Luxor is an Egyptian city located in the upper Egypt around 422 miles (679 Km) south
of Cairo on the banks of the Nile River. The current Luxor city is over the remains
of the ancient Thebes city, which was during several centuries the capital of the
ancient Egypt. Luxor is also the capital of the current Luxor Governorate. Its current
name derives from the Arabic word “El-Qusur” that means palaces referring to the
ancient palaces that existed in the city..
Tomb of the Pharaoh Tutankhamun
in the Valley
of the Kings at Luxor
The history of the city started during the 11th Dynasty of Egypt known as the Middle
Kingdom when the ancient Thebes became the capital of Egypt and it was known also
as the city of Amon because of the great worship to the god Amon in the city. Thebes
was the capital of Egypt alternately with Memphis until the 19th dynasty, when the
capital was moved to the north. But, while Thebes was the capital of Egypt, it was
for long time the most powerful and beautiful city of the world. People from all
ancient world came to Thebes to admire the capital of the greatest civilization
of that moment. Even Alexander the Great arrived to the ancient capital of Egypt.
But, during the Ptolemy Dynasty and the first centuries of the Roman Empire the city lost its old importance and only in the last centuries Luxor has recovered
the interest of the world, thanks to the growing curiosity about the ancient Egypt
and its enigmatic culture.
Today, Luxor is a median city with 376 022 inhabitants who live in an area of 416
square kilometers. This is the city with more preserved archeological monuments
of all Egypt; therefore many people refer Luxor as an open air museum. Very Near
Luxor, at north is the religious complex of Karnak that is considered the largest religious complex of the world and one of the wonders made by the man. Other important
places close Luxor, are the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens, two
impressive Necropolis on the western Bank of the Nile, where the pharaohs and theirs
wives were buried, it is in this place that was found the most famous Egyptian royal
tomb, which belonged to the Pharaoh Tutankamon,
whose discovery was probably the
most important archeological discovery of the XX century. Another famous archeological
site in Luxor is the temple of Luxor built by Amenophis III, which is one of the
best preserved temples of the country. Because of all these historical monuments
and the important museums of the city, Luxor is after Giza the most important tourist
destination of Egypt, being the tourism the main economical activity of the city.
The number of wonderful sites near Luxor is so great that 560 natural and cultural
sites around Luxor have been declared World Heritage by UNESCO. Therefore, the city
has a special autonomous regimen of government to protect better the monumental
structure of the city. Luxor has many hotels restaurants and other entertainment
places to host the great number of tourists that every year arrives to the city.
Luxor is a magical and mysterious city where the history is mixed with the modernity.
Two examples are the building of the National Bank of Egypt and the railway station;
since these two modern buildings were designed to appear ancient constructions from
the Pharaonic time
The city is well connected with the rest of the World thanks to the Luxor International
Airport, which receives national and international flights. Besides, there are several
roads to Luxor and ferries through the Nile that connect the city with all the country.
The climate in the city is very hot as all Egypt. With temperatures that commonly
reach 30 ºC (80 ºF) mainly in summer from June to August, therefore the best time
to visit Luxor is between October and March, because this is the time more fresh.
But, in any period of the year Luxor is definitely a site that you must visit if
you are in Egypt.