Karnak is the name of Egypt's largest temple complex dedicated primarily to Amun.
Built at ancient Thebes, near modern Luxor, Karnak was not a single temple erected by one ruler. It is a vast collection of sanctuaries, pylons, courts, obelisks, statues, and sacred spaces expanded over roughly 2,000 years. Pharaohs from the Middle Kingdom through the Ptolemaic period added monuments to strengthen their connection with the gods and display royal power.
The complex's largest section is the Precinct of Amun-Re, dedicated to Amun after his identification with the solar god Re. Its Great Hypostyle Hall contains 134 columns, including twelve enormous central columns, and is one of the most celebrated spaces in ancient Egyptian architecture. A sacred lake was used in ritual activities by priests.
Karnak is often confused with the nearby Luxor Temple. The two were connected by an avenue of ram-headed sphinxes, but Luxor Temple is a separate monument. Karnak's scale and centuries of expansion make it the broader temple complex.