Abydos is one of ancient Egypt's most sacred places, a city of the dead where, according to legend, the god Osiris was buried. The Temple of Seti I here isn't merely a religious structure but a true encyclopedia of Egyptian art with the best-preserved reliefs in the country.

Sacred City of Osiris

For ancient Egyptians, Abydos was what Mecca is to Muslims or Jerusalem to Christians. Legend held that here Isis found the head of dismembered Osiris and buried it. Every Egyptian dreamed of making a pilgrimage here at least once in their lifetime.

Those who couldn't come while alive bequeathed ha...