Colossi of Memnon

The Colossi of Memnon are two massive stone statues standing proudly on the West Bank of the Nile in Luxor. Rising about 18 meters high, these twin figures represent Pharaoh Amenhotep III, seated on his throne and facing the rising sun.

Originally guarding the entrance to a vast mortuary temple (now mostly lost), the statues have stood for over 3,400 years, surviving floods, earthquakes, and centuries of history. In ancient times, one statue was said to produce a mysterious sound at dawn, leading Greek visitors to associate it with the legendary hero Memnon — giving the statues their modern name.

Today, the Colossi of Memnon serve as a dramatic introduction to Luxor’s West Bank, especially striking at sunrise when the desert landscape glows in golden light.