Madinat Habu - the temple of Rameses III

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In ancient times Madinat Habu was known as Djanet and according to ancient belief was the place were Amon first appeared. Both Hatshepsut and Tuthmosis III built a temple dedicated to Amon here and Later Rameses III constructed his larger memorial temple on the site.

During his time Djanet became the administrative centre of Western Thebes. The whole temple complex was surrounded by a massive fortified enclosure wall, with an unusual gateway at the eastern entrance, known as the pavilion gate. This structure, a copy of a Syrian migdol fortresses is something you would no expect to see in Egypt. Rameses III, a military man probably saw the virtue in such a structure. It is likely Rameses resided here from time to time because a royal palace was attached at the south of the open forecourt of this temple, while priests' dwellings and administrative buildings lay on either side of the temple. Originally a canal with a harbour outside the entrance, connected the temple to the Nile. But this was obliterated by the desert long ago.

In later times, because of its strong fortifications, it was the place of refuge during the civil war between the High Priest of Amon at Karnak and the viceroy of Kush. In the period of the Twenty Fifth and Twenty Sixth Dynasties (700 BC) the wives of Amon were worshipped in the Chapels called the Divine Adoratrices of Amon. During the Greek and Roman periods the site was expanded and between the 1^st and 9^th centuries AD a Coptic city was built and the temple was used as a Christen church.

The exterior walls are carved with religious scenes and portrayals of Rameses III's wars against the Libyans and the Sea Peoples. The first pylon depicts the king smiting his enemies and also has a list of conquered lands. The interior walls also have a wealth of well preserved bas-relief's some of which still retain there original paint work.

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Temple Entrance Migdol tower The small temple The First Pylon Gateway - First Pylon The First court The Chapel The Second court View from the rear The Hypostyle Hall