Esna the little town of Egypt located about 35 miles south of Luxor was the Greek
town named Latopolis. Esna was an important region during the 18th dynasty due
to the developing relations with Sudan. But soon the city declined until 26th
dynasty. However under Greeks and Roman rule the city became the capital of the
Third Nome of Upper Egypt.
At present time, Esna is a somewhat sleepy yet busy merchant and farming town.
The weaving industry in Esna is located on the west bank of the Nile. The market
of Esna is very popular for fabric however the main attraction of Esna is the
animal market held every Saturday.
Located just 4 miles southwest from Esna is the Deir Manaos Wa al-Shuhada (Monastery
of the Three Thousand Six Hundred Martyrs). The 10th century church of this
area is considered as one of the most beautiful church in Upper Egypt region.
Temple of Khnum the main attraction of Esna is located in the middle of modern
Esna town at a level about nine meters below the current street level. Near
the temple of Khnum lie the carved cartouches of Emperor Marcus Aurelius.
Another main attraction of Esna is the temple of Chnum. Chnum was regarded
as the God of life and fertility and looks like a man with the head of a ram.
This temple was not as old as the monuments in Luxor. Built on the fundamentals
of an older one of 18th dynasty about 200 BC this temple was a perfect example
of Egyptian architecture.
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