Abydos and Denderah Luxor - Kultuuriekskursioon Luxor - Egiptus

Kirjeldus: Early morning at 08.00am drive to Abydos , visit the temple of Abydos,

The city of Abydos flourished from the predynastic period (4000 BCE) of Egypt's history down through Christian times (about 641 CE).

The site of many tombs of predynastic rulers of ancient Egypt, the area soon grew in religious importance as a cult center for Osiris, first during the Middle Kingdom, when such a tomb of a First Dynasty king, Djer, was identified as the 'burial site of Osiris', the mythological god-king of the predynastic Egyptians (referred to as 'Osirieon').

This emphasis upon Osiris caused the city to become a pilgrimage site, as well as a desired place for either direct burial or for the erection of cenotaphs (monument erected in honor of a dead person whose remains lie elsewhere).

Festivals and the passion plays of Osiris' life and death were performed here from about the 12th Dynasty (1985-1795 BCE) until the Christian era.

One of the most significant monuments on the area is that of the Temple of Seti I,which is built to honor Osiris.

It is believed that Seti's architects had planned a classic Egyptian temple of straight proportions, but had to change directions when foundation work accidentally uncovered the site of the earlier King Djer tomb, and its Middle Kingdom references as the site of Osiris' burial.* Possibly out of piety,

The house of Seti I and Rameses II expanded and enhanced the Osirieon site, and the passion plays of the Osiris cult were tied into the Seti I temple thereafter.

Then drive to Qena and visit the Temple of Hathor at Denderah (The visit takes approx. 2 hours). The temple was buried in sand up until mid 1800's. Two Roman fountains flank the path leading to the temple's massive entry gate. The mud-brick enclosure walls also date to the Roman era. Structures within the walls include the temple, a Coptic Basilica, and a temple to Isis.

Then drive to Luxor