Colossi of Memnon

Colossi of Memnon

Colossi of Memnon
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Two enthroned statues of Amenhotep III, each soaring more than 60 feet into the sky, are the first monuments visitors see on arriving in the West Bank.
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  • Светланка🧜‍♀️
    Moscow, Russia18,045 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Singing statues
    This is not my first time in Luxor. Of course, many years have passed since the first visit. But he hasn't changed much. Just like 3.5 thousand years ago (if the data is correct), in front of the destroyed temple there are two huge stone statues of Amenhotep III called the Colossi of Memnon)) In general, a certain gigantomania can be traced in Egyptian buildings)) But it also makes a corresponding impression! Unfortunately, time is not kind to the statues, and they are slowly but surely destroyed. Two thousand years ago, an earthquake severely damaged the statues. After that they began to “sing.” First time I heard!!! Not this time.
    Visited December 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written March 1, 2024
  • Maria Solange O
    Farroupilha, RS31,221 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Twin gigantic statues!
    Colossus of Memnon are two gigantic twin statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III. On the way to the Valley of the Kings, on the banks of the highway, they are impressive in their size, but a short stop for a photo is enough. They are partially damaged due to time, but they are worth getting to know.
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written March 11, 2024
  • Jean-Sebastien9276
    Saint-Leu-la-Foret, France4,817 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Visit of 03/09/24
    The colossi of Memnon were sculpted from a single thousand-ton block of stone, they are the remains of the funerary temple of Amenhotep III (the largest built in Egypt). The area is still the subject of archaeological excavations. The view from the fields with the colossi in the background is pleasant.
    Visited March 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written March 16, 2024
  • Susan C
    Melbourne, Australia1,535 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Worse for wear
    Renowned in poetry and truly large these ruined statues are looking very much the worse for wear. They are roped off and the area behind them is off-limits as the temple complex behind them is being excavated. However, it only takes a moment to visit them and there is no cost so nothing is wasted by looking at them.
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written April 5, 2024
  • Alejandro G.
    Tijuana, Mexico166 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    totally wonderful
    It is a place that does not cost anything to enter and is well worth visiting. There are a couple of colossal statues. It does not take you more than 40 minutes to explore the place. It is before reaching the Valley of the Kings and it is simply wonderful to see these gigantic statues. If you have any questions about it, I am at your service. Thank you for reading my opinion.
    Visited April 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written April 24, 2024
  • Considered Review
    Norwich, United Kingdom2,538 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A pair of gloriously time-corrupted sentries to the past
    Two giant statues near the Valley of the Kings. Time has taken its toll on both but they remain a wonderful diversion on your trip around Luxor and the other nearby attractions. In fact you are likely to drive past them on the way to somewhere else.
    Visited September 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written October 6, 2024
  • DH
    Luxembourg City, Luxembourg704 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Short stop
    Impressively, these two colossuses are already quite destroyed. In the background you can also see the excavation work of the temple. Unfortunately, it is virtually impossible to take a picture without too many people at the usual "tour times"...
    Visited November 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written December 3, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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Adam B
1,202 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023 • Family
They are the first to welcome us on the tour of the "city of the dead" located on the left bank of the Nile. Huge, standing alone in the desert, with a strange non-Egyptian name coming from Greek mythology. During the reign of the Romans, they were a destination for tourists admiring the ancient monument. At that time, in the morning the attraction was the sounds made by the statues resembling moans, which was associated with the complaint of the mythical Memnon addressed to the mother goddess Eos. During the reign of Emperor Septimius Severus, the sculptures were restored, after which the statues became silent forever. Just 15 minutes is enough to take photos and enjoy the appearance of the colossi.
Google
Written October 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

fourmestraux v
Lille, France341 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Couples
two imposing stone sculptures (14 meters high), built nearly 3,400 years ago and representing Amenhotep III, were once located at the entrance to his funerary temple, on the west bank of the Nile. The rest of the temple was unfortunately completely destroyed following an earthquake in 27 AD. Allow around ten minutes on site to tour it. You can see them on your way from Luxor to the Valley of the Kings. The rest of the site is unfortunately abandoned (waste, etc.).
Google
Written August 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Xave Edison
Singapore, Singapore750 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2023
A side detour when going to Valley of the Kings. Free admission.

