reproducing motifs that have been passed down through generations. The call to prayer echoes across the archaeological sites several times a day from the mosque built into the ancient temple complex.
Most archaeological sites lie within a few kilometers of each other, allowing visitors to see them in a single day. Local taxis, horse carriages, or organized tours provide transport between sites and ferry crossings over the Nile.
The Luxor Temple contains a mosque built during medieval times directly on top of the ancient Egyptian religious structure. The mosque sits inside the courtyard and was built on debris that accumulated over centuries, raising the original ground level.
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