Temple of Osiris: Explore Abydos Temple in Egypt

Long before becoming a video game name Abydos was once a real pilgrimage site along the Nile. It was the most sacred home to Osiris. Most people seeking out the temple of Osiris will be heading to the Temple of Seti I and surrounding monuments. This temple in Upper Egypt was dedicated to worshipping the God of the afterlife for over two thousand years. Abydos Temple now holds some of the most beautiful painted reliefs in the country, a famous king list and peaceful atmosphere that is not always found at busier sites. This guide will tell you about the myths, builders, carvings, plus the nearby Osireion. If you are looking to create a trip around Egypt’s temples then take a look at our Egypt Travel Packages.

Abydos was the principal religious centre of Osiris, god of the afterlife. The shrine, which many people refer to as the temple of Osiris, was built as a result of the worship carried out at this location over many years. The Egyptians believed this was where the story of Temple of Osiris ended and therefore the land on the edge of the desert was considered sacred. Osiris was murdered by his brother Set but was brought back to life by Isis (see our guide to Egyptian myths for more information).

Where Is Abydos Located In Egypt?

Abydos is located on the west bank of the Nile in Upper Egypt. It is located within the Sohag governorate and is situated north of Luxor. It was originally called Abdju. The area was ideal for the Egyptians as it was located between the fertile farmland and the desert.

Why Was Abydos Important To The Ancient Egyptians?

Abydos Temple started as a place where some of Egypt’s earliest kings were buried. This cemetery became a place of pilgrimage where people would leave behind stelae and small chapels along the route of the processional. Later Pharaohs such as Seti I and Ramesses II also built their own temples.

How Did Abydos Become Associated With Osiris?

The local god Khentyamentiu (meaning ‘foremost of the westerners’) became associated with death. Eventually he became one and the same as Osiris. One of the early royal tombs (traditionally believed to belong to King Djer) became associated with the burial of Osiris. An annual festival was held to commemorate parts of his story and the town became an important religious hub.

The Abydos Temple (officially known as the Temple of Seti I) was constructed during the Nineteenth Dynasty and is a remarkably well-preserved temple. The temple is unique as it was dedicated to multiple gods and the king himself, and used as a mortuary temple for past pharaohs.

Who Was Pharaoh Seti I?

Pharaoh Seti I reigned between c.1290 to c.1279 BC and is famous for his military actions in the Levant and his ambitious construction projects such as the grand hall at Karnak. He is one of the most significant rulers of Egypt and can be found in our guide to Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs. Seti I built a temple to Osiris and other gods at Abydos and even dedicated a section to himself.

Why Did Ramesses II Finish His Father’s Temple?

Seti I died before the temple was fully decorated. His son, Ramesses II (shown as a young prince on the King List scene), completed some sections of the decoration. An inscription states that he was completing his duty to his father. Ramesses II also built a smaller temple for himself nearby.

What Makes the Temple Architecturally Unique?

The temple has an L-shape due to the terrain. After passing through two hypostyle halls visitors enter seven vaulted chapels dedicated to Osiris, Isis, Horus, Amun-Ra, Ra-Horakhty, Ptah and deified Seti I. The walls are beautifully decorated with relief carvings and there is some original colour remaining.

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There are many beautiful aspects to this temple complex. The decoration is repetitive but all the corridors have new additions. There are some nice scenes that show how Egyptians wanted to remember their history.

What is the Famous Abydos King List?

Inside a long corridor called the Gallery of the Kings there is a list of 76 carved rulers listed in order. This starts with the legendary first king Menes. Seti I and the young Ramesses are shown making offerings in front of the list. This list is not complete as there are many missing rulers such as those from the Amarna period (including Akhenaten and Tutankhamun) and also Hatshepsut and the Hyksos kings.

What do the Hieroglyphs in the Temple Show?

The reliefs on the walls show daily offerings and processions. The king is also shown meeting with the gods. The gods Osiris, Isis and Horus are seen throughout. The chapels show the rituals that they would carry out to ensure the divine order continued. If you follow the scenes from the entrance to the sanctuaries you can get an idea of a typical day in the temple.

Why are the Temple Wall Carvings so impressive?

The carvings are famous for the high quality low relief. They have incredible detail with the fine lines showing the features of the faces, jewellery and crowns. Some of the scenes have colour remaining so we can see how colourful the temple would have been.

This monument is associated with the same god and can be found behind the main temple. It is much simpler and more basic than the elaborately decorated halls of Seti. The Osireion is much smaller and partly underground. Below is the guide for the Egyptian deities.

What Was The Purpose Of The Osireion?

The Osireion is generally seen by scholars as a symbolic tomb (Cenotaph) for Osiris. It was started by Seti I and completed by his successor Merneptah. There is a central platform on an island surrounded by a channel of water which represents the mound of creation and Osiris’s burial.

How Is The Osireion Different From The Temple Of Seti I?

The Temple of Seti I is an above ground cult temple. It has painted reliefs and a line of active chapels. The Osireion is much lower down behind the temple. It is made from large blocks of stone and has very simplistic walls and little decoration.

What Mysteries Are Associated With The Osireion?

The unique design and location below the water table has led to many theories. Researchers still debate the details of the structure such as what the water was intended to do in rituals. However, evidence shows it is from the New Kingdom and was used for a funerary purpose. The site can sometimes be tricky to access so always check the current layout.

A visit to Abydos Temple should be done as a proper excursion due to it being further away from Luxor than other sites on the West Bank. This means you get more area to explore and there is less people around which means you can get a better look at the carvings. It is very different to Karnak Temple, which showcases the state cult of Amun-Ra, and instead showcases the God of the dead.

How To Get To Abydos From Luxor

Most people tend to visit this site by either hiring a private vehicle or going on an organised excursion. It tends to be a long day trip. The travel time depends on the route you take and how you're travelling. Check with your operator to see how long it will take. Make sure to leave early.

What To See

You will want to spend some time exploring the two halls with pillars, seven chapels, Gallery of the Kings and carvings. There is also the Osireion behind the main temple and a smaller temple dedicated to Ramesses II nearby. Some areas may be closed so check what is available.

Can I Combine With Dendera Temple?

The temple of the goddess Hathor (Dendera) can be visited near Qena. This is along the same general route north of Luxor so many people choose to do this as part of a longer excursion. It will depend on how much time you have and how you're travelling. Ask when planning.

The temple of Osiris in Abydos provides an insight into the more personal side of ancient Egypt and what the Egyptians hoped for in the afterlife. The brightly painted reliefs, king list and the Osireion combine mythology, history and architecture. This stop gives you an insight into how the ancient Egyptians used their religious beliefs and put them into the stone.

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1-Where is the temple of Osiris located?

The archaeological site of Abydos is located in Upper Egypt and is close to modern Sohag. This is where you can find the Temple of Seti I along with other Osiris monuments.

2-Who built the Abydos Temple?

The famous temple was built by Pharaoh Seti I during the Nineteenth Dynasty. His son Ramesses II completed some elements of the decoration and building.

3-Why was Abydos sacred to Osiris?

Abydos was sacred to Osiris as it was linked by the Ancient Egyptians to his burial and rebirth.

4-What is the Abydos King List?

The Abydos King list is a list of king’s names carved into the Temple of Seti I. They provide valuable information about the Ancient Egyptian Kings.

5-Could tourists visit the Abydos Temple?

Yes, tourists can visit the archaeological site of Abydos. However depending on the current arrangements you may not be able to visit certain monuments and areas.