About
The Colossi of Memnon are two enormous stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, standing on the West Bank of Luxor in Egypt. They are also known as the Memnon Statues. Seated side by side in the open fields of the Theban Necropolis, they have kept watch over the landscape for more than 3,400 years, and they remain among the most striking sights on the west bank of the Nile.
What to expect
The statues are large, calm and unhurried in their pose, and standing before them gives a clear sense of the scale of ancient Egyptian royal monuments. Because they sit in open ground rather than inside a closed building, the visit is simple: you walk up, look, take your time and move on to the wider area.
- A short, straightforward stop that suits a half-hour break in a longer day.
- Good for photographs, especially in the softer light of morning or late afternoon.
- Easy to combine with other sites on the West Bank.
The sounds at dawn
The statues are famous for the mysterious sounds they once produced at dawn. Visitors often come with this story in mind, hoping to hear something of the kind described. It is worth knowing the stories are part of the monument's reputation, and the statues themselves are the main reason to make the trip.
Around the statues
The Colossi stand within the Theban Necropolis, the wide area on the west bank of Luxor where many ancient tombs and temples are found. Visitors who enjoy this part of Egypt can plan to see more of the surrounding sites on the same outing, which makes the statues a natural starting point for a day of exploring the west bank.
For practical details, the site can be reached at the address West Bank, Luxor, Luxor Governorate 85951, Egypt, or by telephone at +20 95 2310018.
