Explore Abydos
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Temple of Seti I at Abydos (Temple of King Sethos)
Location
Abydos, Sohag Governorate – about 160 km north of Luxor
Best Time
October to April, early morning
Time Needed
2–3 hours on site
Entry Ticket
EGP 260 foreign adults · EGP 130 students
Temple of Seti I at Abydos: Overview
The Temple of Seti I at Abydos – also called the Temple of King Sethos or the Great Temple of Abydos – is one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt. It was begun by Pharaoh Seti I of the 19th Dynasty (reigned c. 1290–1279 BC) and completed by his son Ramesses II. It stands in Abydos, the ancient cult centre of Osiris, about 160 km north of Luxor in Sohag Governorate.
Travellers come for three things: the delicate painted reliefs of Seti I, often described as the finest in Egypt; the Abydos King List, which names 76 kings who ruled before Seti; and the mysterious Osireion behind the temple.
History of the Temple of Seti I
Seti I built the temple as his memorial temple and as a shrine to Osiris, the god of the dead, whose head was believed to be buried at Abydos. For the ancient Egyptians, Abydos was the holiest place in the country, and every pharaoh wanted to be linked to it.
Seti died before the work was finished. Ramesses II completed the outer courts and the first hypostyle hall, which is why the decoration changes as you walk in: Ramesses’ faster sunk relief near the entrance, and Seti’s fine raised relief in the inner rooms.
The temple has an unusual L-shaped plan, with a wing turning to the south. Instead of one sanctuary, it has seven chapels side by side, dedicated to Osiris, Isis, Horus, Amun-Ra, Ra-Horakhty, Ptah and the deified Seti I.
Carved hieroglyphs and royal cartouches on an ancient Egyptian temple wall
What to See Inside the Temple
The two hypostyle halls. The first hall was decorated under Ramesses II. The second hall, decorated under Seti I, holds some of the best-carved reliefs in Egypt, many still showing their original colours.
The seven chapels. Each chapel has a vaulted ceiling and scenes of the king performing daily rituals for the god. The Osiris chapel leads on to inner rooms dedicated to Osiris, Isis and Horus.
The Abydos King List. In a corridor known as the Gallery of the Lists, Seti I and the young Ramesses II make offerings to the cartouches of 76 earlier kings, from Menes to Seti himself. Some rulers, such as Hatshepsut, Akhenaten and Tutankhamun, are deliberately left out. It is one of the most important sources for the order of Egypt’s kings.
The Osireion and the “Helicopter” Hieroglyphs
The Osireion. Behind the temple lies the Osireion, a cenotaph built for Seti I and designed as the symbolic tomb of Osiris. Its massive granite pillars sit below today’s water table, so the central hall is often partly flooded.
The “helicopter” hieroglyphs. On a beam in the first hypostyle hall, some carvings look like a helicopter and other modern machines. Egyptologists explain them as a palimpsest: Ramesses II’s titles were carved over Seti I’s original text, and when the plaster filling fell away the two inscriptions overlapped.
Omm Sety. The temple is also linked to Dorothy Eady, known as Omm Sety, an Englishwoman who lived in Abydos from 1956 until her death in 1981 and helped document the temple’s reliefs.
Essential Visiting Tips
- Arrive at opening time (7:00 AM) to beat the heat and the tour groups.
- Tickets: EGP 260 for foreign adults and EGP 130 for students – check the official price before you travel.
- Abydos is about 160 km north of Luxor, around 2.5–3 hours by road each way. Most visitors combine it with Dendera Temple in one day trip.
- Bring a torch or phone light for the darker chapels.
- Photography without flash is allowed; ask on site about rules for professional cameras.
- Hire an Egyptologist guide to read the King List and the reliefs with you.
Plan Your Visit
Abydos is usually visited on a day trip from Luxor. Read our guide to Abydos, Egypt’s sacred city, pair it with Dendera Temple, or browse our Luxor day tours. Looking for Seti I’s other temple? See the Mortuary Temple of Seti I in Luxor.
Want a private trip to Abydos and Dendera with an Egyptologist guide? Contact our team for a quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who built the Temple of Seti I at Abydos?
It was begun by Pharaoh Seti I of the 19th Dynasty (c. 1290–1279 BC) and completed by his son Ramesses II.
What is the Abydos King List?
A carved list in the temple’s Gallery of the Lists showing Seti I and the young Ramesses II honouring the cartouches of 76 earlier kings, from Menes to Seti I.
How far is Abydos from Luxor?
About 160 km north of Luxor, around 2.5–3 hours by road each way. Many visitors combine Abydos with Dendera Temple in a full-day trip.
How much is the ticket to Abydos Temple?
EGP 260 for foreign adults and EGP 130 for students, according to the official ticketing website. Prices can change, so check before you travel.
Is the Temple of King Sethos the same as the Temple of Seti I in Luxor?
No. Seti I built two temples: this one at Abydos, and a mortuary temple on the West Bank of Luxor at Qurna.
