Viking RA - Day 7

When we came off our ship at Edfu, we got a very nice horse carriage ride that took us to Edfu Temple, which was a nice bonus.

It was about two miles to the Temple, winding through the Edfu streets along with cars and other carriages.

 

EDFU TEMPLE

This Ptolemaic (Greek influenced) temple, built between 237 and 57 BC, is one of the best-preserved ancient monuments in Egypt. It was preserved by desert sand, which filled the Temple after the pagan cult was banned. The temple is dedicated to the god Horus, the avenging son of Isis and Osiris.

The temple of Edfu is the largest temple dedicated to Horus.

The main entrance of Edfu Temple showing the first pylon.

Black Granite Statue of Horus and Virginia

A second set of Horus falcon statues in black granite flank the entrance to the temple’s first or outer hypostyle hall.

Hypostyle Hall and Courtyard

Inside the sanctuary at the center of the temple, the Holy of Holy's.

Volunteers cleaning the hieroglyphics.

Reliefs on the walls of the Temple of Edfu.

Viking Ra Leaves Edfu for Luxor at 10:30 am.

The ever present vendors followed the ships to the locks, throwing their wares up on deck in hopes of a sale.

They even went into the locks with us, a dangerous business.

Entering the Lock

Exiting the Lock

It took three hours to navigate the locks. The Viking Ra sailed back to Luxor, arriving at 10 pm.