Karnak to undergo restoration

The Karnak development project will soon be officially inaugurated by President Hosni Mubarak, Nevine El-Aref reports

Even in ruins, Karnak Temples remain a spectacular sight. Within the temples enclosure is a cluster of enormous pylons, splendid sanctuaries, awe-inspiring chapels and soaring obelisks, forming a vast open-air exhibition of history set in stone. It reflects not only the extravagant life of ancient Egyptians but their distinguished civilisation.

Recent visitors to the Karnak complex, however, will be faced with a slightly different scene. The temple forefront, which was, for decades, a stage for encroachment, chaos and grime and a parking lot for cars, buses, carriages, carts and peddlers, has been transformed into one of the most beautiful areas of the Upper Egyptian town of Luxor.

Serenity and divinity is overwhelming present, and a visitor can not only admire Egypt's Pharaonic history but can go even further to watch feluccas sailing on the Nile and can cross the river to see Hatshepsut's Deir Al-Bahari Temple and the Valleys of the Kings and Queens on the west bank.

The LE85-million Karnak development project has been implemented in collaboration with the Luxor City Council (LCC) and is now almost in place. "Now, Karnak is back to its ancient glory and respect," Culture Minister Farouk Hosni told Al-Ahram Weekly. Following 18 months of studies and field work, all infringements on the archaeological site have been removed, clearing a plot for further excavation to uncover more of the temples' archaeological story, especially the ancient harbour and canal that once connected the temples to the Nile. According to an old map, ancient Egyptians used this canal to gain access to the west bank at a position corresponding to the Hatshepsut Temple, which was built on the same axis.