Gazing up at the Luxor Obelisk, have you ever wondered about its twin? The Luxor Obelisk, right here before you, is only half the story. Its twin stands over 7,000 kilometers away in the Place de la Concorde in Paris. These ancient Egyptian obelisks, over 3,000 years old, were carved during the reign of Ramesses II. They originally flanked the entrance of the Luxor Temple, monuments to his power and connection to the gods. Imagine the scene: two towering red granite pillars, adorned with intricate hieroglyphs, catching the desert sun. The hieroglyphs tell tales of Ramesses II’s military victories and offer praises to Amun-Ra. They were not identical twins, but distinct. The obelisk here in Luxor is slightly taller and leans, a testament to time and the elements. The Parisian obelisk, while shorter, stood on a higher pedestal at the Luxor Temple, creating an illusion of perfect symmetry. The transport of the Parisian obelisk was an epic journey. A custom-built ship, named the Luxor, carried the massive stone to France. The project, a diplomatic gift from Muhammad Ali Pasha to France, took years and cost a fortune, equivalent to over €15 million today. While the obelisk in Paris stands proudly in a bustling city square, its twin remains here in Luxor. It serves as a powerful reminder of Egypt’s rich past. This obelisk connects us to the pharaohs and the ancient world.
Amenhetep III
How many pharaohs can boast they were worshipped as gods even before their death? Behold Amenhetep III, the ninth pharaoh