位于埃及卢克索神庙(Luxor Temple)正门左侧的方尖碑(Remaining Luxor Obelisk),是拉美西斯二世(Ramesses II)在公元前1250年左右下令建造的。这座由整块粉红色花岗岩雕琢而成的纪念碑高约25.03米,重量接近250吨。原本神庙大门两侧各有一座完全对称的方尖碑,但现在的游客只能看到左侧那一座。如果你站在神庙入口环顾四周,会发现右侧原本对称的位置只剩下一个空荡荡的底座,这种视觉上的不对称感正是这段跨越三千多年历史故事的起点。
这座方尖碑不仅仅是装饰,它是拉美西斯二世权力的象征。石碑表面刻满了精美的象形文字,详细记录了法官的头衔、战绩以及他对太阳神阿蒙(Amon)的虔诚。每一个侧面都刻有三列铭文,居中的那一列深深刻入石材内部,这种雕刻深度在阳光照射下会产生强烈的阴影对比,即便在几十米外也能清晰辨认出法老的名字。说到这些文字,它们就像是古代的政治宣传单,向每一个进入神庙的人宣告,谁才是这片土地最高权力的主宰。
这块重达250吨的石材产自几百公里外的阿斯旺(Aswan)采石场。古埃及人利用水力涨裂法将整块岩石从山体中分离,再通过尼罗河每年的洪水期,用巨大的驳船将其运抵卢克索。这种粉红色花岗岩质地极其坚硬,在没有铁质工具的时代,工匠们只能用玄武岩球不断敲击打磨。走近仔细看,石碑表面依然保持着某种程度的平整度,这种精细度在三千多年后的今天看来依然令人费解。石碑顶部的金字塔形尖端原本覆盖着一层电金(Electrum,金银合金),每当清晨第一缕阳光洒向底比斯,尖端会像灯塔一样反射出刺眼的光芒。
原本位于右侧的那座方尖碑,现在正立在法国巴黎的协和广场上。1830年代,埃及总督穆罕默德·阿里(Muhammad Ali Pasha)将这对双生方尖碑中的一座赠送给了法国国王路易·菲利普。作为回礼,法国人送给埃及一座铜质时钟,现在那座时钟还挂在开罗萨拉丁城堡的穆罕默德·阿里清真寺内。有趣的是,那座时钟在运抵埃及后不久就坏了,至今几乎从未准时走过,而埃及送出的方尖碑却在巴黎矗立了近两百年。说实话,这笔买卖在很多现代埃及人看来是亏大了,但它也让卢克索的名字在欧洲家喻户晓。
在巴黎的那座方尖碑下,原有的基座细节因为内容过于“直白”而被更换了。原来的基座上雕刻着16只起立欢呼的狒狒,它们对着升起的太阳举起前爪。由于狒狒在埃及文化中是智慧神托特的化身,但在19世纪的欧洲审美看来这些雕像的生殖崇拜意味过于明显,因此巴黎方尖碑被换上了现代基座。如果你想看最原汁原味的狒狒底座,只能在卢克索神庙剩下的这一座底部寻找历史的痕迹。这些狒狒的刻画非常生动,甚至能看清它们胸前的毛发纹路。
想要拍出方尖碑的高级感,清晨六点半神庙刚开门或者傍晚日落前是一天中最好的时候。白天的光线太直,会让石碑表面的象形文字显得扁平。到了下午四点左右,侧逆光会勾勒出碑身的轮廓,这时候你可以站在神庙大门前的狮身人面像大道(Avenue of Sphinxes)上往北看,方尖碑与两尊拉美西斯二世坐像构成的画面极具压迫感。另外,神庙晚上的亮灯时间也非常值得留下来。明亮的暖黄色灯光从底部打向尖端,这时候的方尖碑看起来比白天更显得神圣且高大。
目前卢克索神庙的成人门票价格大约在450至500埃及镑之间(建议出发前查看官网最新信息,埃及门票涨价较为频繁)。如果你持有国际学生证(ISIC),可以享受半价优惠。神庙就在卢克索市区中心,就在尼罗河边,距离卢克索火车站走路也就10分钟。完全不需要打车,沿着滨河大道散步过来是最舒服的方式。进门后,你会先经过方尖碑,别急着进去,多留点时间在碑下转转,因为一旦进入第一塔门,你就很难再拍到它完整的全身照了。
原本成对的两座方尖碑现在卢克索现场只剩下一座,位于正门入口的左侧。右侧的那一座在19世纪被埃及政府赠送给了法国,目前矗立在巴黎协和广场,成为了巴黎最古老的纪念碑。
这是古埃及工匠刻意为之的防伪与美学设计。通过深浮雕工艺,利用埃及强烈的日光产生深邃阴影,确保法老的名号在远处也能清晰可辨。这种雕刻深度通常达到数厘米,足以抵御数千年的风化侵蚀。
如果只是走马观花,一个半小时足够,但如果你想仔细研究方尖碑的铭文、内部的亚历山大大帝祭坛以及狮身人面像大道,建议至少预留三小时。建议下午四点左右入场,这样可以同时看到日落前的金色余晖和天黑后的神庙灯光秀。
这些狒狒代表着向太阳神致敬。在古埃及神话中,狒狒在黎明时分的啼叫被认为是它们在迎接太阳的升起。在方尖碑基座上雕刻狒狒,是为了强化方尖碑作为太阳神化身、连接天地沟通的宗教功能。
Ahmed Almuharaq The Remaining Luxor Obelisk, also known as the Luxor Obelisk, is a monumental ancient Egyptian obelisk located in the center of the Place de la Concorde in Paris, France. Originally erected at the entrance of the Luxor Temple in ancient Thebes (modern-day Luxor, Egypt), the obelisk was gifted to France by the viceroy of