Overview:

The Colossi of Memnon are two massive stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, who reigned in Egypt during the Eighteenth Dynasty of the New Kingdom period (1390-1352 BC). The twin statues depict Amenhotep III in a seated position, his hands resting on his knees and his gaze facing eastwards towards the river Nile and the rising sun. The colossi originally stood approximately 18 meters (60 feet) tall, but today they are smaller due to centuries of erosion. They are believed to have been erected to commemorate the jubilee celebration of Amenhotep's 30th year as Pharaoh of Egypt. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Egypt
Prominent Features:

1. Two colossi which stand prominently in the plain of Thebes in Egypt. 2. Measuring a total of 66 feet in height, the two colossi are believed to depict Pharaoh Amenhotep III, who reigned in Egypt from 1390 – 1353 B.C. 3. These statues are made of a white quartzite sandstone, known as alabaster. 4. The two colossi were originally part of a mortuary temple which used to stand alongside its banks. 5. It is believed that their legs were recovered from the ruins of the temple and their upper parts were restored in the early 19th century. 6. Its function varies depending on the source, with some thinking that it was a temple to the pharaoh and his partner, and other suggesting that it was a mortuary temple dedicated to Amenhotep III's mother, Queen Tiye. 7. Famous for giving off acoustic sounds, the colossi have been described as “singing statues”. 8. They have been featured in historical books, like the Odyssey, and in fiction like Agatha Christie’s novel Death on the Nile. 9. They are protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Egypt.

History:

The Colossi of Memnon, located in Thebes, Egypt, are two colossal statues of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III. The statues were built around 1350 BCE, during the Eighteenth Dynasty of the New Kingdom of Egypt, and they are some of the most iconic monuments of Ancient Egypt. The two statues are 15 meters high and are made of quartzite sandstone. They depict Amenhotep III seated on a large throne, with his arms and feet visible. When the Colossi of Memnon were first built, they were part of a larger mortuary temple complex dedicated to the Pharaoh Amenhotep III, and later King Amenhotep IV, or Akhenaten. Unfortunately, over time, the temple declined in importance and the statues themselves became neglected. During the reign of the Ptolemaic dynasty from 305-30 BCE, the statues were damaged by earthquakes and floods. This damage was compounded by time, and by the early Roman Period, the statues had been buried in sand up to their chests. In 27 BCE, the Roman Emperor Augustus restored the statues, and he was the one who gave them their new name: The Colossi of Memnon, after the hero Memnon from the Trojan War. The Colossi of Memnon has been an important site in Egyptian history from the time they were built until today. Throughout history, they have been visited by Roman Emperors, Imperial Dignitaries, and even Napoleon himself. They remain one of the most iconic monuments of Ancient Egypt and are a well-known tourist destination. Visit one of the famous monuments of Egypt with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The Colossi of Memnon are two towering statues located in the Theban Necropolis, which is on the west bank of the Nile River near the city of Luxor. 2. The Color of the Colossi of Memnon is reddish granite although at one time the statues were painted white and blue. 3. The Colossi of Memnon are thought to depict Pharaoh Amenhotep III, and were constructed between 1350 and 1333 BC. 4. It is believed that the Colossi of Memnon were originally part of an upcoming gateway for Amenhotep III. 5. In 27 BC, the Colossi of Memnon were damaged by an earthquake, and since then the statues have produced a strange sound upon their sunrise, which is believed to be the voice of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III. 6. Legend has it that Orisis breathed life and gave the statues the power to speak. 7. Archaeologists have discovered a variety of ruins around the Colossi of Memnon, ranging from a palace and a temple to several hieroglyphic inscriptions. 8. The Colossi of Memnon have stood in their current spot since 25 BC, despite being damaged by a Turkish cannonball during the 16th century and later being moved by Italian archaeologists. 9. In the 20th century, archaeologists were able to partially restore the Colossi of Memnon using a scaffold constructed around the statues. 10. The Colossi of Memnon are one of the most iconic images of Egypt and are widely visited by tourists today. One of the historical monuments of Egypt, it tells the story of a bygone era