Luxor#Climate

The name Luxor{{efn|{{langx|ar|الأقصر|al-ʾuqṣur|lit=the palaces}}, pronounced {{IPAc-en|ˈ|l|ʌ|k|s|ɔr|,_|ˈ|l|ʊ|k|-}},Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary. Eleventh Edition. Merriam-Webster, 2006. p. 1557. {{IPA|arz|ˈloʔsˤoɾ}}, Upper Egyptian: {{IPA|[ˈloɡsˤor]}}}} derives from the Arabic {{lang|ar|قصر}} {{Transliteration|ar|qaṣr}}, meaning "castle" or "palace", in the plural form al-quṣūr (“the palaces").{{cite book |author=Macmillan & Co |title=Guide to Egypt and the Sudan: Including a Description of the Route Through Uganda to Mombasa |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xadDAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA105 |year=1905 |publisher=Macmillan |page=115}}Verner, Miroslav (2013). [https://books.google.com/books?id=Khh0BgAAQBAJ&pg=PA232&lpg=PA232 Temple of the World: Sanctuaries, Cults, and Mysteries of Ancient Egypt.] Cairo: American University in Cairo Press, p. 232. {{ISBN|9789774165634}}. ({{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322075634/https://books.google.com/books?id=Khh0BgAAQBAJ&pg=PA232|date=March 22, 2017}}.){{efn|Qasr may be a loanword from the Latin castrum "fortified camp".Shahîd, Irfan (2002). [https://books.google.com/books?id=pfwAG3-rpzcC&pg=PA68 Byzantium and the Arabs in the Sixth Century.] Washington, D.C.: Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection, p. 68. {{ISBN|9780884022848}}. ({{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322083330/https://books.google.com/books?id=pfwAG3-rpzcC&pg=PA68&lpg=PA68 |date=March 22, 2017 }}.)}} It may be equivalent to the Greek and Coptic toponym τὰ Τρία Κάστρα ta tria kastra and ⲡϣⲟⲙⲧ ⲛ̀ⲕⲁⲥⲧⲣⲟⲛ pshomt enkastron respectively, which both mean "three castles".

The Sahidic Coptic name Pape{{efn|{{Langx|cop|ⲡⲁⲡⲉ}}, pronounced {{IPA|cop|ˈpapə}}}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.trismegistos.org/place/2985 |title=TM Places |website=www.trismegistos.org |access-date=2019-12-08 |archive-date=September 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927081159/https://www.trismegistos.org/place/2985 |url-status=live }} comes from Demotic Ỉp.t meaning 'the adyton,' which, in turn, is derived from the Egyptian. The Greek forms Ἀπις and Ὠφιεῖον come from the same source. The Egyptian village of Aba al-Waqf{{efn|{{langx|ar|أبا الوقف}}, {{Langx|grc|Ωφις}}}} shares the same etymology.{{Cite book |last=Peust |first=Carsten |title=Die Toponyme vorarabischen Ursprungs im modernen Ägypte |year=2010 |location=Göttingen |pages=10}}

The Greek name is Thebes ({{langx|grc|Θῆβαι}}) or Diospolis. The Egyptian name of the city is Waset, also known as Nut ({{Langx|cop|ⲛⲏ}}),{{Cite web |url=https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/nwt |title=nwt - Wiktionary |website=en.wiktionary.org |date=September 25, 2019 |access-date=2019-12-08 |archive-date=December 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208131336/https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/nwt |url-status=live }} written as i-pA-t:pr and i-p:t-O45-M24-t:N21-Z1.

File:Luxor Temple R04.jpg, seen from the east bank of the Nile]]

Luxor was the ancient city of Thebes, the capital of Upper Egypt during the New Kingdom, and the city of Amun, later to become the god Amun-Ra. The city was regarded in the ancient Egyptian texts as wAs.t (approximate pronunciation: "Waset"), which meant "city of the sceptre", and later in Demotic Egyptian as ta jpt (conventionally pronounced as "tA ipt" and meaning "the shrine/temple", referring to the jpt-swt, the temple now known by its Arabic name Karnak, meaning "fortified village"), which the ancient Greeks adapted as Thebai and the Romans after them as Thebae. Thebes was also known as "the city of the 100 gates", sometimes being called "southern Heliopolis" ('Iunu-shemaa' in Ancient Egyptian), to distinguish it from the city of Iunu or Heliopolis, the main place of worship for the god Ra in the north. It was also often referred to as niw.t, which simply means "city", and was one of only three cities in Egypt for which this noun was used (the other two were Memphis and Heliopolis); it was also called niw.t rst, "southern city", as the southernmost of them.

The importance of Luxor started as early as the 11th Dynasty, when the community grew into a thriving city.{{cite web |url=http://www.sacred-destinations.com/egypt/luxor-history.htm |title=History of Luxor (Thebes) |publisher=Sacred Destinations |access-date=December 1, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013003321/http://www.sacred-destinations.com/egypt/luxor-history.htm |archive-date=October 13, 2008}} Montuhotep II, who united Egypt after the troubles of the First Intermediate Period, brought stability to the lands as the city grew in stature. The Pharaohs of the New Kingdom in their expeditions to Kush, in today's northern Sudan, and to the lands of Canaan, Phoenicia and Syria saw the city accumulate great wealth and rose to prominence, even on a world scale. Thebes played a major role in expelling the invading forces of the Hyksos from Upper Egypt, and from the time of the 18th Dynasty to the 20th Dynasty, the city had risen as the political, religious and military capital of Ancient Egypt.

