The Colossi of Memnon

The Colossi of Memnon are two massive seated statues representing Pharaoh Amenhotep III, rising proudly at the entrance of what was once his grand mortuary temple on the West Bank of Luxor. Carved from single blocks of quartzite sandstone, these towering figures have endured centuries of natural forces, invasions, and floods, remaining among Egypt’s most iconic ancient monuments.

Each statue depicts the pharaoh seated on his throne, hands resting on his knees, gazing eternally toward the rising sun. At his feet are smaller carved figures representing his mother and wife, symbolizing royal lineage and divine protection. The statues once marked the gateway to a vast temple complex that was among the largest ever built in ancient Egypt.

In antiquity, one of the statues became famous for emitting a mysterious sound at dawn, a phenomenon believed to be caused by temperature changes within the stone. Ancient travelers associated this sound with the mythical Greek hero Memnon, giving the statues the name by which they are known today and adding an aura of legend and wonder to the site.

Visiting the Colossi of Memnon offers a powerful introduction to Luxor’s West Bank, where temples, tombs, and royal necropolises unfold across the desert plain. Standing before these colossal guardians, travelers connect with the scale, symbolism, and timeless presence of ancient Egyptian civilization.