Temple of Hibis

About this place

The Temple of Hibis is the largest and best-preserved ancient Egyptian temple in the Kharga Oasis, about 2 km north of the town of Kharga in New Valley Governorate, Egypt, and about 210 km west of Luxor in a straight line. It is the only building in Egypt from the Saite-Persian period (664–404 BC) to have survived in relatively good condition. Work began under the 26th Dynasty, and the Persian king Darius I later took an active part in building it and decorating its walls; later rulers of the 30th Dynasty and the Ptolemaic and Roman periods added to it. The ancient city of Hibis once surrounded it and now lies under the fields. The temple's massive sandstone walls and successive gateways stand among green palm groves, topped by the familiar Egyptian cornices. It has undergone long restoration, so wooden supports sometimes stand against its walls. Visitors see the temple on a tour of Kharga, often together with the nearby Bagawat necropolis. Summers are very hot, so visit in the morning during the cooler months. Some governments advise caution for travel in the Western Desert, so check current travel advice before the trip.