christmas_left christmas_right
happy_santa_smile_icon
Christmas offers on selected tours
View Offers

Colossi of Memnon in Luxor

Placed on the West Bank of the Nile opposite Luxor City are the two magnificent Statues of memnon. These enormous figures were considered to hold special significance at the time they were erected and still act as a gateway and passage into the valley of the Kings. 
 

Directions:

 
A one hour flight from Cairo, 3 hours by road from the Red Sea resort of Hurghada, and 3 hours by road from Aswan, Luxor is easily accessible by many transport links including trains between Cairo and Aswan.
 

History:

 
Standing 23 meters tall, each weighing a thousand tons, the Colossi of memnon were carved from blocks of quartzite taken from Quarries either near Giza or Gebel Es-Silseleh They depict Amenhotep III with his mother Mutemwia (on the southern colossus) and his wife, Tiy (on the eastern), and one of his daughters. The chairs on which the king sit have relief carvings on their sides sowing Nile Gods joining together plants symbolizing Upper and Lower Egypt.
The Colossi alone were enough to convince early Greek and Roman travellers that the site had been a special place.After an earthquake in 27 BC. Cracked the northern colossus, it emitted a bell-like sound each morning as temperature and humidity rose.Greeks believed that this was the greeting of Memnon (a mythical African ruler killed in the Trojan War and made immortal by the god Zeus) to his mother, Eos goddess of the dawn. To hear this song was thought to bring good fortune.The crying stopped when Septimus Severus patched cracks in the colossus in 199 AD. Greek and Roman visitors left graffiti on the Colossi boasting of hearing the voice of Memnon. The emperor Hadrian heard the Colossus sing on three different mornings-a sing, he believed, that the gods held him in especially high regard. Ancient Egyptians called the southern colossus ‘Rulers of Rulers’.
    Suggested Tours
    Why Choose Us

    • Travel Experience Since 1955

      Memphis Tours is one of the pioneers which have great impact on travel industry for more than 55 years of experience.

    • Personalized Travel Services

      Whatever your travel dreams, together we can custom-design the perfect itinerary with highly personalized services just for you

    • We Speak Your Language

      A multilingual website offers content in 6 different languages English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian and German

    • Flexibility to Change

      We know how important it is for travellers to have the flexibility to change their itinerary due to some reasons or force majeure

    • Your Safety and Security

      A professional will accompany the guests to all of the places; they will never be left alone to fend for themselves

    • High Quality Service

      We do believe honestly that quality should come first and quantity would come later and our main objective focused on (Quality is our Top Priority)

    • Customer Service 24/7

      We offer Customer Support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by phone and email for questions about our tours and services

    • Support Sustainable Tourism

      We are attempting to make a low impact on the environment and local culture, while helping to generate future employment for local people

    • Secure Online Payment

      Our website is protected by the world′s most secure online payment system VeriSign Secure

    • Secure Website by MacAfee

      Memphis Tours website is a McAfee Secure site that helps keep you safe from identity theft, credit card fraud and spyware