Sphinx of Thutmosis III
Egypt’s Sphinx of Thutmosis III presents a compact guardian with a lion’s body and a king’s head. Dark granodiorite gives the sculpture a deep, almost metallic sheen. Polished thousands of years ago, the stone still carries traces of ancient hands and softened edges. Its forward-facing eyes create a calm, watchful presence.
Ancient Heliopolis, where the statue was found, placed sphinxes near temple entrances as thresholds between human and sacred realms. Thutmosis III used this form to express royal protection of the gods’ domain. Burial, reuse and rediscovery left marks of devotion and destruction across its surface. That small guardian joins earthly power to divine wisdom in one dark stone.
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Take this page with you
The myTuur app is free, and once you are standing at a spot its story starts by itself.
Spots like this one are the stops myTuur strings into tours through Cairo. In the app, each story begins where you stand: walk up to a spot and it starts, read it on screen or listen as you go, then follow the route to the next one.
What is myTuur?
myTuur is a free city-guide app. Its tours are built from spots, and each spot carries a story that starts when you get there, to read or to listen to as you like.