Hypostyle Hall- Travel Tips
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- 5 Reviews
Reviews of Hypostyle Hall
Ahmed Almuharaq - 5
The Hypostyle Hall is a distinctive architectural feature found in many ancient Egyptian temples, notably in the Karnak Temple complex in Luxor, Egypt. Characterized by a dense forest of columns supporting a flat roof, the Hypostyle Hall served as a monumental ceremonial space for religious rituals, gatherings, and offerings to the gods. These halls were typically constructed with rows of tall, closely spaced columns, creating a sense of grandeur and awe-inspiring scale. The columns were often elaborately decorated with intricate carvings and hieroglyphs, depicting scenes from mythology, historical events, and religious ceremonies. One of the most famous examples of a Hypostyle Hall is the Great Hypostyle Hall at Karnak Temple. This colossal hall covers an area of over 50,000 square feet and contains 134 massive columns, some reaching heights of over 20 meters. The hall was built over several centuries by various pharaohs, including Seti I and his son Ramesses II, and is considered one of the most impressive architectural achievements of ancient Egypt. The Hypostyle Hall served not only as a religious space but also as a symbol of the pharaoh's power and authority. Its vast size and elaborate decoration were intended to inspire awe and reverence among worshippers and visitors alike, underscoring the importance of the temple as the earthly residence of the gods.
Iryna Panina - 5
A calling card of the Karnak temple) Every column looks like a work of art. They inscribed with hieroglyphs and talked a story about pharaohs.
Goran A. - 5
So amazing and so grandiose. There are no words that can describe the beauty of these ruins, which as a matter of fact are probably one of the best work the ancient Egyptians did in their time. Divided into two secrions, to the left and right, there are columns that are open "flower" at the top, which means that the roof was made out of wood, and there were "windows" sort of like, made of stone slabs and there were 365 holes so that Amon Ra would light the temple 365 days throughout the year. On the other side, there are columns that are closed which means that this part of the temple was roofed with stone, and the "closed top of the columns" allowed this to stay in its place for a long time. There is a work that is being done currently, and the Egyptians are trying to restore, not paint the old column paintings.
Asghar Khan - 3
The Hypostyle Hall was built after the fall of the first Arab invaders from khem . This hall was built in order to create the resurrection chamber that is the forefront to all of the world's religious books.
Nita B Choudhury - 5
The Hypostyle Hall is one of the landmarks of the Karnak Temple Complex. It is awesome in it's grandeur! It was supposed to have been planned by Pharaoh Ramses1 and constructed by Seti1 and Ramses2. It is gigantic and there are 134 pillars, each carved in intricate detail. The paintings on the inner walls were built for the priests and members of the Royal Family and have religious significance. While the outer walls are adorned with scenes of battle, where the Pharaoh is depicted as being powerful and strong as he wins over his enemies. The pillars are in the shape of papyrus, as the ancient Egyptians believed that they were associated with the beginning of Life itself. During the annual flooding of the Nile, this Hall would get filled with water, we can still see the marks made by water, on them. Being in the open has naturally affected the pillars. The ravages of water, wind and desert sand is evident here. The pillars would have been painted in vivid colors, obviously not much of this remains, though you will catch a glimpse of it in the ceiling where the pillars form arches. It is really hot in Karnak, under the Sun, so please carry water, wear lots of sunscreen and a hat is a must. Avoid bringing children with you. We saw a number of families with children hiding in the shade of trees. Everyone was miserable, parents and children! The washrooms are in the entrance complex and are reasonably clean. You will find water and other cold beverages in small kiosks out there as well.
