The Avenue of Sphinx connects the feted Temple of Luxor and the world-famous Temples at Karnak. This Avenue of Sphinx is an imposing avenue of about 2 kms or 1.2miles south of the Karnak Temple and bordered on both sides by the majestic sphinxes. It is believed that in the ancient times, the avenue extended over a length of 3km length and the number of Sphinxes present there was about two thousand.
However it is said that the sphinxes do not belong to the original cult design of Luxor.
The Avenue of Sphinx was erected at first by Amenhotep III . However in the 4th century the sphinxes were re-constructed by King Nectanebo I in the 4th centuryin order to replace the desolated sphinxes of New Kingdom Era in Egyptian history.
At present the sphinxes that line the avenue have the body of a lion with the head of Nectanebo I who ruled from 380-363 B.C.E. Nectanebo I replaced the former ram-headed sphinxes with his own head. The sandstone built majestic structures reflects a golden color during the day and looks stunning during the sunset. The Avenue of Sphinx which links the temple of Karnak was known as Ipet-isut in the old days. It was dedicated to the Theben tercet of Amen, Mut and Khonsu. Originally the temple complex consists of three main temples, enclosed and outer temples. This enormous complex embracing an area of 100 hectares was constructed before a thirteen hundred year period and is the largest temple complex in the world. The famous Luxor Temple that is also connected by the Avenue of Sphinx was built by Ramses II, especially the pylon (the huge wall in the background), two obelisks of which only one remains today and six figurines of himself. This striking Avenue of Sphinx which encompasses the entire region from Luxor Temple to Karnak Temple imparts a ceremonial grandeur to Luxor.
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