Egypt, Muhammad Ali Pasha, in the 19th century. Constructed during the reign of Ramesses II in the 13th century BCE, the Luxor Obelisk is one of a pair, with its twin still standing at the entrance of the Luxor Temple. Made of pink granite and standing over 23 meters (75 feet) tall, the obelisk is adorned with hieroglyphs and inscriptions commemorating the achievements of Ramesses II and honoring the god Amun. The transportation of the Luxor Obelisk to Paris was a remarkable feat of engineering and diplomacy, undertaken in the early 1830s. After its arrival in France, the obelisk was erected in its current location in 1836 and has since become one of the iconic landmarks of the city. Today, the Luxor Obelisk stands as a symbol of Franco-Egyptian friendship and serves as a reminder of the cultural and historical connections between Egypt and France. It remains a popular tourist attraction and a focal point for public gatherings and events in the heart of Paris.
Abdul Goffar The way to know the history is visiting historical place
Ana-Maria Anghel We were lucky to visit the Luxor Temple on a day if celebration: 100years anniversary since Tutankamon's Tomb Discovery, hence the colorful photos. From what the guide told us, this Obelisk is tied to the curse of the ancient world. Muhammad Ali gave one of the obelisks to France (now in the Place de Concorde) as a gift. At that time, the people were angry he made such a decision. So when Egipt received a new clock for Cairo Train Station, it only worked for a couple of days, then stopped - and no one was able to repair it to this day. That's why, in mockery, the Egyptians say it was a curse from the Gods.
erik spila Luxor Temple is one of the most beautiful and best preserved in Egypt. It's a shame that only one of the original two large obelisks remains. The second one is said to have been taken home as a trophy by the colonizers and now hangs out in one of the capitals of Europe. However, it would certainly be more beautiful where it was built and where it belongs. The obelisk is surrounded by hieroglyphic inscriptions on each side. It is approximately 22 meters tall and weighs over 250 tons.
Mahmoud Ebaid Mostafa Mohamed The obelisk of Ramses 2