The pylon of the temple is one of the largest gate buildings in Egypt and, with its almost 65 metres wide and 25 metres high, is only surpassed by the first three pylons in Karnak and the pylon in Edfu. It was built and decorated under Ramses II, and the reliefs on the front façade of the pylon tell of Ramses II's military achievements and his campaign against the Hittites and the related battle at the Syrian town of Kadesh. While the depictions on the western (right) tower show the Pharaoh in consultation with his officers as well as the attack of the Hittites on the Egyptian military camp, the eastern (left) tower shows battle scenes with many details from the Battle of Kadesh.

In front of the pylon there are two 14-metre-high monumental statues of Ramses II standing at the entrance, with only one of the two obelisks standing in its original place. The other one was taken out of the country in 1836 as a gift from Egypt to France. Today it stands on the famous Place de la Concorde in Paris.