Temple of Horus at Edfu

The Temple of Horus in Edfu is one of Egypt’s most impressive and well-preserved temples. This temple exists on the west bank of the Nile in Edfu, Aswan Governorate. The ancient Egyptians dedicated that large temple to the gods Horus and Hathor of Dendera.

Location of Temple of Horus

The Temple of Edfu is an Egyptian temple located on the west bank of the Nile in Edfu, Upper Egypt.

History of Temple of Horus at Edfu

Ptolemy XII Neos Dionysos and Cleopatra VII’s father completed the erection of this sandstone temple some 180 years later.

The construction of the present temple started on 23 August 237 BC during the reign of Ptolemy III Euergetes. Ptolemy XII Neos Dionysos, known as Auletes, completed it in 57 BC. The Ptolemies built it on an earlier, smaller temple site dedicated to Horus. Historically, during the New Kingdom, pharaohs Ramses I, Seti I and Ramses II built the earlier temple. However, the ancient Egyptians oriented the previous structure east-west rather than north-south as in the present area. Also, a ruined tower lies just to the east of the current temple.

The appearance of Christianity in Egypt influenced the use of the temple of Horus. The Roman Empire in 391 AD banned the worship of the Ancient Egyptian Gods. Thus, the temple fell into disuse for centuries.

In the mid-19th century, Auguste Mariette began the excavation of this temple. For two hundred years, the sand, rubble and part of the village of Edfu buried this temple. It was a colossal quantity that the sand had spread over its roof.