Temple of Horus Edfu, Egypt

The Ptolemaic temple of Horus at Edfu is the best-preserved temple in Egypt, and indeed in all the ancient world. Inscriptions on the walls document every phase of the temple's construction, from 237 BC (Ptolemy III) to 57 BC (Ptolemy XII). Located on the west bank of the Nile, about halfway between Esna and Kom Ombo, the temple is oriented towards the south.