Laufen-Uhwiesen, Switzerland
9th century AD
Neuhausen am Rheinfall, Switzerland
1348
Schaffhausen, Switzerland
1564-1589
Stein am Rhein, Switzerland
c. 1200
Bechtersbohl, Germany
1125-1141
Stetten, Switzerland
13th century
The Temple of Edfu is one of the best preserved ancient shrines in Egypt. It was built in the Ptolemaic Kingdom between 237 and 57 BC.
Edfu was one of several temples built during the Ptolemaic Kingdom, including the Dendera Temple complex, Esna, the Temple of Kom Ombo, and Philae. Its size reflects the relative prosperity of the time. The present temple initially consisted of a pillared hall, two transverse halls, and a barque sanctuary surrounded by chapels. The building was started during the reign of Ptolemy III Euergetes and completed in 57 BC under Ptolemy XII Auletes. It was built on the site of an earlier, smaller temple also dedicated to Horus, although the previous structure was oriented east–west rather than north–south as in the present site.