17th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Travel
A mystic stairwell found tucked deep inside of an ancient Egyptian temple.

In the temple of Edfu, dedicated to the victory of the God Horus over the evil crocodile God Sobek, are two stairwells. One going straight down and the other spiraling upward. It is said that Horus would fly up the spiral stairs and into the sky to heal himself, and dive back down thru the other stairwell. The carvings on the side walls are the numerous other gods, praising and congratulating Horus for defeating Sobek.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 02.2019
Date Uploaded: 07.2019
Photo Location: Edfu, Egypt
Camera: iPhone 6s
Copyright: © Surabhi Sihna