Colossi of Memnon - Luxor Attractions

What Are the Colossi of Memnon?

Memnon colossi of king amenophis III - 16 days standard historical egypt tour package

These two massive, 19.5-meter (64-foot) high statues are not, in fact, “Memnon.” They are sculptures of the powerful Pharaoh Amenhotep III, who ruled during the 18th Dynasty.

They show the pharaoh seated on his royal throne, his hands on his knees, standing watch. If you look closely at the sides of the throne, you can also see smaller figures carved: his wife, Queen Tiye, and his mother, Mutemwiya.

The “Lost” Temple: A Story of Scale

Memnon colossi of king amenophis III 3 min

The most amazing fact about the Colossi is what’s missing.

These statues were not just placed in a field. They were the monumental entrance pylon (gateway) to the mortuary temple of Amenhotep III. This temple, now almost completely gone, was once the largest and most opulent temple complex in all of Egypt—even bigger than Karnak!

However, because it was built too close to the Nile, the annual floods slowly washed the mud-brick temple away over a thousand years, leaving only its two giant stone guardians behind.

Pro-Tip: When you visit, look behind the statues. You’ll see a vast, flat archaeological site. This is the “lost” temple, and you can still see the foundations, column bases, and even newly-discovered statues that show its staggering, original scale.

The Legend of the “Singing Statue”

So, if they are Amenhotep III, where did the name “Memnon” come from? This is where the story gets fascinating.

In 27 BC, a massive earthquake shattered the northern statue (the one on the right). After this, a strange phenomenon began. At dawn, just as the sun was rising and the temperature changed, the statue would produce a light, mournful, or “singing” sound. This was likely caused by wind vibrating through the new cracks.

Early Roman tourists, who knew their Greek mythology, traveled from all over the empire to hear it. They believed it was the voice of Memnon, the mythical hero of the Trojan War, calling out to his mother, Eos (the goddess of the dawn).

This “singing” made the statue one of the ancient world’s greatest tourist attractions. The sound sadly stopped around 199 AD when the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus, in a well-intentioned but misguided act, “fixed” the statue by repairing its upper half—silencing Memnon’s call forever.

Your Essential First Stop on the West Bank

The Colossi of Memnon are the perfect introduction to your West Bank tour. They are located right by the main road, making it a quick and easy 15-minute stop.

This is the essential photo opportunity that sets the stage for the wonders to come. Let your Egypt Fun Tours guide tell you the full story of Amenhotep III and the singing statue before we whisk you away to the main event: the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut’s Temple, and all the other treasures that lie just beyond these ancient guardians.

Outstanding! The absolute best way to see and do as much as you can in a short amount of time.

A friend and I had one day to spend in Cairo. Egypt Fun Tours–and tour guide Hani–came highly recommended by another friend who used them on a long layover. We were extremely impressed. For only about US$100, two people had a guide, driver, and car to ourselves for an entire

AMAZING Layover Tour

We had the MOST amazing layover tour with Egypt Fun Tours. Hanni was amazing, and we loved every moment. Pyramids, authentic food, and Islamic Cairo – amazing!

Very Considerate and Helpful

Guide and driver were on time, open to my requests and took care that I felt safe and saw the Pyramids and parts of old cairo during my less than 24 hour stay between flights. Office staff were great in communicating by email before and during the trip.

Highly Recommend Egypt Fun Tours!

Several weeks ago, I reached out to Egypt Fun Tours regarding a 9-hour layover in Cairo. From the very beginning, Hani Ahmed was responsive and professional, quickly providing a well-organized itinerary tailored to our limited time. The itinerary included a visit to the pyramids, other historical sites, a delicious dinner,

Tour of Cairo

Despite a late start due to car trouble, Mohamed more than made up for it with his incredible knowledge and dedication. His explanations were detailed and thoughtful, and he went above and beyond to make sure we had a great experience. A memorable and informative tour, thanks to Mohamed’s hard