This is the Temple of Horus at Edfu, the second largest temple in Egypt (after Karnak), and the most well preserved.
Egyptian temples were set up at holy sites associated with the creation of the world and at places that feature significantly in the myths and legends involving their gods.
Edfu Temple was built on the site of the mythical battle between Seth and Horus, who was avenging his father's death at the hands of Seth. Despite losing an eye in the encounter, Horus emerged victorious and claimed the throne of Egypt.
This was a triumph of good over evil, of 'maat' (universal balance, order and justice) over the forces of chaos, and joyous festivals were held here throughout the year to honour Horus and celebrate his great victory.
Edfu was built quite late in Egypt's history, starting in 237 B.C. It was in fact the first new temple commissioned by the Ptolemies—the Greek rulers who succeeded Alexander the Great.
The falcon god Horus is sometimes portrayed in reliefs as a winged sun disk, representing "Horus of Behdet". Behdet was the ancient Egyptian name for the location of his great temple in Upper Egypt.
The Greeks equated Horus with their god Apollo, and so Edfu was called Apollinopolis, with Magna added to differentiate it from other places also called Apollinopolis.
Pictured are the colonnades and back of the great entrance pylon that form the paved courtyard of the temple. Photo: Shane and Robbie, who visited Egypt in 2013 as part of an epic 500-day journey around the world.