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Egypt, Aswan, Edfu Temple, 1856

French photographer Frédéric Auguste took a centuries-old photograph (from the 19th century) of the Edfu Temple in Aswan during his trip to Egypt from 1855-1856 AD.

The Temple of Edfu, or the Temple of Horus, is the second largest temple in ancient Egypt, after the Temple of Karnak. It is located in the city of Edfu in Upper Egypt on the west bank of the Nile. The temple represents one of the last attempts by the Ptolemies to build temples in the style and grandeur of their predecessors. The construction of the Temple of Horus took approximately 180 years.

The Temple of Edfu was one of several temples built during the Ptolemaic Kingdom, including the temple complexes of Dendera, Esna, Kom Ombo, and Philae, whose size reflects the relative prosperity of the time.

The present temple, which began construction in 237 BC, initially consisted of a hypostyle hall, two transverse halls, and a sanctuary surrounded by small niches. Construction of the temple began during the reign of Ptolemy III Euergetes and was completed in 57 BC during the reign of Ptolemy XII the Piper. It was built on the site of an earlier, smaller temple also dedicated to Horus, although the earlier temple was oriented east-west rather than north-south as is the case at the current site.

This ruined edifice lies to the east of the current temple. Inscriptional evidence suggests a building program under the New Kingdom kings Ramesses I, Seti I, and Ramesses II.

The Temple of Edfu is almost intact and a very good example of an ancient Egyptian temple. Its archaeological value and excellent state of preservation have made it a tourist center in Egypt and a frequent stopover for many riverboats plying the Nile.

In 2005, the access road to the temple was renovated with the addition of a visitor center and paved parking. A sophisticated lighting system was added in late 2006 to allow night visits.