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City guide LUXOR Egypt's spiritual capital is an enthralling blend of ancient history, architectural feats and a vibrant market culture, characterised by its temples and richly decorated tombs. Often referred to as the world's greatest open-air museum, historic Luxor is one of the most important cities of ancient and modern Egypt. Its foundations are built upon the once powerful city of Thebes, the New Kingdom capital of the great pharaohs from 1539–1075 BC. In antiquity, the Nile River divided Thebes into a "City of the Living" and a "City of the Dead." The former referred to the east bank, where most of the city's thriving population— and times, Egypt's rulers—made their home. The west bank, known today as Kurna, earned its title as it served as a necropolis, where visitors can now stroll among the lavish tombs of royalty and other nobility. MUST-SEES One of the best ways to experience the city's millennia-old magic and cultural wonders is with a visit to the Luxor Museum. Located downtown, its doors have been open to the public since 1975, when it was founded under the initiative of the Ministry of Culture of Egypt. Its thoughtfully curated collection showcases artefacts spanning from the Old Kingdom (2649–2130 BC) to the Mamluk dynasty (1250 –1517 AD). Among its most notable exhibits are those displaying the mummies of Ahmose I and Ramesses I. Also on display are several priceless objects excavated from King Tutankhamun's tomb in the Valley of the Kings. The Temple of Karnak is another highlight for history aficionados. Among the world's largest ancient temple complexes, it is home to a vast mix of religious buildings, pylons and chapels, embellished over centuries by every major pharaoh. Perhaps the most revered jewel of this historic city is the well-preserved Temple of Luxor, a spectacular example of ancient Egyptian architecture. Accompanied by an expert Egyptologist, you can decipher the intricate hieroglyphs adorning its massive pylons, some of which are said to depict the opulent Opet Festival, 32 | Viking Explorer Society News Temple Ramses II Statue