Luxor is the world's greatest open - air museum, filled with the awe - inspiring monuments of ancient civilization. It contains nearly one third of the world's antiquities.There is hardly a place in Luxor which has not a relic that reflects the greatness of the ancient Egyptians and their civilization that dates back to seven thousands years ago.
During the new kingdom (1567-1085)the capital of Egypt was Wesset which means "mace"to express the extreme authority of this city ,then the name was changed to "Thebes" and Homer described it as " City of the Hundred Gates".The Arabs called it "Luxor" means" The city of Palaces"because they were impressed by its magnificent edifices and huge buildings.
It still attracts hordes of visitors from all over the world to enjoy the monuments of the eternal city and its temples with their towering pillars
On the two Banks of the Nile
On the east bank of the Nile, in the city of the living, Luxor and Karnak temples greet the sunrise.The sunset on the west bank throws shadows through the City of the Dead: the Tombs of the nobles, the valley of the kings,Queen Hatshepsut's temple.
Recently,a bridge connecting the east and west banks has been constructed to speed up tourist traffic to the west bank.
The visitor of Luxor can make a journey to enjoy the wonderful tourist sites of Luxor soaring in a ballon above the temples on the east and west banks.Some agencies organize daily ballon journeys which last for one and half hour.
Places to see in Egypt
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