Karnak - Temple of Ptah
Of the buildings to the north of the Temple of Amun only the Temple of Ptah is worth a visit; the others are so poorly preserved as to be of interest only to a specialist. From the north door of the Great Hypostyle Hall an ancient paved road leads northeast towards the Temple of Ptah, which is still within the precinct of the temple of Amun. To the left of the road are a small brick built fortress and three small chapels of the Late Period.
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The largest of these chapels, to the south, was built towards the end of the 26th Dynasty by Pedeneit, a Majordomo in the royal household. On the entrance doorway are reliefs of Psammetichus III and Queen Enkhnesneferebre in the presence of Amun and other gods. Beyond this is a brick built hall with four stone columns. On the doorway into the sanctuary are depicted Nitocris, wife of Psammetichus II (right), and Amasis (left). The central chapel was built by a Court official named Sheshonq in the reign of Amasis. On the left hand jamb is a relief of the King, on the right hand one Enkhnesneferebre, to whose household Sheshonq belonged. This chapel, too, is built of sun dried brick; only the doorways, columns and sanctuary are of stone. The third chapel, to the north, is the oldest of the three, built in the reign of Taharqa (25th Dynasty). It is decorated with reliefs of Princess Shepenwepet and the King.
The Temple of Ptah, tutelary god of Memphis, was built by Tuthmosis III and enlarged and restored by the Ethiopian ruler Shabaka and some of the Ptolemies.
The Temple of Ptah, tutelary god of Memphis, was built by Tuthmosis III and enlarged and restored by the Ethiopian ruler Shabaka and some of the Ptolemies.
Related Attractions
Temple of Ptah - Sanctuary
In the center of the court a door leads into the Sanctuary; on the doorway are reliefs (restored) dating from the reign of Tuthmosis III, while the sanctuary preserves original reliefs of that period. In the sanctuary is the cult image of Ptah (now headless), which is lit, with magical effect, by an aperture in the roof. To the right is a room containing a statue of the lion headed goddess Sakhmet, to the left another room with reliefs of Tuthmosis Ill.
Temple of Ptah - Small Pylon
The temple is approached from the west through five successive gateways, the second and fourth of which were built by Shabaka (whose name has been erased), the others by the Ptolemies. Beyond this is a passage formed by four columns with rich foliage capitals, linked by screens. At the end of the passage is a small Pylon, with the names of Tuthmosis III (restored in the Ptolemaic period) on the doorway.
Temple of Ptah Court
The entrance passage leads into a Court, on the rear side of which is a portico with two 16 sided columns. In the portico are two altar bases of red granite with dedications by Amenemhet I and Tuthmosis III. In the walls are six niches, and there is a staircase leading to an upper story.