Egypt unveils newly restored statues of Amenhotep III in Luxor
## Unveiling of Restored Colossal Statues in Luxor
Unveiling of Restored Colossal Statues in Luxor
On Sun, Dec 14, 2025, the restoration of two colossal statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III was unveiled in Luxor, Egypt. These statues, known as the Colossi of Memnon, were reassembled over a two-decade renovation project. Amenhotep III ruled approximately 3,400 years ago during Egypt's New Kingdom period.
Historical Significance and Restoration
The statues hold significant historical value to Luxor, a city renowned for its ancient temples. Mohamed Ismail, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, noted that the restoration project aims to revive the appearance of the funerary temple of Amenhotep III. The statues, originally toppled by an earthquake over 1,200 years ago, were fragmented and partially repurposed until archaeologists restored them.
The restoration project was led by an Egyptian-German team chaired by Egyptologist Hourig Sourouzian. The initiative focused on preserving the remaining structures of the temple, which now stands two meters above its original level. The statues, measuring 14.5 meters and 13.6 meters in height, were crafted from Egyptian alabaster sourced from the Hatnub quarries.
On Sun, Dec 14, 2025, the restoration of two colossal statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III was unveiled in Luxor, Egypt.
The restored statues depict Amenhotep III seated, facing east towards the Nile. They are adorned with the nemes headdress, double crowns, and pleated royal kilt. Smaller statues at their feet represent his wife, Tiye. These statues are situated at the entrance of the king's temple on the western bank of the Nile, believed to be one of the largest and wealthiest temples in Egypt.
The unveiling of the statues aligns with Egypt’s efforts to enhance tourism and support its economy. The opening comes shortly after the inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum near the Giza Pyramids. Tourism, a vital sector for Egypt, has been recovering after periods of political instability and the global pandemic.
In 2024, approximately 15.7 million tourists visited Egypt, contributing around 8% to the national GDP. The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities projects about 18 million tourists for the current year, with aspirations for 30 million annual visitors by 2032.
Based on reporting by Africanews.
