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Great Temple of Amun at Karnak
The forecourt is another addition from the later dynasties. It includes three ruined structures and a single column remaining from the Kiosk of Taharqa (25th DYnasty). To the left stands the Shrine of Seti II. The remains of the 10 columns of Tarharqa stand here, which supported a small open temple.
Inside the court is the ruined Temple of Ramesses III, set aside from the main pylon. It is fronted by two enormous statues and is a festival hall with mummiform statues. The pink granite colossus of Ramesses II is also interesting here. It stands beside the second pylon, which was built by Horemheb and leads to the amazing Hypostyle Hall -- a veritable forest of columns.
The third pylon (through the hypostyle hall) was the designed as the grand entranceof the temple, built by Amenophis III. He also used blocks from other demoloshed parts of the temple -- much of the stone here has been removed by archeologists and reassempled in the Open Air Museum.
Between the third and fourth pylon are the remaining obelisks in the temple. Originall there were four, only one of which still stands here. Through the fourth pylon stands the red granite obelisk of Hatshepsut.
THe fifth and sixth pylons begin to approach the original portions of the temple of Amun. Thutmosis I most likely built the fifth pylon of limestone and behind it lies the original couryard of the temlpe. Only a small portion of the sixth pylon remains, leadingot the sanctuary.
