The ancient Egyptians knew the temple of Karnak as Ipet-isut (most select of places). It is actually a city of temples built over 2000 years ago, dedicated to the Theben triad of Amun, Mut and Khonsu.

It is indeed the most select of places, as it overshadows many of the wonders of the modern world with its still obviously amazing architecture and decorations. No wonder that the ancient Egyptian population believed it to be the place of the gods.

Temple of Karnak from gstatic.com

The temple of Karnak is the largest religious building ever constructed and a famous place of pilgrimage for nearly 4,000 years. Nowadays, it also became a major touristic attraction. It covers about 200 acres 1.5km by 0.8km, out of which the area of the sacred enclosure of Amun alone is 61 acres and would hold ten average European cathedrals.

The surface of the great temple at the heart of Karnak could actually cover the surface of St Peter’s, Milan and Notre Dame Cathedrals altogether. The Hypostyle hall has 54,000 square feet, 134 columns and is the largest room of any religious building in the world. In addition to the main sanctuary, the temple includes several smaller temples and a vast sacred lake.

The temple of Karnak is considered the home of the god Amun. An insignificant local god, he was first represented as a goose and later as a ram, until the 12th dynasty when Thebes became the capital of Egypt, and at the height of his power he was shown as a human with a head dress of feathers, the only common treat with the goose of the beginnings.

Temple Of Karnak from gstatic.com

Due to the fact that in ancient times wars were considered contests between gods, the deity subduing and replacing another, the victorious god and its people grew in strength. Thus, with the help of Thutmose III and various other New Kingdom kings, Amun became the first supreme god of the known world and was hailed as God of gods.

Unlike most other gods Amun had no legends or miracles to impress his worshipers and seemed to be closer to an abstract idea of a godhead, having followers from all the strata of society and being known to some as ‘Vizier of the poor’. And since all Egyptian temples had a sacred lake, Karnak‘s had to be the largest. Used during festivals when images of the gods would sail across it on golden barges, Karnak was also the home of a flock of geese raised as a proof of respect to Amun.

The Eastern Gateway once lead to a huge temple built by Akhenaten (the heretic king), but in an attempt to obliterate his memory, Akhenaten’s enemies destroyed this shrine after his death. The history of the temple goes deeper than that, but we hope to have awakened your interest to discover what remains by yourself. And in a final attempt to convince you to see the wonders of the Egyptian antique beliefs, we have to add that your visit here will not be forgotten or unrewarded if you find time to visit Karnak Gift Shop.

Temple Of Karnak from gstatic.com

Established in 1985, the shop may appear wholesale, but its products, mainly ancient Egyptian articles are unique and highly valued among the Egypt and artifacts lovers. Its pharaohs products, statues, shisah, copper plates, papyrus, leather & wood boxes, crystal, T-shirts and buff make wonderful gifts for anyone, and deepen the atmosphere in any home, filling it with the mystique air of a glorious past.