Egypt inaugurates newly-restored Opet Temple in Luxor

CAIRO – 19 April 2019: Celebrating the World Heritage Day, Egyptian Minister of Antiquities Khaled Anany, Minister of Tourism Raniaa el Mashat, Head of Supreme Council of Antiquities Mostafa Waziri inaugurated the newly-restored Opet Temple in Luxor on Friday.

The inauguration was attended by renowned actress Yousra, veteran writer Lamis Gaber along with international media representatives. The Opet Temple locates inside Karnak Temple.


Ministers, celebrities, diplomats, tourists gather outside the newly-restored Opet Temple at Karnak Temple- Egypt Today/Mustafa Marie


Speaking to the guests and the visitors, a restoration team along with Waziri illustrated the stages of restoration process. Foreign tourists who were dazzled by this great temple praised the Ministry of Tourism’s efforts, saying “You are doing a great job.”


Ministers, celebrities, diplomats, tourists gather outside the newly-restored Opet Temple at Karnak Temple- Egypt Today/Mustafa Marie


The delegation visited Karnak Temple on Friday, April 19 on the side-lines of the World Heritage Day celebrations.

Waziri started explaining to the guests all the details pertaining to this great Temple. He said that the Nile used to flow in front of the temple during the ancient time. Ramses II constructed the path to the temple, he added.


Ministers, celebrities, diplomats, tourists gather outside the newly-restored Opet Temple at Karnak Temple- Egypt Today/Mustafa Marie


“How did ancient Egyptians build such gigantic buildings? Because they used ramps! What is the evidence? By using this clay avalanches’’ Waziri recounted.


Opet goddess at the newly-restored Opet Temple at Karnak Temple- Egypt Today/Mustafa Marie


Waziry added that karnak temple is the biggest pillar of ancient Egypt heritage.


The newly-restored Opet Temple at Karnak Temple- Egypt Today/Mustafa Marie

Egypt unveiled a new statue of Ramses II [1279-1213 BCE] Luxor Temple on Thursday after being restored.

The 50-ton statue was broken into more than 50 pieces and was restored by 250 archeological missions over eight months, announced Head of Luxor Antiquities department of the Ministry of Antiquities Mustafa Waziri in celebration at Luxor Temple on the World Heritage Day, Thursday.


Mustafa Waziri talks with actress Yousra about the newly-restored Opet Temple at Karnak Temple- Egypt Today/Mustafa Marie


“The Egyptian missions is who accomplished that! [the restoration],” he said, adding “here we are today announcing the restoration of the fourth Ramses 11 statue after its restoration.” He added that the state is the fourth one belongs to Ramses II at the temple.

Former Minister of Antiquities Zahi Hawas told the attendees that he was honored to celebrate the World Heritage Day in Luxor, saying “For the first time we see a prime minister attends World Heritage Day celebration in Egypt!”