Edfu

Edfu (also spelled "Idfu") is an Egyptian town in the region of Upper Egypt, located on the west bank of the river Nile some 100 km south of Luxor, 53 km south of Esna and 115 km north of Aswan.

Apart from its ancient remains, Edfu is best known as a largely agricultural town, its main products being sugar cane and pottery.

The Temple of Edfu and open market are within walking distance from where river boats dock.

• Temple of Edfu, open October-May 7am-4pm, June-September 7am-5pm, admission LE 35 - the large Ptolemaic period Temple of Horus at Edfu is the best-preserved ancient temple structure in Egypt (closely followed by the Temple of Dendera. The sun-deity Horus, usually depicted as a falcon or as a falcon-headed man, enjoyed popular worship in ancient Egypt as one of the chief deities, the son of Osiris. The temple as it stands was started in 237 BCE by Ptolemy III on the site of an earlier New Kingdom structure, and completed almost two centuries later in 57 BCE by Ptolemy XII (father of the famous Cleopatra). Entrance to the temple is by means of a massive pylon, standing 36 m high and decorated with reliefs of a traditional nature depicting Ptolemy XII smiting his enemies - the monumental gateway is guarded by twin granite falcons, well above life-size....

• Kom Ombo, another riverside temple town, lies some 65 km south of Edfu and makes a great stop-off on the way south to Aswan

• Edfu is not so little city on the banks of the river Nile (like almost every city there :-)). Temple is very big and beautifull, and people drive you with the carriage to see it. The city is very dirty, and native peoples just want your money on eyery corner. • Honglee S.
• not much of a town here , but a beautiful temple in very good condition on the banks of the Nile river. The Nile is full of saling ships trading local produce , sand , plam trees and ancient egyptian ruins everywhere.. cool place • Oliver H.
• Horustempel - der noch am besten erhaltene Tempel • Sabrina