Things to know before you go to Edfu

Edfu is a typical stop on travel between these two important cities in Upper Egypt because it is located 109 kilometers south of Luxor and 130 kilometers north of Aswan. Edfu’s Temple of Horus is a relative newcomer in the lengthy timeline of Ancient Egypt’s history. When the Ptolemy Dynasty governed Egypt in the second century BC, construction on this site started.

FeatureDescription
LocationLocated 109 kilometers south of Luxor and 130 kilometers north of Aswan.
ConstructionConstructed during the Ptolemy Dynasty in the second century BC.
HieroglyphicsAdorned with enormous hieroglyphics and brilliant friezes.
PylonsOne of the tallest pylons, standing at a height of 37 meters.
HallsSurrounded by a number of halls, including the hall of offerings, Hypostyle hall, and the hall of festivals.
Sanctuary of HorusThe temple’s oldest and holiest chamber houses a black granite shrine decorated by Nectanebo II.
NilometerA device used to determine the Nile water levels during each flood.
SignificanceOne of Egypt’s best-preserved sanctuaries and an important source of information about Egypt’s language, mythology, and religion during the Hellenistic era.

Edfu’s temple

One of the best places to go to experience the bold ambition of Egypt’s temple builders is Edfu’s temple, one of the most remarkable works of construction finished during the Ptolemaic era.
The imposing sandstone walls of the temple are adorned with enormous hieroglyphics and brilliant friezes that imitate the nationalistic ornaments of past pharaohs.
You definitely get a sense of the omnipotent power of Egypt’s kings when you are within its expansive chambers, walking beneath huge doorways, and meandering ant-like through its halls that appear to have been designed for giants.

Edfu temple Egypt
Things to know before you go to Edfu
Edfu temple Egypt

The Nilometer in the Edfu temple was used to determine the Nile water levels during each flood. The Sanctuary of Horus, which houses a black granite shrine decorated by Nectanebo II, is the temple’s oldest and holiest chamber.

The Edfu temple in Egypt has one of the tallest pylons

The temple is one of the most popular archaeological sites in all of Egypt because of its many remarkable features. The Edfu temple has one of the tallest pylons, standing at a height of 37 meters, which was built by Ptolemy IX. It is surrounded by a number of halls, including the hall of offerings, which was decorated with statues of Ptolemaic pharaohs presenting gifts to the gods, the Hypostyle hall, which was built by Ptolemy VII, and the hall of festivals.

Edfu temple Egypt
Edfu temple Egypt

Frequently asked questions about Edfu temple:

Is Edfu worth visiting?


Edfu and Kom Ombo are both well worth the trip. In addition to having a stunning location right on the Nile River, Kom Ombo is distinctive in that it is a double temple. My favorite of the three was Edfu. It is in fantastic shape, and seeing the first pylon is amazing.

Edfu and Kom Ombo are both well worth the trip. In addition to having a stunning location right on the Nile River, Kom Ombo is distinctive in that it is a double temple. My favourite of the three was Edfu. It is in fantastic shape, and seeing the first pylon is amazing.

What is Edfu known for?


The village is famous for its large Ptolemaic temple, which was constructed there between 237 BC and 57 BC under Cleopatra VII’s rule. The Temple of Horus at Edfu is the best preserved of all the Egyptian temple ruins.

The village is famous for its large Ptolemaic temple, which was constructed there between 237 BC and 57 BC under Cleopatra VII's rule. The Temple of Horus at Edfu is the best preserved of all the Egyptian temple ruins.

Is Edfu worth visiting?


Edfu and Kom Ombo are both well worth the trip. In addition to having a stunning location right on the Nile River, Kom Ombo is distinctive in that it is a double temple. My favorite of the three was Edfu. It is in fantastic shape, and seeing the first pylon is amazing.

Edfu and Kom Ombo are both well worth the trip. In addition to having a stunning location right on the Nile River, Kom Ombo is distinctive in that it is a double temple. My favourite of the three was Edfu. It is in fantastic shape, and seeing the first pylon is amazing.

Why is the Temple of Edfu important?


It is among Egypt’s best-preserved sanctuaries. Between 237 and 57 BC, under the Ptolemaic Kingdom, the temple was constructed. Important details about Egypt’s language, mythology, and religion during the Hellenistic era are revealed by the inscriptions on the building’s walls.

It is among Egypt's best-preserved sanctuaries. Between 237 and 57 BC, under the Ptolemaic Kingdom, the temple was constructed. Important details about Egypt's language, mythology, and religion during the Hellenistic era are revealed by the inscriptions on the building's walls.

When was Edfu founded?


The Ptolemaic and ancient Egyptian cultures had a deep admiration and relationship, as shown by the history of the Edfu temple. Pharaoh Ptolemy III started building the temple on August 23, 237 BC, and Pharaoh Ptolemy XII finished it in full, in 57 BC.

The Ptolemaic and ancient Egyptian cultures had a deep admiration and relationship, as shown by the history of the Edfu temple. Pharaoh Ptolemy III started building the temple on August 23, 237 BC, and Pharaoh Ptolemy XII finished it in full, in 57 BC.

How big is the Edfu Temple of Horus?


The huge temple of Horus, made of sandstone and located on the site of a previous temple from the 18th dynasty (1567-1320 BCE), is the most important monument from ancient Idf. It is 451 feet (138 meters) long and 250 feet (76 meters) wide.

The huge temple of Horus, made of sandstone and located on the site of a previous temple from the 18th dynasty (1567-1320 bce), is the most important monument from ancient Idf. It is 451 feet (138 metres) long and 250 feet (76 metres) wide.

Where in Egypt is Edfu?


In the past, Edfu, a thriving Greek metropolis in Upper Egypt on the western bank of the Nile River, was also known as Apollinopolis Magna, after the main God Horus-Apollo. The historic city is now a hospitable commercial town.

In the past, Edfu, a thriving Greek metropolis in Upper Egypt on the western bank of the Nile River, was also known as Apollinopolis Magna, after the main God Horus-Apollo. The historic city is now a hospitable commercial town.

What is the story of Horus?

Horus was a falcon-headed god who served as Ra’s assistant and represented the pharaoh’s authority for most of Egyptian history. He inherited the right to rule over Egypt after avenging the death of his father, Osiris, and later rose to prominence as one of the most significant gods in the Egyptian pantheon.


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