The title of the City of a Hundred Gates is given to a historical Egyptian city, and the one who gave it this title was one of the Greek historians called “Homer” because of its many large gates. In this topic, we will learn about the City of a Hundred Gates and its importance.
The city of a hundred doors
- The city of Luxor is called the City of a Hundred Gates, because it has buildings with huge and many gates. It also has some other names such as East and Thebes during Roman times, and the city of Thebes served as the official capital of the ancient state of Egypt.
- It was also called the City of the Sun, the City of Light, and the City of the Scepter, but its official name currently is the City of Luxor.
- The Arabs called it the city of Luxor because of its ancient palaces, which were founded in 2575 BC, during the reign of Amenhotep I of the Fourth Dynasty.
- The city was officially the country’s capital until 332 BC, when the Thirty-First Dynasty was overthrown by Persia.
- Because of the importance of this city, it was chosen as the Capital of Arab Culture in 2017 AD, as it contains 1/6 of the world’s monuments, and it is considered one of the prominent tourist attractions in Egypt.
- Because it depends on tourism activities as a source of national income, despite this, the residents of Luxor work in agricultural fields, especially cane cultivation, in addition to working in some industrial activities such as ceramics, pottery, and furniture.
See also: Where is the Valley of the Kings located?
إقرأ أيضا:مواعيد حركة مطار برج العرب الإسكندرية انظر حولكThe ancient city of Luxor
- The world has many great civilizations, which are reflected in the prominent landmarks that indicate them, and their landmarks have been discovered over the years, and Egypt is one of the places where the great Pharaonic monuments abound.
- As it contains the largest museums in the world, which is the Luxor City Museum, which includes many different Egyptian antiquities, left by the ancient Pharaohs over the years.
Geography and climate of Luxor
- The City of Hundred Babs “Luxor City” is located in the southern side of Egypt, and it is the official capital of Luxor Governorate, which is approximately 670 kilometers away from Cairo, “the current capital of the Arab Republic of Egypt.”
- The distance between it and Aswan is 220 km, the distance between it and Qena Governorate is 56 km, and it is 280 km away from the city of Hurghada.
- The city of Hundred Babs is a hot and dry area. It is a city in which the air temperature is very high. The climate of this city has been classified as a desert climate. The Nile River also divides the city of Luxor into two parts due to its passage through it, and they are:
Part of the eastern region
- It is known as the City of the Living, and it was full of various aspects of life during the Pharaonic rule, such as palaces, houses, and religious temples.
Part of the western region
- It is dotted with many other landmarks, such as cemeteries and funeral temples, and this part is known as the City of the Dead.
Luxor Museum
- The Luxor Museum was opened in 1975 AD on the Nile Corniche. One of its most important characteristics is that it is small and contains distinctive archaeological pieces in a limited number that may not exceed one hundred pieces. The museum contains some pieces that were found in the tomb of Tutankhamun.
- The museum also displays the statue of Tuthmosis III, discovered in 1965 AD.
- The museum is interested in displaying some pictures that show some important information about the statue next to it, including the method and time of discovery, along with an explanation of the damage it sustained in 2003 AD.
- After thirty-eight years of neglect, Egyptian Minister of Antiquities Zahi Hawass decided to restore the statue of Tuthmosis III, under his supervision, until he was able to return it to how it was before.
Archaeological monuments in the city of Hundred Babs
There are many archaeological monuments in the city of Luxor, which is called the City of Hundred Gates, and among its most prominent monuments are the following:
إقرأ أيضا:معلومات عن شرم الشيخ – -انظر حولكKarnak temples
- Which was built in approximately 2134 BC, during the rule of the 11th Dynasty, and every king had an artistic touch in these temples, as they worked hard to build their own temples and work to decorate them.
- Every king competed to make his temple better than the other temples of the kings who preceded him.
