private Trip to Dandara

Dandara is one of the best sights in Luxor, which was originally called Tentyris, was one of the most important religious centers in ancient Egypt. It is located on the west bank of the Nile, south of Qena in Egypt. The sanctuary of the city was presented by three sanctuaries: the sanctuary of Horus, the god of heaven and the protector of the pharaohs, the sanctuary of Ahai, the son of Horus the young who plays the role of sister, and sanctuary of Hathor. Only the latter practically survived, while only a few traces of the other two were left.

Dandara Temple of Egypt

History of Dandara

Since ancient times, Dandara must have a sanctuary, which was destroyed and rebuilt several times; However, the present complex dates back to the late Ptolemaic and Roman periods. This explains the spread of a gorgeous, less stylized style than the earliest Egyptian temples, clearly evident in this lithograph, which shows the interior of the first snake room, a magnificent room more than 80 feet deep, comprising 18 colossal columns covered with basal reliefs .

The Dandara temples do not contain the edifice usually found in sacred Egyptian architecture; the front part of the building is made up of a massive structure measuring 139 feet wide and 60 feet high, with six columns on the façade on which an impressive frieze is located. The interstate columns are filled to the middle of the road with panels covered with hieroglyphic texts and reliefs, while the entrance opens in the center, forming a high and empty space wider than the adjacent ones.

Inside, 18 additional columns stand in three rows; all capitals reproduce the features of the patron goddess of the place. Since it is higher than the rest of the temple, this column room, which was added under Tiberius, somewhat functions as a missing edifice.

It takes 2.5h one way from Hurghada to Dandara with private car.