Temple of Hatshepsut, Luxor
Egyptian Temples & Tombs | admin | March 5, 2010 at 4:13 amThe Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut (‘Djeser Djeseru’ meaning Splendor of Splendors) is located beneath the cliffs at Deir el Bahari (Northern Monastery) complex of mortuary temples and tombs on the west bank of Nile River near the Valley of Kings in Egypt, opposite to the city of Luxor (Ancient Thebes). The temple, located next to the mortuary temple of Mentuhotep II, was designed by Senemut, Queen Hatshepushut’s architect and it is dedicated to Sun God Amon-Ra.
Statues and sphinxes of the queen lie proliferated throughout the temple campus. Many of these statues have been gradually restored by the excavators. Some of the remains have been presrved in the Cairo Museum whil others have found place in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
Queen Hatshepsut:
Maatkare Hatshepsut (late 16th century BC – 1482 BC) was the fifth Pharaoh of the 18th dynasty of Ancient Egypt. Hatshepsut is considered as one of the most successful pharaohs who had ruled longer than any other female indigenous ruler of Egypt. Hatshepsut was the daughter of Pharaoh Tuthmosis I and Queen Ahmosis and wife of his successor Tuthmosis II. The queen did not bear a son to Tuthmosis II and after the latter’s death, she became the co-regent of her stepson, Tuthmosis III and soon emerged absolutely powerful. During her reign of over two decades, the pharaoh had carried out extensive efforts for Egypt’s revival. She was succeeded by Tuthmosis III.
Luxor Egypt Tourist Attractions:
- A 100-foot causeway leading to the temple and consisting of three terraced courtyards covered in sculptural reliefs.
- Pairs of lions flanked the top and bottom of the ramp to the Middle Terrace and one of each pair survives today.
- Birth Colonnade located on the right side of the terrace and it features reliefs, although in faded condition, of Hatshepsut’s divine origins.
- Chapel of Anubis located at the end of the Birth Colonnade and a few steps down.
- Punt Colonnade on the left side of the terrace featuring faint reliefs that depict Hatshepsut’s journey to the Land of Punt (the birthplace of Amun)
- Chapel of Hathor located at the end of the Punt Colonnade
- Sanctuary of Amun pointing towards Hatshepsut’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings.
Luxor Climate:
Luxor is hotter than hot. Even the winter season can see the mercury reaching 30 degree Celcius.
Best Time to Visit Luxor:
October to March is the best time to visit Luxor.
How to Get to Luxor:
- By air:
Luxor International Airport is located 6 km east of the city of Luxor. The airport is well connected from various European cities. Egypt Air operates daily flights from Cairo to Luxor. - By rail:
Luxor’s main railhead is located in El-Mahata Square. Frequent trains link Luxor with Cairo, Aswan, Edfu and Kom Ombo.
Luxor Accommodation:
- Hilton Luxor Resort and Spa
Other Luxor hotels:
- Iberotel Luxor
- Sheraton Luxor Resort
- El Luxor Hotel
- Pyramisa Isis Hotel & Suites Luxor
- Steigenberger Nile Palace Luxor Hotel
- Morris Hotel
- Mara House
- Golden Palace Hotel
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Hatshepsut was one of the most prolific builders in ancient Egypt, commissioning hundreds of construction projects throughout both Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt, that were grander and more numerous than those of any of her Middle Kingdom predecessors. Later pharaohs attempted to claim some of her projects as theirs.
She employed the great architect Ineni, who also had worked for her father, her husband, and for the royal steward Senemut. During her reign, so much statuary was produced that almost every major museum in the world has Hatshepsut statuary among their collections; for instance, the Hatshepsut Room in New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art is dedicated solely to some of these pieces.