‘Karnak Temples Crane’ successfully removed

CAIRO – 18 July 2021: After 5 days of continuous work, the winch [crane] known as the "Karnak winch" was removed. 

The crane was located at the ninth edifice since 1990 to be used in the reconstruction of the western tower of the ninth edifice inside the Karnak Temples in cooperation with the Egyptian-French Center.

This came in light of the directives of the Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, during his recent visit to Luxor and Aswan.

During works of removing the crane - Min. of Tourism & Antiquities

Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Mustafa Waziri explained that the process of removing the crane lasted for five days and was held in cooperation with the Arab Contractors Company, which transported it to the western bank of the Nile to be used in the ongoing work in the Ramesseum Temple, pointing out that the process of removing the crane was carried out due to its presence in the path of the visit of Al-Kebbash Road and because it obscures the panorama of the ninth edifice.

During works of removing the crane - Min. of Tourism & Antiquities

Salah el-Masikh, director of the Karnak Temple, indicated that this crane is a fixed axial crane that works with electricity, which the Supreme Council of Antiquities purchased for use in the project of dismantling, installing and rebuilding the ninth edifice after the construction that was done by wooden scaffolding was raised.

The project was completed in 1999, and since that time the crane has remained in place. Many attempts have been made by the Supreme Council of Antiquities to dismantle and move it.

It is worth mentioning that the ninth edifice contains blocks of the "talatat" stones from the era of King Akhenaten, which King Horemheb used as fillings inside the building of the ninth pylon.