This
main entrance to the temple complex was
originally flanked by six colossal statues
of Ramesses – four seated, and two
standing – but only two (both seated)
have survived. Modern visitors can also
see a 25-metre tall pink granite obelisk:
this one of a matching pair until 1835,
when the other one was taken to Paris
where it now stands in the centre of the
Place de la Concorde. Through the pylon
gateway leads into a peristyle courtyard,
also built by Ramesses II. This area,
and the pylon, were built at an oblique
angle to the rest of the temple, presumably
to accommodate the three pre-existing
barque shrines located in the northwest
corner. It is atop the columns of this
courtyard that the Abu Haggag mosque was
built: on the eastern side, a doorway
leads surrealistically out into thin air
some 8 metres above the ground.
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