Luxor, Egypt
Coordinates: 25.719396, 32.656196
This avenue of Sphinxes leads to Luxor Temple, about 1.2 miles/2 kilometers south of Karnak Temple. It once ran all the way between Luxor and Karnak temples. These sphinxes combine the body of a lion with the head of king Nectanebo I (380-363 B.C.E.).
The construction of the Avenue of Sphinxes was begun during the New Kingdom and was finished during the rule of King Nectanebo I (380-362 BC).
Around 1,350 sphinx statues are thought to have originally lined the road which was only used once a year during the Opet Festival. During the festival, Egyptians paraded along the road carrying statues of Amun and Mut in a symbolic re-enactment of their marriage.
The road was later renovated by Queen Cleopatra (51-30 BC) and then used by the Romans. The sections closer to the temples are in the best condition and are lined with well-preserved ram-headed and human-headed sphinxes.
Many remaining remnants and reflected a grand period. Can be seen from a distance but up close and personal is better. The carvings, paintings and layout as well as the pieces piled up by era took time to view.
