Luxor - Temple of Luxor - Court of Amenophis III

Beyond the colonnade lies the Court of Amenophis III, 148ft/45m long by 167ft/51m wide, which was surrounded on three sides by a double colonnade of papyrus cluster columns. The columns and architraves on the east and west sides are excellently preserved. On the fourth (south) side is the Vestibule or pronaos of the temple proper, the roof of which was borne by 32 (4 x 8) papyrus cluster columns. On the east wall are reliefs showing Amenophis III in the presence of the gods of Thebes; below, personifications of the nomes of Egypt bearing gifts. On the south wall, to the right and left of the apse, is the coronation of Amenophis by the gods. To the left is an altar dedicated to the Emperor Constantine, with a Latin inscription. On the rear wall, to the right and left, are two small chapels, the one on the left dedicated to the goddess Mut, the one on the right to the moon god Khons, with a staircase (destroyed) adjoining it. The central door in the rear wall leads into a smaller hall, originally with eight columns, which in Christian times was converted into a church. The old entrance to the inner rooms of the temple then became a kind of apsidal recess, flanked by two red granite Corinthian columns. At some points the later coating of whitewash has peeled off, revealing the fine reliefs of Amenophis Ill. Adjoining the church are a number of smaller rooms.