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Temple of Queen Hatshepsut - Luxor

 

Entrance to the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut in Luxor is through a purpose built souk (bazaar) which caters mainly for the tourists. In it’s glory days, this temple had gardens of frankincense trees and other rare plants brought from Punt. 

Just before the temple, to the left, there is a tomb of Monthemhat. He was Governor of High Egypt (670-648 BC) and the fourth Prophet of Amon. Tomb of Senenmut is located in the nearby hills of Deir el-Bahari. Senenmut was an 18th dynasty ancient Egyptian architect and government official. There are two tree stumps belonging to  trees which were brought from the Land of Punt. This expedition to Punt was sponsored by the Queen Hatshepsut and it is depicted on the Hatshepsut Temple walls.

Entrance to the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut is through a bazaar
Entrance to the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut is through a bazaar
A model of the Hatshepsut Temple
A model of the Hatshepsut Temple
A policeman is sitting next to the entry gate of the tomb of Monthemhat
Tomb of Senenmut is located in the nearby hills of Deir el-Bahari
Tomb of Senenmut is located in the nearby hills of Deir el-Bahari
This stump belongs to one of the trees which were brought from the Land of Punt
This stump belongs to one of the trees which were brought from the Land of Punt
Stump of another tree at the entrance
A colonnaded design of the Hatshepsut Temple
Hatshepsut was the fifth pharaoh of the eighteenth dynasty of Egypt
Hatshepsut was the fifth pharaoh of the eighteenth dynasty of Egypt
Hills of Deir el-Bahari at the back of the temple
Temple of Queen Hatshepsut in Luxor
Temple of Queen Hatshepsut in Luxor

History of Queen Hatshepsut Temple

The Hatshepsut Temple was built by Queen Hatshepsut, stepmother of pharaoh Thutmose III. Hills of Deir el-Bahari provide perfect backdrop for these beautiful monuments. Hatshepsut was the fifth pharaoh of the eighteenth dynasty of Egypt and she reigned between 1508–1458 BC.

The Mortuary Temple of Mentuhotep was used as a model to build this temple but structures are different in many ways.

A ramp brings visitors to the upper part of the temple which has three levels in total. The construction of the temple of Hatshepsut took fifteen years, between the 7th and the 22nd years of her reign. Statues of Osirian (An Egyptian god of afterlife) at the Hatshepsut Temple and eagle guardian sits at the start of the ramp.

This ramp brings visitors to the upper part of the temple
This ramp brings visitors to the upper part of the temple
A small corridor between the temple walls and the columns
Hieroglyphic decorations at the bottom of one of the columns
Hieroglyphic decorations at the bottom of one of the columns
A decorated column inside the temple
A decorated column inside the temple
Side walls of the Hatshepsut Temple - Luxor
Side walls of the Hatshepsut Temple - Luxor
Colonnades and statues to the left side of the temple
Just to the left of this hill excavation work was being carried out
Egyptian soldiers and boat sailing relief on wall of the Hatshepsut Temple
Egyptian soldiers and boat sailing relief on wall of the Hatshepsut Temple
Statues of Osirian (An Egyptian god of afterlife)
Statues of Osirian (An Egyptian god of afterlife)
A close up of a Osirian
Looking downwards from the ramp of the temple
Looking downwards from the ramp of the temple
It was a very hot day in Luxor (November) - there was no shade and once out in open, one was at Sun's mercy
It was a very hot day in Luxor in November) and there was no shade
This eagle guardian sits at the start of the ramp
This eagle guardian sits at the start of the ramp
A side view of the eagle - Queen Hatshepsut Temple Luxor
A side view of the eagle - Queen Hatshepsut Temple Luxor
Reliefs on the wall of the Hatshepsut Temple
Reliefs on the wall of the Hatshepsut Temple

Reliefs on temple walls

The Polish Academy of Sciences is responsible for the renovation and further excavation of the area. A relief on the temple wall shows the Apis Bull, it was worshipped in the Memphis region. On the wall, Egyptian soldiers are depicted on tample wall undergoing the expedition to the Land of Punt. The walls of this temple have lots of details but most of them were faded. 

The Mortuary Temple of Mentuhotep is beside the temple of Queen Hatshepsut, to the left side when facing the Hatshepsut Temple. The temple has nothing left but just ruins.

A statue of Queen Hatshepsut
A statue of Queen Hatshepsut
The Polish Academy of Sciences is responsible for the renovation and further excavation of the area
The Polish Academy of Sciences is responsible for the renovation and further excavation of the area
This relief shows goddess Hathor in bovine form with Hatshepsut
This relief shows goddess Hathor in bovine form with Hatshepsut
A relief on the temple wall shows the Apis Bull, it was worshipped in the Memphis region
A relief on the temple wall shows the Apis Bull, it was worshipped in the Memphis region
Decorated walls of the temple
Decorated walls of the temple
Egyptian soldiers are depicted on tample wall undergoing the expedition to the Land of Punt
Egyptian soldiers are depicted on tample wall undergoing the expedition to the Land of Punt
Walls of this temple have lots of details but most of them were faded
Walls of this temple have lots of details but most of them were faded
This structure appears to be part of the complex but there were no information about it
This structure appears to be part of the complex but there were no information about it
Left side of the Temple of Hatshepsut and the ramp
Left side of the Temple of Hatshepsut and the ramp
In this photo middle level is hidden between the first and the second level
In this photo middle level is hidden between the first and the second level
Waiting area for the tourists for cars to bring them to the drop off area
Waiting area for the tourists for cars to bring them to the drop off area