The Karnak Restaurant Experience

Karnak - The History behind the name

The Temple of Karnak was known as Ipet-isut (Most Select of Places) by the ancient Egyptians. It is a city of temples built over 2000 years and dedicated to the Theben triad of Amon, Muf and Khonsu.

In Ancient times wars were not fought between countriesbut were considered as contests between gods. One deity subduing and replacing another, the victorious god and its people growing in strength. This is how Amon, with the help of Thutmose III and various New Kingdom kings, rose to become the first supreme god of the known world ans was hailed as God of gods.

Little is known of him, unlke most other gods he has no legends or miracles to impress his worshippers and seems to be closer to an abstract idea of a godhead. His followers came from all the strata of society and he was known to some as 'Vizier of the Poor'

For the largely uneducated ancient Egyptian population this could only have been the place of the gods. It is the mother of all religious buildings, the largest ever made and a place of pilgrimage for nearly 4000 years.

Although todays pilgrims are mainly tourists. It covers about 200 acres, 1.5klm by 0.8klm. The area of the sacred enclosure of Amon alone is 61 Acres and would hold 10 average european cathedrals. The great temple at the heart of karnak is so big, St Peter's, Milan and Notredame cathedrals could be lost within it walls. The Hypostyle Hall at 54,000 square feet with its 134 columns is still the largest room of any religious building in the world. In additon to the main sanctuary there are several smaller Temples and a vast sacred lake.