Viewing the Colossi of Memnon statues
Trip Start
Jan 26, 2010
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46
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Trip End
Feb 16, 2010
Where I stayed
The Medea Cruise ship in Egypt
Luxor, Nile River Valley, Egypt
Saturday, February 6, 2010
After leaving the Valley of the Queens and on our way back to the M.S. Medea, a brief stop was made along the way which allowed us to view the famous Colossi of Memnon statues.
These two gigantic twin statues made of sandstone were built in 1350 BC across the Nile River and close to Luxor. Reaching a towering 18 meters (60 ft) in height and weighing an estimated 700 tons each, only 15 meters (50 ft) separated them.
It was nice to be able to see them first hand even though both were quite damaged by nature with features above the waist being virtually unrecognizable. Unfortunately, one of the statues was in a restoration state and being surrounded by platforms, wasn't very picture friendly. :-(
Their original function was to stand guard at the entrance of a memorial temple close by and still in an excavation state.
Thankful for having seen the Colossi of Memnon statues!
Monique :-)
