Overview:

The Temple of Hatshepsut is a mortuary temple located at Deir el-Bahari, Egypt. It was constructed for the Pharaoh Hatshepsut, who was one of the first female rulers to reign over Egypt. Her temple was dedicated to the god Amon-Ra, and is renowned for its architecture and the well-preserved reliefs that currently decorate the temple. It is believed that the construction of the temple began around 1490 BC and was completed by the year 1458 BC. The temple was originally part of an expansive funerary complex constructed by Hatshepsut as she approached her death. The complex includes terraces, colonnades, and a series of shrines and temples that were connected via a wide causeway. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Egypt
Prominent Features:

The Temple of Hatshepsut is an ancient Egyptian temple located in Luxor, Egypt. The temple is dedicated to the Egyptian queen Hatshepsut, who reigned from 1478 to 1458 BCE. It was designed and constructed by her chief architect, Senenmut. The temple stands on a lofty terrace that is composed of a series of large pink sandstone steps which offer panoramic views of the cultivated fields below. The temple has two main levels; the lower level contains a pillared court, while the upper level houses the main shrine area. The shrine is dedicated to three goddesses, Hathor, Anubis, and Amun-Re, and was designed in a grand and impressive fashion inspired by the architecture of Karnak and of Montuhotep II, the king Hatshepsut overthrew. The temple is adorned with beautiful reliefs showing scenes from Hatshepsut’s rule, images of offerings to the gods, and depictions of divine protection and divine aid. Its entrance is guarded by two massive pillars topped by flagstaffs and stylized depictions of Hatshepsut’s cartouche. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Egypt.

History:

The Temple of Hatshepsut is a mortuary temple located in the Deir el-Bahri region of western Thebes, in Egypt. Built by the Eighteenth Dynasty Queen Hatshepsut, who rules Egypt between 1473-1458 B.C., it is considered one of the greatest architectural and artistic achievements of ancient Egypt. The temple is dedicated to the god Amon-Ra and honors Hatshepsut's own accomplishment as pharaoh. It is built in a terrace-style, with a grand entrance flanked by massive, decorated columns, which leads to three linked courtyards. The innermost court contains the entrance to a complex of shrines and chapels, as well as Hatshepsut's burial chamber. The walls and columns of the temple are fully decorated with depictions of the queen and her rule, including illustrations of her famous expedition to Punt (modern day Somalia) to bring back exotic plants, spices, gold, and other resources to Egypt. Originally built as an interim structure, her successor, Thutmose III subsequently erased all mention of her rule, filling her inscriptions with his own name over Hatsepsut’s. However, when he realized the significant impact of Hatshepsut’s reign, he gave her name back to the site and incorporated her into his own legacy. Since its rediscovery by Austrian Egyptologist Sir Gaston Maspero in 1881, the Temple of Hatshepsut has undergone extensive restoration and excavation works to transform it into one of the most iconic monuments of ancient Egypt, a powerful reminder of the legacy of a remarkable woman. Visit one of the famous monuments of Egypt with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The temple was built by Egyptians for the female Pharaoh Hatshepsut, who ruled for almost 22 years in ancient Egypt and is the longest ruling female pharaoh. 2. The Hatshepsut temple is considered one of the best preserved monuments in the Karnak and Luxor area. 3. The temple was built in a combination of ancient Egyptian and Greek architectural elements. 4. Hatshepsut temple was dedicated to the worship of the goddess Hathor, the goddess of love and beauty. 5. Hatshepsut temple is home to amazing paintings and carvings of many gods and goddesses, as well as animals. 6. It also has obelisks, pillars, and courtyards with beautiful gardens planted with a variety of trees and shrubs. 7. The temple was meant to show Hatshepsut's success as a ruler. She was known for her skillful diplomacy, expansion of trading routes, and military ventures. 8. The entrance to the temple is through two statues of Hatshepsut as a female sphinx. 9. Along the walls of the main courtyard are large carvings of scenes showing her military campaigns in Syria, and images of the gods and goddesses of the time. 10. The temple is now a popular tourist site, attracting thousands of visitors each year. One of the historical monuments of Egypt, it tells the story of a bygone era