The temple of Karnak was known as Ipet-isu—or “most select of places”—by the ancient Egyptians. It is a city of temples built over 2,000 years and dedicated to the Theban triad of Amun, Mut, and Khonsu.

Karnak Temple Sacred Lake is the largest of its kind and was dug by Tuthmosis III (1473-1458 BC). It measures 393 feet (120m) by 252 feet (77m) and is lined with stone wall and has stairways descending into the water.

The first pylon is the last to be built at Karnak and is the main entrance into the temple today. It was never completed and is undecorated; even the remains of the mud brick ramps, used to build, it can still be seen inside the great court.

Karnak Temple Barque Chapel of Ramesses III. Ramesses III (1184–1153 BC) built a barque shrine south of the second pylon, which was later enclosed by the court yard constructed by Shoshenq I (943-922 BC).

Karnak Temple Hypostyle Hall Layout of the Hypostyle Hall at Karnak The massive columns in the hypostyle hall dwarfs the people and there is still some paint surviving on the underside of the capitals.

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3D Reconstruction of Luxor Temple. There are plenty of ground plans of ancient Egyptian temples available and recreating the actual buildings is not so difficult if you’re familiar with 3D CAD or other such software.

Karnak Temple of Khonsu. His temple, within the precincts of Karnak, was built by Ramesses III. It comprises a peristyle court which is bordered by a portico of twenty-eight columns. There is also a hypostyle hall which is connected to the sanctuary of the barque with chapels open to the left and right and a staircase leading to the roof.

The sacred boats of the Theban triad were brought from Karnak and carried into the temple of Luxor. There would have been a great procession with musicians, dancers, priests, soldiers, and the chariots of the king.

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