Edfu

In March of 2023, my wife and I decided to embark on our long-awaited journey through Egypt. 

After a hectic three-day tour of Cairo and Giza, we flew on Egypt Air to Luxor, were whisked away to our cruise ship, Steinberger Minerva, and checked into our fabulous cabin. 

The four-day cruise starts from Luxor and goes up the Nile River to Aswan, stopping at several ports along the way.

After two days in Luxor and after crossing the Esna Locks, we stopped at Edfu to visit the most well-preserved temple in Egypt, the Temple of Horus.

This temple is near the cruise ship port, so we went on a horse carriage (locally called Calèche) to reach this beautiful temple. When we reached it, we were greeted by hundreds of carriages lining up at the entrance.

Our carriage driver navigated the chaotic traffic and managed to drop us at the entrance. 

The Temple of Horus at Edfu was built over a period of 180 years during the Ptolemaic Kingdom and is dedicated to the falcon god Horus. It is a masterpiece of ancient Egyptian architecture, and its walls are covered in intricate hieroglyphics and reliefs.

Interesting Fact: Worshipped as the child of Isis and Osiris, Horus was depicted with the head – and often the body – of a falcon and was the ruler of the skies and the deity of the pharaohs.

Some of the inscriptions depict scenes of the Sacred Drama, which is related to the age-old conflict between Horus and Seth. 

Its proximity to the Nile River allows for magnificent views from the temple’s wall. 

The temple was used for religious ceremonies until the fifth century AD.

It was then abandoned and buried by sand and silt. It was rediscovered in the early 19th century and has been excavated and restored since then.

In addition to the Temple of Horus, Edfu also has several other archaeological sites, including a Roman fort, a Coptic church, and a cemetery. The city is also a popular destination for birdwatching, as it is located on the migration route for many bird species.

The town of Edfu is small and charming, with a population of around 60,000 people. It is located on the west bank of the Nile River and is home to many markets, shops, and restaurants.