The city attracted peoples such as the Babylonians, the Mitanni, the Hittites of Anatolia (modern-day Turkey), the Canaanites of Ugarit, the Phoenicians of Byblos and Tyre, and the Minoans from the island of Crete. A Hittite prince from Anatolia even came to marry with the widow of Tutankhamun, Ankhesenamun. The political and military importance of the city, however, faded during the Late Period, with Thebes being replaced as political capital by several cities in Northern Egypt, such as Bubastis, Sais and finally Alexandria.

However, as the city of the god Amun-Ra, Thebes remained the religious capital of Egypt until the Greek period. The main god of the city was Amun, who was worshipped together with his wife, the Goddess Mut, and their son Khonsu, the God of the moon. With the rise of Thebes as the foremost city of Egypt, the local god Amun rose in importance as well and became linked to the sun god Ra, thus creating the new 'king of gods' Amun-Ra. His great temple at Karnak, just north of Thebes, was the most important temple of Egypt right until the end of antiquity.

Later, the city was attacked by Assyrian emperor Ashurbanipal who installed a new prince on the throne, Psamtik I. The city of Thebes was in ruins and fell in significance. However, Alexander the Great did arrive at the temple of Amun, where the statue of the god was transferred from Karnak during the Opet Festival, the great religious feast. Thebes remained a site of spirituality up to the Christian era, and attracted numerous Christian monks of the Roman Empire who established monasteries amidst several ancient monuments including the temple of Hatshepsut, now called Deir el-Bahri ("the northern monastery").

Following the Muslim conquest of Egypt, part of the Luxor Temple was converted from a church to a mosque. This mosque is currently known as the Abu Haggag Mosque today.

The 18th century saw an increase of Europeans visiting Luxor, with some publishing their travels and documenting its surroundings, such as Claude Sicard, Granger, Frederick Louis Norden, Richard Pococke, Vivant Denon and others. By the 20th century, Luxor had become a major tourist destination.

File:Thèbes. Plan général de la portion de la Vallée du Nil qui comprend les ruines (NYPL b14212718-1267931).jpg.]]

In April 2018, the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities announced the discovery of the shrine of god Osiris: Ptah Neb, dating back to the 25th dynasty in the Temple of Karnak. According to archaeologist Essam Nagy, the material remains from the area contained clay pots, the lower part of a sitting statue and part of a stone panel showing an offering table filled with a sheep and a goose which were the symbols of the god Amun.{{Cite web |date=2018-04-22 |title=Archaeologists find bust of Roman emperor in Egypt dig in Aswan |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/1289571/art-culture |access-date=2021-01-16 |website=Arab News |language=en |archive-date=May 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507020030/https://www.arabnews.com/node/1289571/art-culture |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=DPA |first=Daily Sabah with |date=2018-04-22 |title=Archeologists find Roman emperor bust, ancient shrine in Egypt |url=https://www.dailysabah.com/history/2018/04/22/archeologists-find-roman-emperor-bust-ancient-shrine-in-egypt |access-date=2021-01-16 |website=Daily Sabah |language=en |archive-date=November 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122081648/https://www.dailysabah.com/history/2018/04/22/archeologists-find-roman-emperor-bust-ancient-shrine-in-egypt |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2018-04-22 |title=Shrine to Osiris and bust of Roman emperor found in Egypt |url=http://www.digitaljournal.com/tech-and-science/science/shrine-to-osiris-and-bust-of-Roman-emperor-found-in-egypt/article/520449 |access-date=2021-01-16 |website=www.digitaljournal.com |archive-date=January 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122041038/http://www.digitaljournal.com/tech-and-science/science/shrine-to-osiris-and-bust-of-roman-emperor-found-in-egypt/article/520449 |url-status=live }}

On the same day in November 2018, two different discoveries were announced. One was by the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities that had found a 13th-century tomb on the West Bank belonging to Thaw-Irkhet-If, the overseer of the mummification shrine at the temple of Mut, and his wife.{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/13th-century-priests-tomb-discovered-egypts-luxor/story?id=59418449 |title=13th century priest's tomb discovered in Egypt's Luxor |website=ABC News |access-date=April 21, 2019 |archive-date=November 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20181126195539/https://abcnews.go.com/International/13th-century-priests-tomb-discovered-egypts-luxor/story?id=59418449 |url-status=live }} Five months of excavation work until this point had revealed colorful scenes of the family and 1,000 funerary statues or ushabti. The other discovery was of 1000 ushabti and two sarcophagi each containing a mummy in the TT33 complex by a joint team from the IFAO (French Institute of Oriental Archaeology, Cairo, Egypt) and the University of Strasbourg.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-46329051 |title=Ancient Egyptian tomb unveiled |work=BBC News |date=November 24, 2018 |access-date=January 31, 2021 |archive-date=December 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208210831/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-46329051 |url-status=live }} One of the sarcophagi was opened in private by Egyptian antiquities officials, while the other, of a female 18th Dynasty woman named Thuya, was opened in front of international media.{{Cite news |date=2018-11-24 |title=Ancient Egyptian tomb unveiled |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-46329051 |access-date=2021-01-31 |archive-date=December 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208210831/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-46329051 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Ancient tomb unveiled in Egypt |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/397771-ancient-tomb-unveiled-in-egypt |access-date=2021-01-31 |website=www.thenews.com.pk |language=en |archive-date=February 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205072109/https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/397771-ancient-tomb-unveiled-in-egypt |url-status=live }}