- Therefore, the tourist visiting these temples sees the aspects of splendor and beauty in this temple from the engineering and artistic aspect of the ancient Egyptian Pharaonic civilization.
- It is worth mentioning that the most visited Pharaonic place for tourism in the eastern part of the region is the Karnak Temple.
Luxor temple
- The purpose of building the Luxor Temple was worship, from the beginning of the Pharaonic rule until the Islamic era. It was built with the aim of worshiping the god Amun-Ra, his wife, and their son Khonsu, during the 18th and 19th Dynasties. There are many wonderful buildings in the Luxor Temple, such as the one built by Amenhotep III and Ramses II.
- Where Ramses II built the entrance to the temple with two adult statues placed in it, and there is a tripartite chapel in the Luxor Temple that was built during the reign of the Queen of Ancient Egypt.”
- Hatshepsut” was reconstructed during the reign of Ramesses II. As for the two obelisks located outside the temple to decorate them, they are now one obelisk in the Luxor Temple and the second in the French State in the Place de la Concorde.
See also: The tourist and coastal city of Oran
إقرأ أيضا:كيفية الوصول إلى حديقة الحيوان بالجيزة بالتفصيل انظر حولكValley of the Kings
- It is the valley that was built with the intention of preserving the bodies of kings and queens after death in the belief that they will return to life again. It consists of many and large tombs, and each tomb includes a room to place the king or king’s belongings of gold, statues, and weapons.
- It consists of sixty cemeteries, and the largest number of these cemeteries are located in the eastern part of the region. It is the part that tourists tend to visit most, compared to the part of the western region in which there are only two cemeteries, the first cemetery belonging to Amenhotep III, and the second cemetery belonging to Ay.
Statue of Memnon
- They are among the prominent archaeological monuments in Luxor in the West Bank. They are the two remaining statues from the funerary temple that was built by Amenhotep III, and on them are written some names of historians and rulers.
Ramesseum Temple
- It is a funerary temple belonging to King Ramses II, and the Ramesseum Temple contains inscriptions indicating the battle known as Kadesh.
Famous tombs in Luxor
Although the city of Luxor, known as the City of Hundred Gates, is distinguished by its archaeological monuments, it is distinguished by other monuments represented by cemeteries, and these cemeteries are for:
- Horemheb’s tomb.
- The private tomb of Seti I.
- The private tomb of Tutankhamun.
- The tomb of Ramesses III.
- The tomb of Ramesses VI.
- The tomb of Tuthmosis III.
What did the travelers say about Luxor?
- After the travelers visited Luxor and learned about its attractive landmarks, they talked a lot about it, including Brice Davin, who explained in his writings how the obelisk of Luxor was transferred to French lands, and the traveler Amber, who wrote about Luxor and compared its landmarks to the landmarks in his homeland.
- He compared the Rams Percent Gate Road to the corridors of the Champs-Élysées. He also talked about the Karnak Temple, which he compared to the Place de l’Etoile in France.
- Some of them expressed their admiration for the city of Luxor and its archaeological monuments, and they mentioned it in their books, such as the traveler Champollion, the Englishman Wilkinson, and the Germans Lesson.
See also: Fog City in Saudi Arabia
Famous cemeteries in the city of Hundred Babs
Luxor is a historical city in Egypt filled with many wonderful monuments and monuments, and among these monuments there are very famous and important tombs. Here are some famous tombs in Luxor:
- Tutankhamun’s Tomb (King Tutankhamun’s Tomb):
- Tutankhamun’s tomb is considered one of the most famous tombs in the world, and was discovered in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor. This tomb contains valuable treasures from the ancient period, many of which are now displayed in the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Cairo.
- Tomb of Ramesses VI:
- The tomb of King Ramses VI is considered one of the largest tombs in the Valley of the Kings and represents a royal cemetery dating back to the times of the New Kingdom. This tomb was discovered in the 19th century.
