Madīnat Habu

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE, THEBES, EGYPT

Alternative Title: Medinet Habu

Madīnat Habu, also spelled Medinet Habu, the necropolis region of western Thebes in Upper Egypt that is enclosed by the outer walls of the mortuary temple built there by Ramses III (1187–56 BCE). This temple, which was also dedicated to the god Amon, was carved with religious scenes and portrayals of Ramses’ wars against the Libyans, Nubians, and the Sea People. It was situated within a fortified enclosure wall, with remarkable entrance towers, imitating Syrian migdol fortresses, on the east side. A royal palace was attached at the south of the open forecourt of this temple, while priests’ dwellings and administrative units lay on either side of the temple.

The earliest building on the site was a small shrine of the 11th dynasty (2081–1938 BCE), of which only the foundations remain. The shrine was later much enlarged by Hatshepsut and Thutmose III as a temple dedicated to the local form of Amon and the primeval Ogdoad (group of eight deities of the creation myth in Middle Kingdom Egypt [1938–c. 1630 BCE]). When Ramses III erected his mortuary temple in the vicinity, the enclosure walls incorporated the smaller temple inside the precinct. Madīnat Habu, as a fortified site, offered security during the late New Kingdom (1539–1075 BCE) to the inhabitants of western Thebes during times of unrest and served as the administrative centre for the women’s village at Dayr al-Madīnah.

Ramses III’s temple fell out of use during the Third Intermediate Period (1075–656 BCE), when it became a cemetery for private burials. A row of funerary chapels was erected just inside by the God’s Wives of Amon during the 25th and 26th dynasties (see ancient Egypt: The 24th and 25th dynasties and ancient Egypt: The Late period). The small temple of Amon was enlarged by the Kushite rulers and then much expanded during the Ptolemaic dynasty, with the addition of a colossal pylon and a renovation of the processional axis. The final addition was an open court dedicated by the Roman emperor Antoninus Pius. During the 1st millennium CE, a thriving Coptic town, Djeme, grew up within the fortified walls of Madīnat Habu.

Explore the World’s Largest Open-Air Museum

Luxor is home to six great temples, and all of them are in close proximity to each other. Luxor is also home to several other infamous attractions, including the Valley of Kings and the Valley of Queens, and for this reason, many of our all-inclusive Egypt vacations include spending some time sightseeing in Luxor.

However, not all Egypt tour packages include visiting this temple. If you want to visit Medinet Habu and it’s not included in your chosen tour, please inform one of our consultants so that your itinerary can be amended.

FAQ

Q- IIs Luxor worth visiting? A-Luxor and Cairo are exceedingly different places and yes Luxor is well worth visiting. If you want to see iconic sites such as the Valley of the King's and Karnak Temple, then you have no choice.


Q-How many days do you need in Luxor? A-Two days- Luxor requires a minimum of 3 days IMO. There is so much to see and do so you will be on the go the whole time. I'd say the minimum time needed to visit Luxor is two days, but you can easily spend longer as there are so many sites, and it's worth taking the time to enjoy the atmosphere.


Q-How long is the train ride from Cairo to Luxor?A-Departs Cairo Ramses Station 10 hours.


Q-Is it safe to travel from Hurghada to Luxor?A- There is no FCO advice against travel to Cairo, Alexandria, the tourist areas along the Nile, and the Red Sea resorts of Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada. The section of the country between the Nile and the Red Sea is also considered mostly safe.


Q-What can you buy in Luxor?A-Some of the best souvenirs to bargain for & buy in Luxor are Egyptian cotton, alabaster vases & other products from alabaster factories, mouldings and carvings of Pharaohs, queens & gods, glass scent bottles, leather, silver, gold to name a few.


Q-Is Aswan worth visiting? A-“Aswan itself: the town is worth a visit” ... With its great market, connection to Nubian people and culture, its easy cross Nile ferry trip and a great place to stay, Aswan is a much more enjoyable place than any other place in the world.


Q-How long is a Nile Cruise from Luxor to Aswan? A-The Nile Cruise from Luxor to Aswan takes 5 days and vice versa from Aswan to Luxor 4 days.