FRANCIS BEDFORD (1815-94)
Great Court of the Temple - enclosing remains of Christian church [Medinet Habu, Thebes]
17 Mar 1862RCIN 2700894
The early Coptic Christians in Egypt sometimes used the ruins of temples as places for worship. In the Great Court (or second court) of this vast temple to Ramesses III, a church was constructed. Bedford’s photograph shows some of the columns from the church still standing, with many others lying on the ground. Today all traces of the church have disappeared.
Acquired by the Prince of Wales, 1862