Egypt has reopened the restored Colossi of Memnon after years of restoration. Find out what the monument is known for, where it is located, how to get there, opening hours and tips for a comfortable visit to Luxor

Egypt once again reminds the world why it is called the cradle of civilization. In the southern city of Luxor, the restored Colossi of Memnon - monumental statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, which were destroyed by a powerful earthquake more than three thousand years ago - were officially opened to tourists.

The event was another step in the country's large-scale strategy to revive tourism and return Egypt to the status of one of the main cultural centers of the world.

What is the monument famous for, where to see it and other important news from the world of tourism in Egypt in this article.

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Who is Amenhotep III and why did he go down in history?

Amenhotep III is one of the most prominent pharaohs of Ancient Egypt, who ruled during the New Kingdom period from 1390 to 1353 BC. His reign is considered the “golden age” of Egypt – a time of peace, economic growth, active diplomacy and grandiose construction.

It was on his orders that the magnificent mortuary temple in Luxor was built, as well as other religious buildings, in particular the temple in Soleb (in the territory of modern Nubia). The mummy of the pharaoh is currently stored in the Cairo Museum.

What are the statues of the Colossi of Memnon known for?

The Colossi of Memnon are two giant seated statues of Amenhotep III, 14.5 and 13.6 meters high. They tower at the entrance to the pharaoh’s mortuary temple on the west bank of the Nile and face east – towards the river and sunrise.

The statues were carved from Egyptian alabaster, brought from the quarries of Hatnub in Middle Egypt. Unlike many other monumental sculptures, the colossi were made up of individual elements fixed in a monolithic stone core.

Around 1200 BC, a powerful earthquake destroyed not only the temple, but also the statues themselves. Over the centuries, their fragments were scattered throughout the area, and some blocks were even reused during the construction of the Karnak Temple.

The statues depict the pharaoh sitting with his hands on his hips. He wears a double-crowned nemes headdress and a pleated royal skirt, symbolizing divine power. At his feet are smaller statues depicting his wife, Queen Tiya.

Egypt's Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathi, stressed that the Colossi of Memnon will become one of Luxor's main tourist attractions for decades to come.

When did the restoration of the Colossi of Memnon statues begin?

Work on the restoration of the Colossi of Memnon began in the late 1990s as part of an Egyptian-German archaeological mission led by renowned Egyptologist Khourig Suruzian. Archaeologists literally put them back together piece by piece, returning them piece by piece.

According to Mohamed Ismail, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, the project aimed not only to assemble the statues, but also to recreate as much as possible the original appearance of the funerary complex of Amenhotep III, which is considered the largest temple complex in Ancient Egypt with an area of ​​35 hectares.

Where are the Colossi of Memnon statues located?

The restored statues once again mark the entrance to the Mortuary Temple of Amenhotep III, the largest temple complex in Ancient Egypt, spanning 35 hectares.

How to get to the Colossi of Memnon?

Luxor is easily accessible by plane to the international airport or by train, which runs twice a day and connects the city with Cairo and Aswan.

To get to the west bank of the Nile, you can take a car or bus across the bridge, or for a more authentic experience, tourists can cross on traditional rafts, as they did in ancient times.

Hours of Visiting the Colossi of Memnon

The archaeological zone is open daily from 6:00 to 17:00, which allows you to plan a visit to the monument at a convenient time of day.

Cost of visiting the Colossi of Memnon

Entrance to the Colossi of Memnon is free, but for a deeper understanding of the history of the statues, it is recommended to use the services of a guide. Some Nile cruise tours that start and end in Luxor include a visit to the Colossi as part of the program.

Tomb of Amenhotep III opened in October 2025 after 20 years of restoration

In October 2025, Egypt also opened to visitors one of the most important royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings - the tomb of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, which had been under restoration for more than 20 years.

The tomb is one of the largest in the Valley of the Kings and has an inclined corridor 36 meters long and 14 meters deep, leading to three interconnected chambers. The central burial chamber was where the pharaoh himself rested, and the two side chambers were intended for his wives - Queens Tiye and Sitamun.

The interior is striking in its artistic skill: the walls are decorated with scenes from the “Book of the Dead”, images of deities and Amenhotep III himself. The ceiling is decorated with yellow stars on a dark blue background, symbolizing the kingdom of heaven, and inscriptions from the Amduat texts were supposed to help the pharaoh navigate his way in the afterlife.

During the restoration, experts collected more than 200 fragments of the sarcophagus lid made of red granite, damaged as a result of centuries-old robberies. The restored artifact is now installed on a special metal structure.

The tomb was first documented in 1799 during Napoleon’s Egyptian campaign, and was fully excavated by archaeologist Howard Carter in 1915.

The discovery of the Colossi of Memnon and the tomb of Amenhotep III coincided with the launch of the Grand Egyptian Museum near the Giza pyramids, a megaproject worth about $1 billion.

In general, Egypt is increasingly claiming that its history is not only preserved but also coming to life again. According to official figures, a record 15.7 million tourists visited Egypt in 2024, and in the coming years the authorities plan to increase this figure to 30 million per year.

​​Discover the Colossi of Memnon, the tomb of Amenhotep III and other monuments of Luxor, knowing that your vacation is under reliable protection. Travel insurance covers medical expenses, emergency evacuation and unforeseen situations during your trip.

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Reminder! The Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza opened on November 4, 2025. We have already talked about the exhibitions, opening hours, tickets, routes and the main treasures of GEM.

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