Landmark in the Nubian desert, Jebel Barkal ("Jebel" means mountain in Arabic) can be seen from a few dozens of kilometres whilst still in the open desert.  At the foot of this wonderful isolated red sandstone mountain with cliffs and considered holy since the ancient times there is the big temple, dedicated to the Pharaohs of the New Reign and to their patron Amon.  The Amon's ancient "Pure Mountain", the Olympus of the Nubians, had been the religious Nubian heart for more than 1700 years.  Besides the ruins of the big temple there are still several sculptured granite rams that were supposed to border a long avenue that probably led to the pier on the Nile.  In the mountain wall there is a big room decorated with bas-relief.