Egypt

Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon

The Temple of Hatshepsut, as beautiful as it is difficult to write, is a temple located near Luxor and is part of the Deir el Bahari complex of temples and tombs.

It is excavated in the rock and is dedicated to Hatshepshut, the only woman who reigned in Egypt. However, Hatshepshut is represented as if she were a man. Nearby are two curious gigantic statues that are worth a visit even if it is short, the Colossi of Memnon.

We recommend you take this excursion to the Valleys of the Kings and Queens, the Colossi of Memnon and the Temple of Hatshepsut.

Visit the Mortuary Temple of Hatsehpsut

Egypt - Temple of HatsehpsutThis temple is different from the rest that can be seen in Egypt. It does not have the usual structure of the rest of the temples that you can see.

It is excavated in the rock and has a series of terraces on the outside which are ascended through various ramps. The three terraces reach 30 meters in height.

Formerly, there was a large avenue with sphinxes surrounded by trees that headed towards the entrance but today they have disappeared.

After the entrance, where there was a patio, you access the first terrace with various columns and where there were two lakes in its day.

Egypt - Temple of Hatsehpsut. - ExteriorAnother ramp leads to the second terrace where there are 22 square pillars and where the reliefs and various chapels stand out, such as that of Hathor formed by 2 hypostyle halls.

On the third terrace, also with 22 pillars, is the queen’s offering chamber and the sanctuary where the solar boat was located.

The temple was partially destroyed by Tuthmosis III, Hatsehpsut ‘s brother after her death, due to the great rivalry they maintained for power in Egypt.

In fact, we find practically nothing of Hatsehpsut in the temple and we do find nothing of Thutmose III.

The Colossi of Memnon

Egypt- Colossi of MemnonThe Colossi of Memnon are two gigantic statues that represent Amenhotep III in a seated position with his hands on his knees.

In their day they stood at the entrance to the mortuary temple of Amenhotep III, a temple now defunct but once larger than even the Temple of Karnak.

In ancient times, the one on the right was called the ” Talking Colossus ” because at sunrise it emitted a mysterious sound.

This was due to the fact that after an earthquake there was a fissure in the statue where the water evaporated when the sun rose due to the change in temperature. This phenomenon ended when it was restored in the 3rd century.

Useful information

It is recommended to go to these places first thing in the morning since the heat is suffocating. The best way to get here, if you do not include the visit in your organized trip or go on your own, is by taxi from Luxor (where you can visit Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple) and agree to visit both monuments.

Due to the 1997 attacks on the Temple of Hatsehpsut it is not possible to get there by bus or taxi, so from the entrance you can walk or take a tourist train.

From the entrance you will get some beautiful photos of this temple. Admission costs 25LE. The colossi can be viewed for free.

Nearby there is an alabaster factory where you will most likely be taken on your tour.

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