The Temple of Horus in Edfu, also known as the Temple of Edfu, is one of the best-preserved ancient temples in Egypt. It is dedicated to the falcon god Horus and is located in the city of Edfu, in the southern part of Egypt, on the west bank of the Nile River.
The construction of the temple began during the Ptolemaic dynasty, specifically during the reign of Ptolemy III in 237 BC. However, it was not completed until over 180 years later, during the reign of Ptolemy XII in 57 BC. The temple was built on the site of an older temple dedicated to Horus, which dated back to the New Kingdom period.
The construction of the Temple of Horus in Edfu was carried out in a traditional Egyptian architectural style, following a plan similar to other Egyptian temples. It consists of a large courtyard, a hypostyle hall, several smaller chambers, and a sanctuary at the rear where the cult statue of Horus was housed.
The temple was designed to celebrate the divine union of Horus and his consort, the goddess Hathor, and to perpetuate the annual festival known as the “Feast of the Beautiful Reunion.” During this festival, a statue of the god Horus would travel in a procession from his temple in Edfu to the nearby Temple of Hathor in Dendera. The festival represented the renewal of the cosmic balance and was of great importance to the ancient Egyptians.
After the decline of the Egyptian civilization, the Temple of Horus in Edfu fell into disuse and was buried beneath the desert sands. It was not until the early 19th century that the temple was rediscovered and gradually excavated by French expedition led by Auguste Mariette and later by the Egyptian Antiquities Service.
The temple underwent various restoration and conservation efforts in the 20th century to preserve its magnificent reliefs and artworks. Today, the Temple of Horus in Edfu is a popular tourist destination and provides valuable insights into the ancient Egyptian religious beliefs and architectural achievements. Its well-preserved condition and intricate reliefs make it one of the most impressive examples of ancient Egyptian
