|
|
|
Major sites and areas covered in this section
include: (opens in a new information window)
 There are simply hundreds of monuments,
including temples,
tombs, necropoli, etc, scattered throughout the whole of Egypt - use the links
throughout the page or on the map to find out more about specific
pharaonic
monuments or sites.
Temples
Central to the ancient Egyptian religion and way of
life was the temple. Considered the "home" of the dedicated god or
goddess, and also an important element of the economic structure, the
activities of the temple revolved around the worship and celebration of
the god or goddess, known as the "cult". A remarkable number of these
amazing structures have survived today, and remain some of the most
popular sites for tourists to visit. Find out more
about ancient Egyptian temples >>
Tombs
It is ironic that the numerous Ancient Egyptian tombs,
once sealed, were not intended to be seen by outsiders. Yet the highly
valued and often reproduced tomb decorations have had a profound influence
on art and have contributed significantly to our understanding of the
Ancient Egyptian culture. The ancient Egyptian civilisation changed and
evolved dramatically over the millenia, and many of these changes are
reflected in how the tombs of the kings, queens, nobles, and the
workers were built and decorated. Discover
more about ancient Egyptian tombs >>
Pyramids
Iconic monuments in their own right, the full
scale pyramid complex consisted of a true pyramid with mortuary and
valley temples, a causeway between the two, and usually a number of
smaller subsidiary pyramids. Fully evolved by the beginning of the 4th
Dynasty, the origins of the pyramid complex can be seen in the royal
tombs and funerary enclosures at Early Dynastic Abydos and the step
pyramid at Saqqara. Find out more about pyramids
in Egypt >>
Coptic monasteries and churches
The sheer scale of the
pharaonic antiquities of Egypt can often overwhelm the fact that Egypt was also an intrinsic part of the Holy Land. There are many sites throughout Egypt at which
the "holy family" are said to have taken shelter and sought refuge during the
three years that they spent in Egypt after fleeing
from Judea and King Herod. Many ancient churches have been built upon these sites.
Monasteries were established in inaccessible and isolated areas, and many
of these still survive today, some still complete with monks, icons,
furnishings and the trappings of the simple lifestyle that date back
almost to the time of Christ. Discover Egypt's
ancient monasteries and churches >>
|
|
|
