TEMPLE OF HATHOR

Like Abydos its neighbour, it rises on a site where already Khufu would have built a temple in 2600 BC. The similarities stop there however, Denderah not having the monumental aspect of the temple of Sety I, nor the quality of these bas-reliefs. Its construction dates from the 1st century BC. It was built over more than a century, up to the early years of the Christian era.

A mud-brick enclosure delimits the temple area where, until the 6th century, a large Coptic community lived. As you enter, on the right, you will notice a fairly well-preserved building, the Mammisi, whose frescoes relate the birth and childhood of Horus. Just next to it are some remains of a Coptic church from the ^5th century, of which little remains, and a little further on, a rather dilapidated complex of mud-brick that housed a spa for medical use. Going along the temple, still on the right, you will find the site of the sacred lake, dried up, from which some palm trees emerge and, just behind the main temple, a small construction, partially in ruins, dedicated to Isis. There you can admire some high quality bas-reliefs.

At the entrance to the great temple as well as inside, the columns supporting the roof are all bearing the effigy of Hathor. They have unfortunately been damaged. The ceilings are covered with astronomical scenes where you will have no trouble recognizing Nut, the goddess of the sky. As a special favour, the guards will ask you to go down to one of the fourteen crypts in the temple. Abundantly decorated, they were used to store highly sacred objects, such as the goddess's clothing, for example, whose statues were displayed during ceremonies.

The courtyard, preceded by a ruined pylon, gives access to a hypostyle room containing 18 monumental columns. Through a doorway one reaches the hall of the feast or apparition, supported by 6 columns, giving onto the offering room, in its extension, then the Enneade room, and finally to the chapel, also called the "venerable seat". The seat is surrounded by a "mysterious corridor" serving numerous chapels and logistical rooms

A staircase leads to the terrace. On the walls, the bas-reliefs represent a religious procession. On the one on the left, you will notice that the figures are all heading upwards. On the one on the right, everyone goes down! The famous zodiac, the original of which is in the Louvre, is in a small room overlooking the terrace.