- Tomb of Ramesses II:
- The tomb of King Ramses II is considered one of the largest tombs in the Valley of the Kings and contains the ruins of his large temples and wonderful works of art.
- Tomb of Hatshepsut (Tomb of Queen Hatshepsut):
- Hatshepsut’s tomb is considered one of the famous female tombs, which contains many paintings and artistic inscriptions.
- Nefertari’s tomb:
- Nefertari’s tomb is a mass grave containing Queen Nefertari and some members of the royal family, and contains wonderful wall paintings describing the queen’s life and funerary rituals.
- Tomb of Thutmose III:
- This tomb bears the name of King Tutmus III, and was discovered in the King’s Valley in the Luxor region.
The importance of the City of Hundred Babs (Luxor)
Luxor is one of the most important historical and cultural cities in Egypt and the world. It is distinguished by its special importance thanks to the important historical and cultural landmarks and sites it contains. Here are some of the importance of Luxor:
- Its Pharaonic temples: Luxor is the Valley of the Kings, home to many famous Pharaonic temples and tombs, including Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, and Valley of the Kings. These sites contain wall paintings and inscriptions that tell stories from ancient Egyptian history.
- tourism: Luxor is a major tourist destination in Egypt and receives visitors from all over the world to explore its unique history and culture. Tourism plays a large role in the city’s economy.
- Culture and Arts: Luxor is the center of arts and culture in Egypt, with many cultural and artistic festivals and dueling events held there.
- Agriculture: The city is considered an agricultural center in Egypt and is famous for producing crops such as wheat, sugar, corn, and beets.
- education: Luxor is home to many universities and high schools, making it an important educational center.
- The dateaccident: In addition to its ancient history, it also has a modern influence on Egypt’s political and economic affairs.
The best time to visit the City of Hundred Babs
The best time to visit Luxor, known as the “City of a Hundred Doors,” in Egypt depends on visitors’ preferences and the activities they want to do. However, there are some general tips about the best times to visit Luxor:
- Winter season (November – March):
- During the winter months, temperatures in Luxor are moderate and suitable for tourism. This is the ideal time to visit its temples, tourist places and enjoy cultural tours.
- Spring semester (April – June):
- Spring is also a good time to visit. The atmosphere is still comfortable and gardens and plants are thriving at this time.
- Summer (July – September):
- Temperatures are high in the summer, and it can be very hot. If you like hot weather and want to avoid the tourist crowds, you can visit Luxor at this time.
- Ramadan:
- During Ramadan, some places may be closed or operate with limited hours due to fasting and worship. If you’re planning a visit during Ramadan, be sure to find out opening hours and inquire in advance.
Frequently asked questions about the City of Hundred Doors
What is Luxor city?
Luxor is an Egyptian city located in Upper Egypt and is considered one of the most important historical and tourist cities in Egypt.
Why is Luxor known as (the city of a hundred doors)?
The city of Luxor is known by this title due to the presence of many of its temples and ancient houses that contain decorative doors and porticoes. These doors and corridors represent crossings for visitors and residents.
What are the most prominent tourist attractions in Luxor?
The most prominent tourist attractions include the Karnak Temple, the Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, which contains the tombs of the ancient pharaohs, the Temple of Hatshepsut, and the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut.
When is the best time to visit Luxor?
Luxor (the City of a Hundred Doors) receives visitors throughout the year, but the period from November to March is the ideal time to visit as the temperatures are moderate and to avoid the high summer heat.
Are there annual cultural events or festivals in Luxor?
Yes, many festivals and cultural events are held in Luxor, such as the Luxor African Film Festival and the Luxor International Jazz Festival.
How to get to Luxor?
Luxor can be reached by plane from Cairo International Airport or by train. Luxor has an international airport that receives domestic and international flights.
Are there places to stay in Luxor?
Yes, Luxor (the city of a hundred doors) offers many hotels, resorts and places to stay to suit different budgets for visitors.