Ancient site · Aswan
Edfu Temple
Horus's temple at Edfu on the Nile's west bank, among the most complete and best-preserved temples of ancient Egypt.
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The story
Work began under Ptolemy III in 237 BC and was only finished in 57 BC under Ptolemy XII, around 180 years later. The temple honours the falcon god Horus and stands on the site of an earlier, smaller sanctuary. Buried beneath sand and debris for centuries, its architecture and carved decoration survived in remarkable condition until the French archaeologist Auguste Mariette began uncovering it in 1860. Its walls are covered in hieroglyphic inscriptions that rank among the most important sources on religion in Ptolemaic Egypt.
Good to know
- Construction began on 23 August 237 BC and took roughly 180 years to complete.
- The temple lay buried until only the top of its great gateway (pylon) showed, before Mariette began clearing it in 1860.
- Each year the goddess Hathor travelled from Dendera to visit Horus at Edfu during the 'Festival of the Beautiful Meeting'.
- A colossal granite falcon statue of Horus wearing the double crown stands before the hypostyle hall.
- The temple contains a nilometer that priests used to gauge the Nile's level and related tax assessments.
Visiting tips
Per the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities site, the temple is open daily roughly 6am to 5pm, with foreign adult tickets at EGP 550 and students at EGP 275. Hours and prices change, so please check before visiting. Early mornings tend to be quieter and cooler. Wear light, modest clothing and comfortable shoes.