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The Karnak Temple Complex, located in Luxor, is one of the largest and most awe-inspiring ancient religious sites in the world. Built over a period of nearly 2,000 years, it served as a center for worship and administration dedicated primarily to Amun-Ra, the chief deity of Thebes, along with his consort Mut and their son Khonsu, forming the Theban Triad.
The Karnak Temple complex comprises a vast mix of temples, pylons, chapels, and other buildings. Construction at the complex began during the reign of Senusret I (reigned 1971–1926 BC) in the Middle Kingdom (c. 2000–1700 BC) and continued into the Ptolemaic Kingdom (305–30 BC), although most of the extant buildings date from the New Kingdom.
Today, Karnak stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an essential destination for history enthusiasts, showcasing the engineering brilliance, artistic achievements, and spiritual beliefs of ancient Egypt. Visitors can explore the complex and even witness stunning light and sound shows that bring its history to life.
Among its most striking features is the Great Hypostyle Hall, a vast space covering 50,000 square feet, filled with 134 colossal sandstone columns. These columns, intricately carved with hieroglyphs and reliefs, soar to heights exceeding 20 meters and create a sense of awe as they seem to stretch endlessly into the sky.
The temple is home to the Sacred Lake, a large rectangular basin used for purification rituals by priests. Nearby, the Avenue of Sphinxes, a ceremonial pathway lined with ram-headed sphinx statues, serves as a symbolic connection between Karnak and the Luxor Temple. Towering obelisks, such as those commissioned by Pharaohs like Hatshepsut, rise gracefully, bearing inscriptions that celebrate divine power and royal achievements. Massive statues, including depictions of Ramses II, add further grandeur to the complex.
Karnak is divided into precincts, with the largest dedicated to Amun-Ra, the chief deity of Thebes, and smaller sections honoring deities such as Mut and Montu. Each precinct features a variety of temples, sanctuaries, and chapels, all adorned with detailed reliefs and inscriptions depicting scenes of worship, military triumphs, and celestial events.
The complex’s walls and pylons are richly decorated with carvings that illustrate the religious and political significance of the site, making Karnak not just a place of worship but also a repository of ancient Egyptian history and artistry. Its monumental architecture and intricate details evoke the profound cultural and spiritual legacy of ancient Egypt.
Rosenborg Palace was built in the period 1606-34 as Christian IV’s summerhouse just outside the ramparts of Copenhagen. Christian IV was very fond of the palace and often stayed at the castle when he resided in Copenhagen, and it was here that he died in 1648. After his death, the palace passed to his son King Frederik III, who together with his queen, Sophie Amalie, carried out several types of modernisation.
The last king who used the place as a residence was Frederik IV, and around 1720, Rosenborg was abandoned in favor of Frederiksborg Palace.Through the 1700s, considerable art treasures were collected at Rosenborg Castle, among other things items from the estates of deceased royalty and from Christiansborg after the fire there in 1794.
Soon the idea of a museum arose, and that was realised in 1833, which is The Royal Danish Collection’s official year of establishment.