19 May 2025
Yay! No crowds! Dandara Temple in the province of Qena, Egypt, was one of the few places we visited without crowds. Perhaps this was due to this site being a bit of a drive from Luxor, or our 3:00 visit. This UNESCO World Heritage site is dedicated to the goddess Hathor. This temple complex has many astronomical references. The zodiac relief is a replica, with the original displayed at the Louvre in Paris. The temple walls are filled with colorful hieroglyphics, stone reliefs, and paintings. There is a staircase that leads to the rooftop and panoramic views. We had a knowledgeable Egyptologist guide who explained the history and significant features of the temple, which would be helpful to get the most out of this impressive site built by the Egyptians and used by the Christians and Romans.