Esna Temple
The temple of the god Khnum, sunk well below the modern town, with astronomical ceilings whose colours have been brought back to life.
- ≈9 mbelow today’s street level
- 24columns in the hall
- Khnumthe potter god of creation
- ≈1 hdrive south of Luxor
Why it matters
Esna Temple was dedicated to Khnum, the ram-headed god shown shaping humans on a potter's wheel. Only the hypostyle hall, built in the Roman period, survives; the rest of the temple still lies beneath the modern town. The temple sits in a pit about nine metres below street level, and Esna is around an hour's drive south of Luxor.
The walls and columns carry religious texts, including hymns to Khnum, and the columns bear the names of Roman emperors. Recent restoration revealed the original colours of the astronomical ceilings with their sky scenes and zodiac imagery, making it one of the most colourful temples in Egypt.
Plan your visit
| Hours | Daily 07:00 – 17:00 |
|---|---|
| Ticket | Foreign adult EGP 200 Student EGP 100 (valid ID) |
| Photos | Phone photography free |
| Time | 30–45 minutes |
| Best time | As a stop on the way to Edfu |
| Where | Esna town centre, about 55 km south of Luxor |
Prices and hours checked October 2026. Always confirm at the ticket office. Card payment only at most ticket offices.
What to look for
- 1
Down into the pit
Stairs lead down to the temple, buried for centuries under the town.
- 2
The facade
Roman emperors appear here as pharaohs, named in hieroglyphs.
- 3
The columns
Each column ends in a different floral capital, covered in hymns to Khnum.
- 4
The painted ceiling
Recently cleaned: zodiac signs and sky scenes in bright original colours.
Good to know
- Look up — the ceiling is the star of this temple.
- The walk from the parking passes through the old market.
Hear the full story on the free audio guide
Free app, 11 languages, works offline — no signal needed inside the tombs and temples.
