Queen Hatshepsut Temple

The Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut (1479-1458 BCE)

Luxor is blessed with a number of heavenly pieces of art that showcases the extraordinary elements on which this great civilization was build on and showcases all the reasons why Hatshepsut was the greatest pharaoh in the history of ancient Egypt. The temple of Hatshepsut is the finest example of the brilliant architecture that once existed during the days of ancient Egypt.

The Story Beyond the Mesmerizing Hatshepsut Temple

This extraordinary beautiful Hatshepsut temple is also known as Djeser-Djeseru (Holy of Holies) which was built for the Eighteenth Dynasty “Pharaoh Queen Hatshepsut“. It is one of the incomparable temples of ancient Egypt that is considered to be the greatest ancient Egyptian achievements. It is dedicated to the history of Hatshepsut and the creator god Amun. The Egyptian monarch had the duties to honor their Gods and Pharaohs and preserve their memory until eternity through the construction of tombs and temples. Queen Hatshepsut saw the temple as a means to elevate her public image and immortalize her name; the Mortuary temple achieved both ends. She was considered the daughter of a very powerful god in Egypt and ruled for about two decades in the image of a man as the Egyptians didn’t allow women to be the ruler of the country.

Short Description about Queen Hatshepsut Reign

Queen Hatshepsut was the daughter of King Thutmose I and his wife Ahmose. Thutmose I had a son from his secondary marriage from Mutnofret who is called “Thutmose II“. Following the tradition, Hatshepsut married Thutmose II before she was 20 years old. Queen Hatshepsut was elevated to the great position of the wife of god Amun, which is the higher position a woman can get in Egypt which provides her with a great political position. Her husband died and his son was still a child, so she controlled the affairs of the state as a co-regent until she was crowned Pharaoh of Egypt.

Her reign was the most peaceful and prosperous in the history of Egypt. She is characterized by successful trade, economy, and many public works projects which provided jobs for laborers from across the nation.

Hatshepsut Temple Location

Queen Hatshepsut temple is located in Upper Egypt beneath the cliffs of “Deir El-Bahari“, a name that derives from the former monastery built during the Coptic era, about 17 miles northwest of Luxor on the west bank of the river in western Thebes, the great capital of Egypt during Egypt New Kingdom (1550- 1050 BC). It is sited next to the mortuary temple of Mentuhotep II and marks the entrance of the Valley of the Kings that you can visit during your luxury Egypt tours.

The Design of Hatshepsut Temple

Queen Hatshepsut gave the order to construct this magnificent temple in 1479 B.C. She built the temple to tell the story of her life, whose construction took about fifteen years to complete. The temple was designed by Hatshepsut’s organizer; Senenmut. He designed it carefully based on the Temple of Mentuhotep II but he made every single aspect even larger. The temple has three levels and the three of them reflect accurately featured colonnade.

On the Ground Level, there was a garden with exotic trees from Hatshepsut’s expeditions to punt but unfortunately, it disappeared. Behind the courtyard, there were colonnades with square pillars. There are decorations that include Tuthmosis III standing in front of Amun, and some scenes depicting the marshes of Lower Egypt. You can go through archways that can lead you to the second level.

The Second Level holds two reflecting pools and sphinxes, which were lining the pathway to another ramp. It contains one of the first pictorial documentation of a trade expedition. There is also a shrine for the Goddess Hathor, who is depicted with a woman’s face and a cow’s ears, holding a musical instrument. The Birth Colonnade is located on the right side of the ramp that tells the story of Hatshepsut’s creation with Amun, and the punt colonnade, which is on the left side of the ramp and reveals her glorious expedition to the mysterious ‘Land of the Gods‘, which the Egyptians had not visited in centuries. There are also Hathor Chapel that contains a hypostyle hall with twelve beautiful Hathor-headed columns and Anubis Chapel, which has a hypostyle hall with twelve fluted columns and an astronomical ceiling.

The Third Level houses a portico with double rows of columns that face the front. All images of Queen Hatshepsut have been destroyed and replaced with images of King Tutmosis III. There is also the sanctuary of Amun that lies behind the courtyard. It was rebuilt during the Ptolemaic period and rededicated to Imhotep.

The Historical Influence of Hatshepsut Temple

This incredible temple is considered to be the closest to ancient Egyptian history. It aggrandizes the pharaoh and includes sanctuaries to honor the gods relevant to her afterlife. The construction of this temple is mirrored on the following temples of the new kingdom.

Things You Can See at Hatshepsut Temple

Although some elements of this superb historic structure were damaged from vandalism, many travelers during their Egypt tour packages said that this site is well-preserved and worthy of a visit. This astonishing temple rises on three enormous terraces connected by ramps. It is open daily from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is a bazaar (or marketplace with various goods) that sits just outside of the property’s entrance. Inside this outstanding temple, you can see the Birth colonnade & the Punt colonnade, Hathor chapel & Anubis chapel, and the sanctuary of Amun.

While being in Egypt, you definitely have to visit the unforgettable Hatshepsut Temple Especially if you chose one of our best Egypt tours.