The first of the series of small buildings on the right after the front gate is a Roman mammisis from the time of Emperor Trajan. The reliefs depict Hathor and Horus raising their god-son. The second building is the scanty remains of a Coptic Basilica (5th or 6th century). The third is the mammisis of Nakhtanebo featuring more god-raising scenes. Farther around the outside of the temple running counter-clockwise are the remains of a sacred lake, a Greek anastorium, a small Temple of Isis (see story in Abydos, above), and a well. Note the Nilometer. (Open daily 6am-7pm. Admission to the site LE6, students LE3-)

The cheapest way to reach the antiquities at Dendera (8km from Qena) is to take a service taxi (25pt) that will drop you off at a fork in the road just lkm from the site. From there, follow the paved road to the left.

You may want to spend an evening at the Hotel Dendera, right near the site, where locals smoke sheeshas and swill Stella until the empty bottles obscure them from view. The public garden outside is an excellent spot for gazing at the temple, the deep blue sky, and stars more plentiful than you’ve ever seen. Pretend you are Pharaonic royalty and let your imagination roam.