In October 2019, Egyptian archaeologists headed by Zahi Hawass revealed an ancient "industrial area" used to manufacture decorative artefacts, furniture and pottery for royal tombs. The site contained a big kiln to fire ceramics and 30 ateliers. According to Zahi Hawass, each atelier had a different aim – some of them were used to make pottery, others used to produce gold artefacts and others still to churn out furniture. About 75 meters below the valley, several items believed to have adorned wooden royal coffins, such as inlaid beads, silver rings and gold foil were unearthed. Some artefacts depicted the wings of deity Horus.{{Cite web |first1=Julie |last1=Zaugg |first2=Nourhan |last2=Moustafa |title=Egyptian archeologists uncover ancient 'industrial area' filled with royal artifacts |url=https://www.cnn.com/style/article/egypt-archeology-valley-kings-intl-hnk-scli/index.html |access-date=2020-09-17 |website=CNN |date=October 11, 2019 |language=en |archive-date=November 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130031021/https://www.cnn.com/style/article/egypt-archeology-valley-kings-intl-hnk-scli/index.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title="Egyptian archeologists uncover ancient 'industrial area' filled with royal artifacts" – CNN – infodecay |url=https://infodecay.com/egyptian-archeologists-uncover-ancient-industrial-area-filled-with-royal-artifacts-cnn/ |access-date=2020-09-17 |language=en-US |archive-date=October 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016180658/https://infodecay.com/egyptian-archeologists-uncover-ancient-industrial-area-filled-with-royal-artifacts-cnn/ |url-status=live }}

In October 2019, the Egyptian archaeological mission unearthed thirty well-preserved wooden coffins (3,000 years old) in front of the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut in El-Assasif Cemetery. The coffins contained mummies of twenty-three adult males, five adult females and two children, who are believed to be from the middle class. According to Hawass, mummies were decorated with mixed carvings and designs, including scenes from Egyptian gods, hieroglyphs, and the Book of the Dead, a series of spells that allowed the soul to navigate in the afterlife. Some of the coffins had the names of the dead engraved on them.{{Cite web |author=Alaa Elassar |title=Egypt unveils discovery of 30 ancient coffins with mummies inside |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/19/middleeast/egypt-discovers-coffins-mummies-trnd/index.html |access-date=2020-09-17 |website=CNN |date=October 20, 2019 |archive-date=November 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129171703/https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/19/middleeast/egypt-discovers-coffins-mummies-trnd/index.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=2019-10-16 |title=Egypt archaeologists find 20 ancient coffins near Luxor |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-50068575 |access-date=2020-09-17 |archive-date=January 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220101223925/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-50068575 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |vauthors=Reuters|date=2019-10-19 |title=Archaeologists discover 30 ancient coffins in Luxor |url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/19/archaeologists-discover-30-ancient-coffins-with-mummies-in-luxor |access-date=2020-09-17 |website=the Guardian |language=en |archive-date=March 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210323162800/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/19/archaeologists-discover-30-ancient-coffins-with-mummies-in-luxor |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Beachum |first=Lateshia |title=Archaeologists discover more than 20 sealed coffins just as the ancient Egyptians left them |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2019/10/16/archaeologists-discover-more-than-sealed-coffins-just-ancient-egyptians-left-them/ |access-date=2020-09-17 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=September 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929064751/https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2019/10/16/archaeologists-discover-more-than-sealed-coffins-just-ancient-egyptians-left-them/ |url-status=live }}

On 8 April 2021, Egyptian archaeologists led by Zahi Hawass found Aten, a 3,400-year-old "lost golden city" near Luxor. It is the largest known city from Ancient Egypt to be unearthed to date. The site was said by Betsy Bryan, professor of Egyptology at Johns Hopkins University to be "the second most important archaeological discovery since the tomb of Tutankhamun".{{Cite news |date=2021-10-04 |title=Inside Egypt's 3,000-year-old 'lost golden city' |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/inside-egypt-s-3-000-year-old-lost-golden-city-n1263585 |access-date=April 10, 2021 |archive-date=April 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410233306/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/inside-egypt-s-3-000-year-old-lost-golden-city-n1263585 |url-status=live }} The site is celebrated by the unearthing crew for showing a glimpse into the ordinary lives of living ancient Egyptians whereas past archaeological discoveries were from tombs and other burial sites. Many artefacts are found alongside the buildings such as pottery dated back to the reign of Amenhotep III, rings and everyday working tools. The site is not completely unearthed as of the 10th of April 2021.

In February 2025, a joint Egyptian-British archaeological team announced the discovery of the tomb of Thutmose II near Luxor, marking the first identification of a pharaonic royal tomb in over a century since that of Tutankhamun in 1922. Located west of the Valley of the Kings in an area known as Wadi C, the tomb—designated Wadi C-4—was identified through inscriptions on alabaster vessels bearing the names of Thutmose II and his wife, Hatshepsut. The tomb's interior featured fragments of funerary furniture and decorative elements, including blue-painted ceilings with yellow stars and religious texts. However, the site had suffered damage due to ancient flooding, which led to the deterioration of many of its original contents.{{Cite news |date=2025-02-20 |title=Egypt announces first discovery of pharaoh's tomb in more than 100 years |url=https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/egypt-announces-first-discovery-pharaohs-tomb-more-than-100-years-2025-02-19/ |access-date=2025-06-02 |work=Reuters |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2025-02-19 |title=Thutmose II: Last undiscovered tomb of Tutankhamun dynasty found |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5ym30v356po |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title=Egypt says unveils first king's tomb in over a century – DW – 02/19/2025 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/egypt-says-unveils-first-kings-tomb-in-over-a-century/a-71677763 |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=dw.com |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Yuhas |first=Alan |date=2025-02-21 |title=Archaeologists Find a Pharaoh’s Tomb, the First Since King Tut’s, Egypt Says |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/21/world/middleeast/egypt-tomb-archaeologists.html |access-date=2025-06-02 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

In May 2025, Egyptian archaeologists uncovered three ancient New Kingdom tombs at the Dra Abu el-Naga necropolis in Luxor, dating back over 3,500 years; the tombs belonged to high-ranking officials identified through inscriptions as Amum-em-Ipet, Baki (a grain silo supervisor), and “S” (a Temple of Amun supervisor, scribe, and northern oasis mayor). Each tomb features typical New Kingdom architectural elements such as courtyards, halls, burial shafts, and wall depictions of banquet scenes and funerary processions, offering new insights into elite burial customs in non‑royal Theban cemeteries.{{Cite web |title=Egypt: Archaeologists discover three ancient tombs dating back more than 3,500 years |url=https://news.sky.com/story/egypt-archaeologists-discover-three-ancient-tombs-dating-back-more-than-3-500-years-13375066 |access-date=2025-06-07 |website=Sky News |language=en}}

{{Col-begin}}

{{Col-2}}

• Valley of the Kings
• Valley of the Queens
• Medinet Habu (Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III, etc.)
• The Ramesseum (memorial temple of Ramesses II)
• Deir el-Medina (workers' village)
• Tombs of the Nobles
• Deir el-Bahari (Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, etc.)
• Malkata (palace of Amenophis III)
• Colossi of Memnon (memorial temple of Amenophis III)
• Al-Asasif cemetery

{{Col-2}}

• Luxor Temple
• Luxor International Airport
• Karnak Temple
• Luxor Museum
• Mummification Museum
• Winter Palace Hotel

{{Col-2}}

{{Col-end}}

File:luxortemple.jpg, built over the ruins, is on the left.]]

File:Karnakpanorama.jpg hall in the Precinct of Amun Re]]

Approximately 4,000 years ago, a significant alteration in the geography of the Nile River occurred, particularly in the region near modern-day Luxor. This transformation involved the expansion of the floodplain, which increased the availability of arable land. This geographic and environmental shift likely played a crucial role in supporting the agricultural productivity that underpinned the prosperity and stability of ancient Egyptian civilization during that period and over the years.{{Cite journal |last1=Peeters |first1=Jan |last2=Graham |first2=Angus |last3=Toonen |first3=Willem H. J. |last4=Pennington |first4=Benjamin T. |last5=Durcan |first5=Julie A. |last6=Winkels |first6=Timotheus G. |last7=Barker |first7=Dominic S. |last8=Masson-Berghoff |first8=Aurélia |last9=Adamson |first9=Kathryn |last10=Emery |first10=Virginia L. |last11=Strutt |first11=Kristian D. |last12=Millet |first12=Marie |last13=Sollars |first13=Luke H. |last14=Ghazala |first14=Hosni H. |date=2024 |title=Shift away from Nile incision at Luxor ~4,000 years ago impacted ancient Egyptian landscapes |journal=Nature Geoscience |language=en |volume=17 |issue=7 |pages=645–653 |doi=10.1038/s41561-024-01451-z |bibcode=2024NatGe..17..645P |issn=1752-0908|doi-access=free |hdl=10356/180066 |hdl-access=free }}

Luxor has a hot desert climate (Köppen climate classification BWh) like the rest of Egypt. Aswan and Luxor have the hottest summer days of any other city in Egypt. Aswan and Luxor have nearly the same climate. Luxor is one of the sunniest and driest cities in the world. Average high temperatures are above {{convert|40|°C|0}} during summer (June, July, August). During the coolest month of the year, average high temperatures remain above {{convert|71.6|F|0|order=flip}} while average low temperatures remain above {{convert|5|°C|0}}.

The climate of Luxor has precipitation levels lower than even most other places in the Sahara, with less than {{cvt|1|mm|2}} of average annual precipitation. The desert city is one of the driest ones in the world, and rainfall does not occur every year. The air in Luxor is more humid than Aswan but still very dry. There is an average relative humidity of 39.9%, with a maximum mean of 57% during winter and a minimum mean of 27% during summer.

The climate of Luxor is extremely clear, bright and sunny year-round, in all seasons, with a low seasonal variation, with about some 4,000 hours of annual sunshine, very close to the maximum theoretical sunshine duration.

In addition, Luxor, Minya, Sohag, Qena and Asyut have the widest difference of temperatures between days and nights of any city in Egypt, with almost {{convert|16|C-change}} difference.

The hottest temperature recorded was on May 15, 1991, which was {{convert|50|°C}} and the coldest temperature was on February 6, 1989, which was {{convert|-1|°C}}.{{cite web |url=http://voodooskies.com/weather/egypt/luxor |title=Luxor, Egypt |access-date=21 June 2013 |publisher=Voodoo Skies |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150619160412/http://voodooskies.com/weather/egypt/luxor |archive-date=June 19, 2015 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all |last1=Com |first1=Voodooskies }}

{{Weather box

|width = auto

|location = Luxor (1991–2020)

|metric first = yes

|single line = yes

|Jan record high C = 32.9

|Feb record high C = 38.5

|Mar record high C = 42.2

|Apr record high C = 46.2

|May record high C = 50.0

|Jun record high C = 48.5

|Jul record high C = 47.8

|Aug record high C = 47.0

|Sep record high C = 46.0

|Oct record high C = 43.0

|Nov record high C = 38.2

|Dec record high C = 34.8

|year record high C = 50.0

|Jan high C = 22.8

|Feb high C = 25.3

|Mar high C = 29.7

|Apr high C = 35.0

|May high C = 39.1

|Jun high C = 41.2

|Jul high C = 41.4

|Aug high C = 41.2

|Sep high C = 39.3

|Oct high C = 35.5

|Nov high C = 29.1

|Dec high C = 24.2

|year high C = 33.6

|Jan mean C = 14.7

|Feb mean C = 17.1

|Mar mean C = 21.3

|Apr mean C = 27.5

|May mean C = 31.0

|Jun mean C = 33.3

|Jul mean C = 33.9

|Aug mean C = 33.6

|Sep mean C = 31.3

|Oct mean C = 27.4

|Nov mean C = 21.0

|Dec mean C = 16.1

|year mean C = 25.6

|Jan low C = 7.1

|Feb low C = 8.9

|Mar low C = 12.8

|Apr low C = 17.5

|May low C = 22.1

|Jun low C = 25.0

|Jul low C = 25.7

|Aug low C = 25.6

|Sep low C = 23.3

|Oct low C = 19.6

|Nov low C = 13.4

|Dec low C = 8.6

|year low C = 17.4

|Jan record low C = -0.3

|Feb record low C = -1.0

|Mar record low C = 0.0

|Apr record low C = 6.5

|May record low C = 12.5

|Jun record low C = 16.0

|Jul record low C = 19.2

|Aug record low C = 19.2

|Sep record low C = 15.8

|Oct record low C = 9.8

|Nov record low C = 3.7

|Dec record low C = 0.7

|year record low C = -1.0

|Jan precipitation mm = 2.8

|Feb precipitation mm = 0.4

|Mar precipitation mm = 1.7

|Apr precipitation mm = 0.3

|May precipitation mm = 0.8

|Jun precipitation mm = 0.0

|Jul precipitation mm = 0.0

|Aug precipitation mm = 0.1

|Sep precipitation mm = 0.5

|Oct precipitation mm = 1.1

|Nov precipitation mm = 0.5

|Dec precipitation mm = 0.0

|year precipitation mm = 8.3

|Jan humidity = 55

|Feb humidity = 47

|Mar humidity = 39

|Apr humidity = 31

|May humidity = 29

|Jun humidity = 27

|Jul humidity = 30

|Aug humidity = 33

|Sep humidity = 37

|Oct humidity = 43

|Nov humidity = 51

|Dec humidity = 57

|year humidity = 39.9

|unit precipitation days = 1 mm

|Jan precipitation days = 0.3

|Feb precipitation days = 0.4

|Mar precipitation days = 0.3

|Apr precipitation days = 0.1

|May precipitation days = 0.3

|Jun precipitation days = 0.0

|Jul precipitation days = 0.0

|Aug precipitation days = 0.0

|Sep precipitation days = 0.1

|Oct precipitation days = 0.3

|Nov precipitation days = 0.1

|Dec precipitation days = 1.0

|year precipitation days = 1.9

| Jan sun = 288.6

| Feb sun = 277.7

| Mar sun = 305.0

| Apr sun = 308.6

| May sun = 348.9

| Jun sun = 369.9

| Jul sun = 383.7

| Aug sun = 366.7

| Sep sun = 321.0

| Oct sun = 316.4

| Nov sun = 291.0

| Dec sun = 282.6

| year sun = 3860.1

|source 1 = NOAA (humidity 1961–1990){{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230826235453/https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-1-WMO-Normals-9120/Egypt/CSV/Luxor_62405.csv |archive-date=26 August 2023 |url=https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-1-WMO-Normals-9120/Egypt/CSV/Luxor_62405.csv |title=Luxor Climate Normals 1991–2020 |work=World Meteorological Organization Climatological Standard Normals (1991–2020) |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date=27 August 2023}}{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230827000151/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/WMO/1961-1990/RA-I/UB/62405.TXT |archive-date=27 August 2023 |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/WMO/1961-1990/RA-I/UB/62405.TXT |title=Luxor Climate Normals 1961–1990 |work=World Meteorological Organization Climatological Reference Normals (1961–1990) |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date=January 25, 2015}}

|source 2 = Weather2Travel (sunshine hours){{cite web |url= https://www.weather2travel.com/egypt/luxor/climate/|title=Climate normals – Weather2Travel |access-date=2025-03-28}}

}}

{{prose|date=March 2017}}

The Coptic Catholic (Alexandrian Rite) minority established on November 26, 1895 an Eparchy (Eastern Catholic Diocese) of Luqsor (Luxor) alias Thebes, on territory split off from the Apostolic Vicariate of Egypt. Its episcopal see is a St. George cathedral in Luxor.

In turn, it lost territory on August 10, 1947 to establish the Eparchy of Assiut and again on 14 September 1981 to establish Sohag.

• Ignazio Gladès Berzi (March 6, 1896 – died January 29, 1925)
• Marc Khouzam (August 6, 1926 – August 10, 1947), also Apostolic Administrator of Alexandria of the Copts (Egypt) (December 30, 1927 – August 10, 1947); later Coptic Catholic Patriarch of Alexandria (10 August 10, 1947 – died February 2, 1958)
• Isaac Ghattas (June 21, 1949 – May 8, 1967), later Archbishop-Bishop of Minya of the Copts (Egypt) (May 8, 1967 – died June 8, 1977)
• Amba Andraos Ghattas, Lazarists (C.M.) (May 8, 1967 – June 9, 1986), also Apostolic Administrator of Alexandria of the Copts (Egypt) (February 24, 1984 – June 9, 1986), President of Synod of the Catholic Coptic Church (1985 – March 30, 2006), President of Assembly of the Catholic Hierarchy of Egypt (1985 – March 30, 2006), later Coptic Catholic Patriarch of Alexandria (June 23, 1986 – retired March 30, 2006), created Cardinal-Patriarch (February 21, 2001 – died January 20, 2009), also President of Council of Catholic Patriarchs of the East (2003–2006)
• Aghnatios Elias Yaacoub, Jesuits (S.J.) (July 15, 1986 – died March 12, 1994), previously Coadjutor Eparch of Assiut of the Copts (Egypt) (May 19, 1983 – July 15, 1986)
• Youhannes Ezzat Zakaria Badir (June 24, 1994 – December 27, 2015), previously Eparch (Bishop) of Ismayliah of the Copts (Egypt) (November 23, 1992 – June 23, 1994)
• Emmanuel (Khaled Ayad) Bishay (April 16, 2016 -

File:Luxor, Egypt, Luxor Corniche.jpg]]

File:Luxor, Sharia Mahattat, Egypt, Oct 2004.jpg

File:Luxor Souq R01.jpg]]

The economy of Luxor, like that of many other Egyptian cities, is heavily dependent on tourism. Since 1988, Luxor is the only city that offers hot air balloon rides in Egypt, which is a common activity for tourists. Large numbers of people also work in agriculture, particularly sugarcane. There are also many industries, such as the pottery industry used in eating and many other uses.

The local economy was hit by the Luxor massacre in 1997, in which a total of 64 people (including 59 visiting tourists) were killed, at the time the worst terrorist attack in Egypt (before the Sharm el-Sheikh terrorist attacks).[http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2005/752/fr4.htm Shock in Sharm] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130924125054/http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2005/752/fr4.htm |date=2013-09-24 }} 23 July, Serene Assir, Al-Ahram Weekly The massacre reduced tourist numbers for several years."Solidly ahead of oil, Suez Canal revenues, and remittances, tourism is Egypt's main hard currency earner at $6.5 billion per year." (in 2005) [http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2005/741/eg1.htm ... concerns over tourism's future ] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130924131816/http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2005/741/eg1.htm |date=2013-09-24 }} accessed 27 September 2007 Following the 2011 Arab Spring, tourism to Egypt dropped significantly, again affecting local tourist markets. Nineteen Asian and European tourists died when a hot air balloon crashed early on Tuesday, February 26, 2013 near Luxor following a mid-air gas explosion. It was one of the worst accidents involving tourists in Egypt. The casualties included French, British, Hungarian, Japanese nationals and nine tourists from Hong Kong.(Times of India, Indore, MP, India edition Wed, February 27, 2013)

To make up for shortfalls of income, many cultivate their own food. Goat's cheese, pigeons, subsidized and home-baked bread and homegrown tomatoes are commonplace among the majority of its residents.

File:Winter Palace Luxor front.jpg

A controversial tourism development plan aims to transform Luxor into the biggest vast open-air museum. The master plan envisions new roads, five-star hotels, glitzy shops, and an IMAX theatre. The main attraction is an 11 million dollar project to unearth and restore the {{convert|2.7|km|1|abbr=off}} long Avenue of Sphinxes that once linked Luxor and Karnak temples. The ancient processional road was built by the pharaoh Amenhotep III and took its final form under Nectanebo I in 400 BCE. Over a thousand sphinx statues lined the road now being excavated which was covered by silt, homes, mosques and churches. Excavation started around 2004.{{cite web |last=McGrath |first=Cam |url=http://www.globalissues.org/news/2011/06/16/10131 |title=Mideast: Sphinx Avenue Paved With Bitter Memories — Global Issues |publisher=Globalissues.org |date=2011-06-16 |access-date=2011-09-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110617111728/http://www.globalissues.org/news/2011/06/16/10131 |archive-date=June 17, 2011 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}{{cite web |last=McGrath |first=Cam |url=http://elagazat.com/ar/iberotel-luxor-hotel |title=Mideast: Sphinx Avenue Paved With Bitter Memories — Global Issues |publisher=Globalissues.org |date=2011-06-16 |access-date=2011-09-16 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20161109000123/http://elagazat.com/ar/iberotel-luxor-hotel |archive-date=November 9, 2016 |url-status=usurped |df=mdy-all}}

File:Touristenbazar in Luxor (1995, 880x625).jpg

On 18 April 2019, the Egyptian Government announced the discovery of a previously unopened coffin in Luxor, dated back to 18th dynasty of Upper and Lower Egypt.{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-egypt-archaeology/expansive-new-kingdom-tomb-unveiled-in-egypts-luxor-idUSKCN1RU2E7 |title=Expansive New Kingdom tomb unveiled in Egypt's Luxor |date=Apr 18, 2019 |website=reuters.com |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190418225746/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-egypt-archaeology/expansive-new-kingdom-tomb-unveiled-in-egypts-luxor-idUSKCN1RU2E7 |archive-date=April 18, 2019 |url-status=live |access-date=April 21, 2019 |df=mdy-all}}{{cite web |author=Mustafa Marie |url=https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/68489/Egypt-announces-tomb-discovery-at-Luxor%E2%80%99s-Draa-Abul-Naga-necropolis |title=Egypt announces tomb discovery at Luxor's Draa Abul Naga necropolis |work=EgyptToday |date=Apr 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190418125349/https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/68489/Egypt-announces-tomb-discovery-at-Luxor%E2%80%99s-Draa-Abul-Naga-necropolis |archive-date=April 18, 2019 |url-status=live |access-date=April 21, 2019 |df=mdy-all}} According to the Minister of Antiquities Khaled al-Anani, it is the biggest rock-cut tomb to be unearthed in the ancient city of Thebes.{{cite web |url=http://luxortimes.com/2019/04/exclusive-video-ancient-egyptian-mayors-tomb-discovered-in-luxor/ |title=Ancient Egyptian Mayor's Tomb Discovered in Luxor (with video) |date=Apr 18, 2019 |website=luxortimes.com |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190418180851/http://luxortimes.com/2019/04/exclusive-video-ancient-egyptian-mayors-tomb-discovered-in-luxor/ |archive-date=April 18, 2019 |url-status=live |access-date=April 21, 2019 |df=mdy-all}} It is one of the largest, well-preserved tombs ever found near the ancient city of Luxor.{{cite web |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/astonishing-3-500-year-old-egyptian-tombs-discovered-in-luxor-1.4386016 |title='Astonishing' 3,500-year-old Egyptian tombs discovered in Luxor |date=Apr 18, 2019 |website=ctyvnews.ca |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190418195738/https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/astonishing-3-500-year-old-egyptian-tombs-discovered-in-luxor-1.4386016 |archive-date=April 18, 2019 |url-status=live |access-date=April 21, 2019 |df=mdy-all}} On 24 November 2018, this discovery was preceded by the finding of a well-preserved mummy of a woman inside a previously unopened coffin dating back more than 3,000 years.{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/11/24/egyptian-archaeologists-unveil-newly-discovered-luxor-tombs/ |title=Egyptian archaeologists unveil newly discovered Luxor tombs |date=Nov 24, 2018 |website=telegraph.co.uk |archive-url=https://archive.today/20181124185720/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/11/24/egyptian-archaeologists-unveil-newly-discovered-luxor-tombs/ |archive-date=November 24, 2018 |url-status=live |access-date=April 21, 2019 |df=mdy-all}}{{cite web |author=Randa Ali |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/13th-century-priests-tomb-discovered-egypts-luxor/story?id=59418449 |title=13th century priest's tomb discovered in Egypt's Luxor |website=abcnews.go.com |date=Nov 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20181126195539/https://abcnews.go.com/International/13th-century-priests-tomb-discovered-egypts-luxor/story?id=59418449 |archive-date=November 26, 2018 |url-status=live |access-date=April 21, 2019 |df=mdy-all}}

File:Luxor International.JPG]]

Luxor is served by Luxor International Airport.

A bridge was opened in 1998, a few kilometres upstream of the main town of Luxor, allowing ready land access from the east bank to the west bank. Traditionally river crossings have been the domain of several ferry services. The so-called 'local ferry' (also known as the 'National Ferry') continues to operate from a landing opposite the Temple of Luxor.

File:Luxor Station.jpg

Transport to sites on the west bank are serviced by taxi drivers who often approach ferry passengers.{{citation needed|date=March 2015}} There are also local cars that reach some of the monuments for 2 L.E., although tourists rarely use them. Alternatively, motorboats line both banks of the Nile all day providing a quicker, but more expensive (50 L.E.), crossing to the other side.

The city of Luxor on the east bank has several bus routes used mainly by locals. Tourists often rely on horse carriages, called "calèches", for transport or tours around the city. Taxis are plentiful, and reasonably priced, and since the government has decreed that taxis older than 20 years will not be relicensed, there are many modern air-conditioned cabs. Recently, new roads have been built in the city to cope with the growth in traffic.

For domestic travel along the route of the Nile, a rail service operates several times a day. A morning train and sleeping train can be taken from the railway station situated around {{convert|400|m|yd}} from Luxor Temple. The line runs between several major destinations, including Cairo to the north and Aswan to the south.

{{Main|Luxor University}}

Luxor University, founded in 2019, is a non-profit governmental university that provides programs and courses for students.{{cite web |title=Luxor University Official Site |url=http://www.luxor.edu.eg/ |access-date=June 9, 2020 |archive-date=June 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608134216/http://luxor.edu.eg/ |url-status=live }}

{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Egypt}}

Luxor is twinned with:

{{div col|colwidth=20em}}

• {{flagicon|USA}} Baltimore, United States{{cite web |title=Baltimore Sister Cities |url=https://baltimoresistercities.org/ |website=baltimoresistercities.org |publisher=Baltimore Sister Cities, Inc. |access-date=2020-10-21 |archive-date=March 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331183927/https://baltimoresistercities.org/ |url-status=live }}
• {{flagicon|BRA}} Brasília, Brazil{{cite web |title=Cidades Irmãs |url=http://www.internacional.df.gov.br/cidades-irmas/ |website=internacional.df.gov.br |publisher=Escritório de Assuntos Internacionais, Governo do Distrito Federal |language=pt |access-date=2020-05-22 |archive-date=December 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211216200214/https://www.internacional.df.gov.br/cidades-irmas/ |url-status=live }}
• {{flagicon|GEO}} Kakheti, Georgia{{cite web |title=Georgia's wine region twins with Egypt's Luxor |url=https://agenda.ge/en/news/2015/518 |website=agenda.ge |date=2015-03-11 |access-date=2020-10-21 |archive-date=October 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023160056/https://agenda.ge/en/news/2015/518 |url-status=live }}
• {{flagicon|BUL}} Kazanlak, Bulgaria{{cite web |title=Побратимени градове |url=https://www.kazanlak.bg/cat-551.html |website=kazanlak.bg |publisher=Kazanlak |language=bg |access-date=2020-10-21 |archive-date=October 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024133157/https://www.kazanlak.bg/cat-551.html |url-status=live }}
• {{flagicon|CHN}} Shenzhen, China{{cite web |title=Luxor |url=http://www.sz.gov.cn/en_szgov/govt/cities/sister/content/post_1320084.html |website=sz.gov.cn |publisher=Shenzhen |access-date=2020-10-21 |archive-date=October 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024084748/http://www.sz.gov.cn/en_szgov/govt/cities/sister/content/post_1320084.html |url-status=live }}
• {{flagicon|ITA}} Viterbo, Italy{{cite web |title=Viterbo gemellata con Luxor |url=https://almaghrebiya.it/2020/08/09/viterbo-gemellata-con-luxor/ |website=almaghrebiya.it |publisher=Al Maghrebiya |language=it |date=2020-08-09 |access-date=2020-10-21 |archive-date=October 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022205646/https://almaghrebiya.it/2020/08/09/viterbo-gemellata-con-luxor/ |url-status=dead }}
• {{flagicon|CHN}} Yangzhou, China{{cite web |title=Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province: Overview |url=http://subsites.chinadaily.com.cn/regional/yangzhou/2018-04/25/c_114665.htm |website=chinadaily.com.cn |publisher=China Daily |access-date=2020-10-21 |archive-date=January 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117121606/http://subsites.chinadaily.com.cn/regional/yangzhou/2018-04/25/c_114665.htm |url-status=dead }}

{{div col end}}

File:Luxor R02.jpg|Station Street in Luxor

File:Luxor Pier, Egypt.jpg|Luxor pier

File:Touristenbazar in Luxor (1995, 880x625).jpg|Street market in Luxor

File:Luxor New Corniche R01.jpg|The New Corniche in Luxor

File:Luxor, Egypt, Sunset on Nile River.jpg|Sunset on Nile River in Luxor, Feluccas

File:Luxor, Egypt, Boats on Nile River.jpg|Luxor Temple as seen from River Nile

File:Egypt.LuxorTemple.River.01.jpg|Panoramic view of Luxor

File:Luxor Temple R04.jpg|Luxor Temple

File:LuxorTemple1.jpg|Central corridor and four colossi by night

File:LuxorTemple3.jpg|Ramesses II colossus inside Luxor Temple at night

File:Egypt.LuxorTemple.01.jpg|Amenhotep's colonnade from the peristyle court

File:Avenue towards Karnak.JPG|Hundreds of sphinxes once lined the road to nearby Karnak

File:Abu el-Haggag R03.jpg|The Abu Haggag Mosque inside the temple

File:Abu el-Haggag R01.jpg|Luxor Temple and Abu Haggag Mosque

File:Luxor Mosque Mansheya Street R01.jpg|Mosque in Mansheya Street

File:Balloon over Luxor - Egypt denoised.jpg|Hot Air Balloon In Luxor

File:Luxor_New_Tiba_City_R01.jpg|New Tiba City: extension east of Luxor, started in 2000

{{portal|Egypt}}

• Cultural tourism in Egypt
• Yusuf Abu al-Haggag
• List of cities and towns in Egypt
• List of megalithic sites
• Luxor Las Vegas

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

• Bell, Lanny. “Luxor Temple and the Cult of the Royal ka.” Journal of Near Eastern Studies 44 (1985): 251–294.
• Bongioanni, Alessandro. Luxor and the Valley of the Kings. Vercelli, Italy: White Star Publishers, 2004.
• Brand, Peter J. “Veils, Votives and Marginalia: The Use of Sacred Space at Karnak and Luxor.” In Sacred Space and Sacred Function in Ancient Thebes. Edited by Peter F. Dorman and Betsy N. Bryan, 51–83. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2007.
• El-Shahawy, Abeer, and Farid S. Atiya. Luxor Museum: The Glory of Ancient Thebes. Cairo, Egypt: Farid Atiya Press, 2005.
• Haag, Michael. Luxor Illustrated: With Aswan, Abu Simbel, and the Nile. Cairo: American University in Cairo Press, 2009.
• Siliotti, Alberto. Luxor, Karnak, and the Theban Temples. Cairo: American University in Cairo Press, 2002.
• Strudwick, Nigel, and Helen Strudwick. Thebes In Egypt: A Guide to the Tombs and Temples of Ancient Luxor. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 1999.
• Weeks, Kent R. The Illustrated Guide to Luxor: Tombs, Temples, and Museums. Cairo, Egypt: American University in Cairo Press, 2005.

{{Commons and category|Luxor}}

{{wikivoyage|Luxor}}

{{Library resources box |by=no |onlinebooks=yes |others=yes |about=yes |label=Luxor

|viaf= |lccn= |lcheading= |wikititle= }}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20061205053032/http://www.thebanmappingproject.com/ Theban Mapping Project]: website devoted to the Valley of the Kings and other sites in the Theban Necropolis
• [http://www.WHTour.org/87 Luxor World Heritage Site in panographies] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20121209020445/http://www.whtour.org/87 |date=December 9, 2012 }} - 360 degree interactive imaging
• [http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/diocese/luqs0.htm GCatholic Copic epachy]
• {{Cite news |author=Kamil, Jill |title=The Development Plan for Luxor |date=November 2008 |work=Al-Ahram Weekly, Issue No. 921 |url=http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2008/921/heritage.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090806204807/http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2008/921/heritage.htm |archive-date=2009-08-06}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20100825062231/http://remains.se/picturem.php?ObjectID=133&Browse=AREA Luxor Temple picture gallery] at Remains.se

{{Governorates capital of Egypt}}

{{Sa'id / Upper Egypt Main Cities}}

{{Egyptian Cities}}

{{Landmarks of Luxor}}

{{Arab Capital of Culture}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Governorate capitals in Egypt

Category:Archaeological sites in Egypt

Category:Tourism in Egypt

Category:Tourist attractions in Egypt

Category:Populated places in Luxor Governorate

Category:Cities in Egypt