메디넷 하부 — Attraction in Al Baairat Village

04/2025 Ticket office is 700m away from the entrance. One way is buying online tickets ot walk 700m. Search "Antiquities Inspectorate" on google map

1. Overview Medinet Habu, also known as the Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III, is one of the most impressive and well-preserved temple complexes on Luxor’s West Bank, Egypt. Built during the New Kingdom (12th century BCE) under Pharaoh Ramesses III, it served as a religious, administrative, and military hub, commemorating his victories and ensuring his legacy in the afterlife . The site includes the main temple, a fortified gatehouse (migdol), chapels, and remnants of a Coptic Christian settlement .

2. Historical Context Construction: Commissioned by Ramesses III (reign 1184–1153 BCE), the temple was part of his efforts to solidify Egypt’s power amid threats from the "Sea Peoples" and Libyans. Its design mirrors the Ramesseum but surpasses it in preservation . Later Use: The temple complex evolved into a fortified town during economic decline and later housed a Coptic community (5th–9th century CE), evidenced by churches and modified structures . Archaeological Rediscovery: Excavated in the 19th–20th centuries, the site revealed layers of history from pharaonic to Coptic eras .

3. Architectural Highlights The temple complex spans ~150 meters and features: First Pylon: Massive entrance adorned with reliefs of Ramesses III’s military triumphs, including battles against the Sea Peoples . Great Courtyards: Open spaces lined with Osiride statues of Ramesses III and columns depicting religious rituals . Hypostyle Hall: A columned hall with vibrant, well-preserved carvings of religious texts and royal decrees . Royal Palace: A residential area within the complex, blending practicality and grandeur . Migdol Gate: A fortified entrance resembling an Asiatic fortress, unique in Egyptian architecture . Temple of Amun: An older 18th Dynasty shrine built by Hatshepsut and Thutmose III, later incorporated into the complex .

4. Cultural & Religious Significance Military Legacy: The temple’s walls document Ramesses III’s victories, serving as a propaganda tool to assert Egypt’s strength . Religious Role: Dedicated to Amun and the deified Ramesses III, it hosted rituals and festivals, including the annual "Opet Festival" . Coptic Heritage: The later Christian settlement transformed parts of the temple into churches, such as the 6th-century "Holy Church of Djeme" .

5. Practical Visitor Information (2025) Location: West Bank of Luxor, near the Colossi of Memnon and Valley of the Kings . Hours: Typically 6:00 AM–5:00 PM (check for seasonal updates). Tickets: ~$9–24 USD (foreign visitors) . Recommended Time: 1–2 hours . Tips: Hire a guide to decode intricate reliefs and historical context . Combine with nearby sites: Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut’s Temple, and Luxor Temple . Visit early to avoid crowds and midday heat .

6. Why Visit in 2025? Preservation: Unlike many Egyptian temples, Medinet Habu retains original paint and carvings, offering a vivid glimpse into ancient artistry . Less Crowded: Often overlooked compared to Karnak or Luxor Temple, it provides a quieter, immersive experience . Historical Layers: From Ramesside battle scenes to Coptic graffiti, the site encapsulates millennia of history .

Conclusion Medinet Habu stands as a testament to Ramesses III’s reign and Egypt’s resilience. Its blend of military grandeur, religious devotion, and layered history makes it a must-visit for travelers seeking to explore beyond Luxor’s iconic landmarks. For deeper insights, consider guided tours or academic resources like Medinet Habu IX and X, which detail its...

The temple, some 150 m long, is of orthodox design, and resembles closely the nearby mortuary temple of Ramesses II (the Ramesseum). The temple precinct measures approximately 700 ft (210 m). by 1,000 ft (300 m) and contains more than 75,350 sq ft (7,000 m²) of decorated wall reliefs. Its walls are relatively well preserved and it is surrounded by a massive mudbrick enclosure, which may have been fortified. The original entrance is through a fortified gate-house, known as a migdol (a common architectural feature of Asiatic fortresses of the time).

Just inside the enclosure, to the south, are chapels of Amenirdis I, Shepenupet II and Nitiqret, all of whom had the title of Divine Adoratrice of Amun.

The first pylon leads into an open courtyard, lined with colossal statues of Ramesses III as Osiris on one side, and uncarved columns on the other. The second pylon leads into a peristyle hall, again featuring columns in the shape of Ramesses. This leads up a ramp that leads (through a columned portico) to the third pylon and then into the large hypostyle hall (which has lost its roof). Reliefs and actual heads of foreign captives were also found placed within the temple perhaps in an attempt to symbolise the king's control over Syria and Nubia.

In Coptic times, there was a church inside the temple structure, which has since been removed. Some of the carvings in the main wall of the temple have been altered by...

I would give the temple itself 5 STARS as the temple itself was amazing, beautiful and interesting. There are guides in the temple who may show you extra parts of it and they expect a tip for this so be prepared with some small notes or coins if you go with them.

The most disappointing experience we had was going to the cafe afterwards. Having had reasonable priced drinks in all places so far we didn't ask how much our drinks would be today. Also there wasn't a menu available. I was pleased to get an English tea and really enjoyed it with a view of the temple. My husband had a Ginger Beer can which is a standard soft drink anywhere. At the end they tried to charge us E£ 600 for the 2 drinks. 400 for the can and 200 for the tea I think. This is approx £10 GBP. My husband refused and after some further discussions and unpleasantness we finally paid E£500 to get away. This was still a ridiculous amount of money. We felt conned and it gave us a really bad impression of Egypt. When checking with an Egyptian driver later this was confirmed. Now we know why the cafe was fairly empty!!

If you go here enjoy the temple but DO NOT use the cafe inside. There are very much cheaper ones straight outside.

A lesson learned...