The Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, also known as Deir el Bahari, is a major archaeological site located in the region of Thebes, in Egypt. This magnificent temple was built in honor ofHatshepsut, the first woman to reign as pharaoh, and remains an outstanding example of Egyptian architecture.
The location and historical background of the temple
The temple of Hatshepsut is nestled against the cliffs on the west bank of the Nile, near the Valley of the Kings, in a region that includes several funerary temples and royal tombs. Hatshepsut ruled as pharaoh in the early New Kingdom of Egypt, and his temple was designed by the royal architect Senenmut, who was also his advisor and possibly his lover.
Architecture and design of the temple
The temple is notable for its unique terraced design and monumental facade. It is composed of three levels of successive terraces, linked together by ramps, and surrounded by colonnades and pillars. This terraced design is inspired by the architecture of the funerary temple of Mentuhotep II, located nearby.
The reliefs and carvings of the temple
The reliefs and sculptures in the temple bear witness to the greatness of this sovereign woman and her achievements during her reign. The scenes depicted include commercial expeditions, notably that to the land of Punt, which shows the exchange of goods and the acquisition of exotic products. Other reliefs depict religious rituals and offerings to the gods, emphasizing the central role of religion in the lives of the pharaohs.
The architectural and artistic elements of the temple
The temple ofHatshepsut presents several remarkable architectural and artistic elements, such as:
- The sanctuary of Amon-Rê: Located at the top of the terraces, this sanctuary housed the statue of the god Amon-Rê, the main god of the Egyptian pantheon.
- The Chapel of Hathor: This chapel dedicated to Hathor, goddess of love, beauty and motherhood, is adorned with magnificent paintings and sculptures.
- Statues of Hatshepsout: Monumental statues representing Hatshepsout in the form of Osiris, god of death and resurrection, punctuate the temple.
Posterity and the Preservation of the Temple
After the death ofHatshepsut, his successor Tuthmosis III attempted to erase his memory by destroying or altering some of his depictions in the temple. However, these acts failed to completely erase his legacy. The Temple of Hatshepsut was rediscovered in the 19th century and has been the subject of numerous restorations and archaeological excavations since then.
Average temperatures and climate
Month | (° C) | (° F) | Weather | Climate |
---|---|---|---|---|
January | 15 | 59 | ☀️ | Sec |
February | 17 | 63 | ☀️ | Sec |
Mars | 22 | 72 | ☀️ | Sec |
April | 28 | 82 | ☀️ | Sec |
May | 33 | 91 | ☀️ | Sec |
June | 36 | 97 | ☀️ | Sec |
July | 37 | 99 | ☀️ | Sec |
August | 37 | 99 | ☀️ | Sec |
September | 34 | 93 | ☀️ | Sec |
October | 30 | 86 | ☀️ | Sec |
November | 24 | 75 | ☀️ | Sec |
December | 18 | 64 | ☀️ | Sec |
Schedules and info
Opening hours: 6 a.m. to 17 p.m. in winter and 6 a.m. to 18 p.m. in summer.
Entrance fee: EGP 100 for adults, EGP 50 for students.
Average price of a guide: 250 to 350 EGP
Other archaeological sites
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Edfu |