The city of Abydos served many dynasties in ancient Egypt from as early as the Predynastic era to as recent as the Roman era. The big temples of Seti I and Ramesses II from the 19th dynasty dominate the main area.

This city was holy to all Egyptians. It was a center for the Osiris cult and was believed to be the gateway to the other world.

The site was believed to contain the head of Osiris after he was killed by his evil brother Seth as narrated by the ancient Egyptian legend. Osiris' wife and sister, Isis, had to collect the remains scattered by Seth all over Egypt. The final piece of his body, the head, was found in Abydos and so parts were put all together and he was brought alive again in Abydos.

Thus Osiris became the god of the dead and the judge of the underworld.
The city had therefore a great value for Egyptians and many of those who miss to visit the city during their lifetime were usually asking to be buried there.

In addition to the main temples of Seti I and Ramesses II, Abydos has remains of a complex built by Senwosret II of the 12th dynasty and another one built by Ahmose of the 18th dynasty including a ruined pyramid.