Colossi of Memnon

As with most things in Egypt it was breathtaking! Definitely some pushy sales people but the police kept them in line so it wasn't too bad.

Great place to see the statues on the sunrise with no entrance fee. Cheap souvenirs nearby. An ATM in 50m.
There is nothing more to see, so it will take you about 5-10 min to visit

Plan about 15 or 20 minutes to stop and get photos of these statues when you are in the Luxor area.
It’s a popular stop, so it gets busy and the parking lot is small.
There are some stairs down to the base of the statues from the parking area.
Restrooms are available.
There is no entry fee.

Definitely worth a visit. It is just a short (10 minutes) stop and it is free of charge. Statues are truly colossal, they make a glamorous composition with a mountain background.

Few statues but great historical background from Troi from the Aquiles fight that killed the prince and myth of a whistler that sounds like a son. Also, the Nile, when is flooded can reach the base of the statues, that why the black color on the button.

You can only go in front of two statues, so should be a short visit from around 20min to take pictures, read some sings but nice to see big statues quite close!

This is a must stop, must see, must do - if you are in Luxor! The statues are colossal and you can tell they have a huge story to tell! Loved my visit here!

Standing sentinel across the sands, the Colossi of Memnon whispered ancient tales on my visit on December 21st. These towering statues, weathered yet majestic, exude an undeniable power. Imagine, gazing into their silent gaze, imagining the pharaoh they once guarded, and feeling the weight of centuries unfold. Though their voices are lost, their presence speaks volumes. Don't miss this awe-inspiring encounter with Egypt's ancient giants!

The Colossi are right next to one of the main thoroughfares. It is quite easy to reach with a large parking space and also a good amount of space nearby to view the memnon. In recent years, there is a substantial amount of excavation that is going on behind the statues. Hence, it may become further important site, in future. It is a good photo op opportunity.

Located in the west Bank of the ancient Great city of Luxor a temple for one of the greatest Royal king Amenemoptep the second this is his memorial temple he is the same king how built Luxor temple

It's free to walk around and take pictures but please be aware of the sellers and don't take anything in your hands as that means you agreed to buy it feels like they are begging not selling. And if you like something make sure you haggle. So if they say 100 Egyptian pounds say 10 EGP s. That's what they do they inflate the price sky high than easily lower it to 1/10 1/50.

West of Luxor on the way to the Valley of the Kings there is an extremely important archaeological site of Pharaoh Amenhotep III with two massive stone statues. These two giant fascinating statues are called The Colossi of Memnon (Arabic: el-Colossat or es-Salamat). They are two massive stone statues of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III, which stand in front of the ruined Mortuary Temple of Amenhotep III, the largest temple in the Theban Necropolis. They have stood since 1350 BC, and were well known to ancient Greeks and Romans, as well as early modern travelers and Egyptologists. The statues contain 107 Roman-era inscriptions in Greek and Latin, dated to between AD 20 and 250, many of these inscriptions on the northernmost statue make reference to the Greek mythological king Memnon, whom the statue was then – erroneously – thought to represent. In Greek mythology, Memnon was a king of Aethiopia and son of Tithonus and Eos. As a warrior he was considered to be almost Achilles' equal in skill. During the Trojan War, he brought an army to Troy's defense and killed Antilochus, Nestor's son, during a fierce battle. Nestor challenged Memnon to a fight, but Memnon refused, being there was little honor in killing the aged man. Nestor then pleaded with Achilles to avenge his son's death. Despite warnings that soon after Memnon fell so too would Achilles, the two men fought. Memnon drew blood from Achilles, but Achilles drove his spear through Memnon's chest, sending the Aethiopian army running. The death of Memnon echoes that of Hector, another defender of Troy whom Achilles also killed out of revenge for a fallen comrade, Patroclus. The twin statues Colossi of Memnon depict Amenhotep III (fl. 14th century BC) in a seated position, his hands resting on his knees and his gaze facing eastwards (actually ESE in modern bearings) towards the river. Two shorter figures are carved into the front throne alongside his legs, these are his wife Tiye and mother Mutemwiya. The side panels depict the Nile god Hapi. The statues are made from blocks of quartzite sandstone which was quarried at el-Gabal el-Ahmar (near modern-day Cairo) and transported 675 km overland to Thebes (Luxor). The stones are believed to be too heavy to have been transported upstream on the Nile. The blocks used by later Roman engineers to reconstruct the northern colossus may have come from Edfu (north of Aswan). Both statues are quite damaged, with the features above the waist virtually unrecognizable. The southern statue comprises a single piece of stone, but the northern figure has a large extensive crack in the lower half and above the waist consists of 5 tiers of stone. The original function of the Colossi was to stand guard at the entrance to Amenhotep's memorial temple (or mortuary temple), a massive construct built during the pharaoh's lifetime, where he was worshipped as a god-on-earth both before and after his departure from this world. In its day, this temple complex was the largest and most opulent in Ancient Egypt.

As with most sites in Luxor (both East and west banks) get there around 6:30-7:00am and you’ll have it to yourself. Most places open at 6am. Additionally, if you arrive early- all vendors are still closed - no hassles from people trying to sell you anything.
This is a free site, no tickets required.

Free site to visit and it’s lovely.

Magnificent statues. Amazing to see what was made thousands of years ago. The height at which these stand is unbelievable. Great Egyptian architectural geniuses back then.

