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The Ptolomaic temple was once part
of a larger area where artefacts of the Old, Middle and New Kingdom
were also found. It is dedicated to Horus, the falcon headed
god of Egyption mythology. The building was begun in 237 BC by Ptolemy
III Euergetes, was extended and embellished then over a period of
180 years and finally finished by Cleopatra's father, Ptolemy VII,
around 57 BC. It is the best preserved and, after that of Karnak,
the largest temple in Egypt.
 We were deeply
impressed by its dimension, sublime beauty and the abundance of
well-preserved, elaborate reliefs, which decorate all walls and
columns. The hieroglyphic and graphic stonemason works report
on the erection of the temple, the heroic deeds of the Pharaohs
and the mythology of the old Egypt. The magnificent Pylon of the
temple has a height of 118 feet and leads into a colonnaded courtyard,
which adjoin the marvellous hypostyle hall and numerous further
well preserved parts of the temple.
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UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Egypt