Nothing to see except for the two big statues. There are some other small statues on the premises but the area is blocked and tourists are not allowed to enter.
Written February 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Shubh K
Vienna, VA505 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023 • Family
These statues are enormous. The most fascinating aspect is the ancient Roman graffiti you'll see on the sides of the statues. By the time this was discovered by the Romans, these status were already at least 1000 years old. Ancient Egypt was 'ancient' history to even the Romans.
Written October 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Madan Gopal M
Bengaluru, India8,429 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023 • Solo
This huge Colossi of Memnon in West Bank of Luxor is a unique site offering grand view of the expansive open land. Twin statues depict Amenhotep III in a seated position and two small figures behind are his wife and mother. This magnificent statues suffered vagaries of weather including wrarth of earth quakes. Many stories and legends are associated with this place. The statues are supposed to guard at the entrance of dilapidated Amenhotep's memorial temple. There are many Roman era inscriptions on the statues in Greek and Latin languages and archeologists and researchers have their own interpretations. The statues are badly damaged and under restoration guided by national and international experts. Entrance to this place is free.
Written May 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Martin H
Hong Kong, China1,027 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023
If this was the only site in the area, it would receive a much higher rating but the other Luxor sights make it pale somewhat in comparison.

The two statues are enormous and impressive when you consider that they were original cut from one piece of stone. However they are damaged because of an early earthquake. Some good carving on the stones are still visible.

Worth a brief stop on your way to the other more impressive sights in the area.
Written March 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

DEK_29
Brisbane, Australia1,062 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
At the time of my first visit in 2010, the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities had undertaken a dig in the location behind the colossi and had found dozens of statues, including a red granite double statue featuring Amenhotep III with the falcon-headed sun god Re-Horakhti. In fact I saw a documentary last year that showed more than twelve statues some of which were five metres high. Another was in pieces and would be at least as large as the colossi. With this dig going on, access to the back of the colossi is still curtailed.

The Colossi of Memnon, sculptured and built for Amenhotep III (known as Amenhotep the Magnificent and father to Akhenaten) are an imposing duo. I'm 1.9 metres tall and these statues are huge compared to me (have a look at the photographs to see the size comparison). Originally set in front of Amenhotep’s vast mortuary temple which was said to be 100 meters wide and 600 meters long.

It only takes a short time to photograph these great statues. However while I was there, I pondered on the idea that these remnants of a by-gone era have stood there for four millennia gazing across the fields towards Thebes while the ground level steadily grew. When visiting these silent sentinels, stop, photograph and think, I’m sure Amenhotep would appreciate it.

Tip:
Watch the 1966 movie Khartoum which has a fantastic opening showing what Egypt was like back in the 1880s and in pharaonic times. It shows the landscape around the colossi flooded as it did every yer during the time of the Pharaohs.
Written September 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

laczkozsu
Debrecen, Hungary2,488 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023 • Couples
These famous colossi are located next to a road. They were carved from one block of stone. The 19,5 ms high sitting figures represent the pharaoh of Amenhotep III. The smaller figures at their feet represent his mother and his wife. Only these two giant statues remain from the king's former mortuary temple. We arrived at them by bus and spent only some minutes to take photos. It’s worth to see them.
Written April 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

john n
Camberley, UK431 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
Spectacular due to their size but one of the least riveting places we visited. It was a bit of a bolt-on after a trip to The Valley of the Kings and is rather "work in progress". Nevertheless the sheer size of the two main statues is worth the short detour. There are other, smaller artefacts to look at but it's a shame that the external condition of the statues of Amenhotep are a bit care worn but it is wo
Written January 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

pan_viator
Teignmouth, UK178 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
Yes, it's crowded and looks rather battered, but...
Take a walk along the road beside the site. There are several notice boards that give the history of the site and explain how it is being conserved. You also get to see parts that the people who do a quick stop at the car park don't look at.
Past the end of the site there is a place where new mud bricks are being made. The bricks are being used to repair and protect some of the structures.
Written January 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Colossi of Memnon, Luxor

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