Wasn’t very busy but it’s worth a visit. The statues have worn away but still stand majestically.

The Colossi of Memnon (Arabic: el-Colossat or es-Salamat) are two massive stone statues of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III, which stand at the front of the ruined Mortuary Temple of Amenhotep III, the largest temple in the Theban Necropolis. They have stood since 1350 BC, and were well known to ancient Greeks and Romans, as well as early modern travelers and Egyptologists.[1][2] The statues contain 107 Roman-era inscriptions in Greek and Latin, dated to between AD 20 and 250; many of these inscriptions on the northernmost statue make reference to the Greek mythological king Memnon, whom the statue was then – erroneously – thought to represent.

These massive statues are damaged by years of wind and sand erosion, but still standing today. The square is a good photo opts spot, with many local vendors selling food, drinks, and tourist items. It is a good spot to enjoy local culture and crusines.

The Colossi of Memnon are a pair of massive stone statues located on the west bank of the Nile River in Luxor, Egypt. They are among the most famous and iconic ancient Egyptian landmarks in the area.

Key features and information about the Colossi of Memnon:

1. Location: The Colossi of Memnon are situated on the west bank of the Nile River, just outside the modern city of Luxor (ancient Thebes), on the road leading to the Valley of the Kings.

2. Historical Significance: The statues were built during the reign of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, who ruled during the 18th Dynasty of ancient Egypt, around 1350 BCE. They were originally part of a larger mortuary temple dedicated to the pharaoh.

3. Size and Materials: Each of the Colossi of Memnon stands about 18 meters (60 feet) tall and is carved from a single block of quartzite sandstone. They depict Pharaoh Amenhotep III seated on his throne, with his hands resting on his knees.

4. Name "Memnon": The statues earned the name "Colossi of Memnon" in antiquity. The name "Memnon" refers to a legendary Ethiopian king from Greek mythology. According to the ancient Greeks, the statues made "musical sounds" when the sun's rays touched them at dawn, which they believed to be the "voice of Memnon."

5. Earthquake Damage: In 27 BCE, an earthquake damaged the northern statue, causing it to emit a sound when the wind blew through the cracks. The "singing" sound gave rise to the belief that the statues were making sounds due to the mythical "voice of Memnon." The sound phenomenon ceased after Roman Emperor Septimius Severus repaired the statues.

6. Open to Visitors: The Colossi of Memnon are open to tourists, and they remain a popular stop for visitors exploring the ancient sites of Luxor. Travelers can approach the statues, take photographs, and learn about their historical significance through guided tours or information plaques.

7. Nearby Attractions: The Colossi of Memnon are located near the entrance to the Valley of the Kings, where many ancient Egyptian pharaohs were buried in elaborate tombs. Visitors often combine a visit to the Colossi with tours of other nearby archaeological sites, such as the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Valley of the Queens.

The Colossi of Memnon stand as silent sentinels of ancient Egyptian history, bearing witness to the grandeur and architectural achievements of the New Kingdom period. Their imposing presence and historical significance make them a must-see attraction for those interested in ancient Egyptian civilization.

Free place to take remarkable pictures

Great place. The colossi are still being excavated. They are still discovering things behind the two statues.
It seems a temple was behind those statues. Compared to 10 years ago, 2 new statues have been found behind the colossi, which is amazing to see. As usual you will find the sellers trying to sell you things as soon as you step out of your car and they will follow you to try to sell you anything. Make sure to tell them you are not interested otherwise you won't be let alone to see those ruins in peace.

"The Colossi of Memnon" is a captivating archaeological site in Luxor, Egypt. The colossal statues, remnants of a once-magnificent temple, evoke a sense of awe and wonder. Standing at around 60 feet tall, these imposing figures are not only a testament to ancient Egyptian craftsmanship but also carry a mysterious aura, as they are associated with the legendary "singing" at dawn. Exploring this historical marvel provides a glimpse into the grandeur of ancient civilizations, making it a must-visit for history enthusiasts and travelers alike.

The twin statues depict Amenhotep III (fl. 14th century BCE) in a seated ps hands resting on his knees and his gaze facing eastwards (actually ESE in modern bearings) towards the river. Two shorter figures are carved into the front throne alongside his legs: these are his wife Tiye and mother Mutemwiya. The side panels depict the Nile god Hapi. The statues are made from blocks of quartzite sandstone which was quarried at el-Gabal el-Ahmar (near modern-day Cairo) and transported 675 km (420 mi) overland to Thebes (Luxor). The stones are believed to be too heavy to have been transported upstream on the Nile. The blocks used by later Roman engineers to reconstruct the northern colossus may have come from Edfu (north of Aswan). Including the stone platforms on which they stand – themselves about 4 m (13 ft) – the colossi reach 18 m (60 ft) in height and weigh an estimated 720 tons each.The two figures are about 15 m (50 ft) apart. Both statues are quite damaged, with the features above the waist virtually unrecognizable. The southern statue comprises a single piece of stone, but the northern figure has a large extensive crack in the lower half and above the waist consists of 5 tiers of stone. The original function of the Colossi was to stand guard at the entrance Amenhotep's memorial temple  (or mortuary temple): a massive construct built during the pharaoh's lifetime, where he was worshipped as a god-on-earth both before and after his departure from this world. In its day, this temple complex was the largest and most opulent in Ancient Egypt. With the exception of the Colossi, however, very little remains today of Amenhotep's temple.