Temple of Hatshepsut: History, Facts & Travel Tips

In Deir el-Bahari, just next to Luxor in Egypt, the Temple of Hatshepsut displays some of the best examples of ancient Egyptian architecture. It features a series of terraces, colonnaded walls, and carved reliefs. Because it shares much information on ancient Egypt and its only female pharaoh, the temple is seen as necessary for those interested in the country’s past.

Find out more about Pharaoh Hatshepsut’s mortuary temple

Overview of the Temple of Hatshepsut

The Temple of Hatshepsut is a magnificent ancient structure showcasing Egypt’s architectural brilliance and royal history.

Location

Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut in Deir el-Bahari, Egypt. The landscape surrounding the mountainous area influenced the way the temple was carefully designed. The structure was constructed for Hatshepsut, Egypt’s leading female ruler, who took the royal name, titles and ornaments. Because of where it is, the temple is even more impressive and meaningful in Egyptian history.

Open hours and entrance fee

You can tour the Temple of Hatshepsut at any time between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM every day. Arriving early in the morning helps you avoid the heat and large crowds and the heat.

Currently, adults will pay about 140 EGP and students with ID will pay 70 EGP for entry. As prices may vary slightly, you should check with authorities or local tour services before your time of travel.

A brief look at the Temple of Hatshepsut

History of Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut

Hatshepsut’s Mortuary Temple, in Deir el-Bahri not far from Luxor, was built in the 18th Dynasty around 1479–1458 BCE. Pharaoh Hatshepsut, a leading Egyptian woman of power, ordered the construction of this temple to honor the god Amun.

This temple, designed by Senenmut, is a brilliant achievement from ancient Egypt. A special three-level terrace layout gives the chapel a natural appearance next to the Theban cliffs. The levels are linked by broad ramps and the walls have bright reliefs showing how Hatshepsut became a goddess, went on trading journeys to Punt and performed various religious acts.

Besides honoring Hatshepsut’s authority, the temple showed her as a pharaoh by divine right, unlike previous woman rulers. Many of Hatshepsut’s images and names were chiseled out or defaced by Thutmose III.

Yet, Hatshepsut’s temple is known for being among the finest and best-preserved ancient Egyptian religious structures. At present, it shows how Hatshepsut’s ambition, thinking and long-lasting effect were expressed in her time.

Historical background of the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut

Facts about the Temple of Hatshepsut

The Temple of Hatshepsut is one of ancient Egypt’s most iconic and architecturally unique monuments. Here are some key facts that highlight its significance:

• Location: The temple is found at Deir el-Bahri, west of Luxor on the Nile bank in the Theban Necropolis.
• Builder: The site was commissioned by Pharaoh Hatshepsut, who was one of Egypt’s strongest female leaders in the 18th Dynasty.
• Architect: The royal architect and closest adviser to Hatshepsut, named Senenmut, designed it.
• Design: Constructed as a series of terraces lined by long ramps and columns, the building fits well with the nearby rocks.
• Hatshepsut’s purpose for the temple was to bury the dead and worship the most important deity Amun-Ra.
• Paintings and carvings: On the walls, the scenes covered are Hatshepsut’s birth, the Punt trip and other important religious practices.
• Many of Hatshepsut’s pictures were harmed or removed by her successor, Thutmose III.
• Even though the temple was once damaged, it survives in good condition and is an essential landmark for tourists and archaeologists.

This temple stands as a testament to Hatshepsut’s legacy and Egypt’s rich cultural heritage.

Important details about the Temple of Hatshepsut

Construction of the temple

During Egypt’s 18th Dynasty, around 15 centuries BCE, Pharaoh Hatshepsut built the Temple of Hatshepsut. