All preparations and arrangements are in full swing for the opening of the new "Sphinx Avenue" that was previously called Rams Road in the Egyptian governorate of Luxor. The Egyptian Archaeological Governorate is getting ready for the global event in the coming few days, which is one of the most important tourist attractions in the world and the largest open museum on earth.
The organization of this event aims to promote tourism in Luxor and highlight its unique tourist and archaeological components, especially on the sidelines of the country’s completion of several important projects.
The Importance of Rams Road
The Sphinx Avenue connects Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple with a length of 2,700 meters. The Rams Road includes statues of different families that are estimated to be 1200 statues of Amun-Re and the Sphinx. The ancient Egyptian called the Road of Rams "Wat Nether", meaning the way of God.
On the Sphinx Avenue, the celebrations of the Opet festivals were held every year, which are the harvest festivals of the ancient Egyptians. The statues of rams were held in two forms; the first one is in a form of a lion’s body and the head of a human “Sphinx”, while the second one is in a form of a ram’s body and head representing one of the symbols of “Amun-Ra.”
Festival Activities
Reviving the Rams Road is one of the most important archaeological projects in the Luxor Governorate. The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities is organizing a dazzling pharaonic festival that befits the nobility of Luxor during the opening. An exhibition of rare pictures from the 19th century will also be held, which tells the history of the Karnak and Luxor temples, the procession route that connects the temples, the most important Archaeological discoveries, pictures and scenes of holidays, and celebrations that were held in ancient times.
Why Is This Event Important?
The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities is working in full swing to promote Egyptian tourism and antiquities in all governorates. As we’ve all witnessed, the ministry has succeeded in organizing the event of transferring the royal mummies procession from the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Fustat last April, which contributed greatly to the promotion of tourism in Egypt.
Following the success of the ceremony of transferring the royal mummies, the Egyptian government was keen to organize a big event to promote Luxor Governorate. The celebration of the Sphinx Avenue followed the projects that were carried out to develop tourism, such as visual identity, developing the Corniche, and raising the efficiency of facilities and buildings. President Sisi assured that this celebration is a continuation of the approach of global events to promote Egypt's power and ancient civilization and reflect the richness of Luxor as an integrated global tourist destination.
The Opening
It’s been confirmed by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities that the celebration will take place on November 25, 2021.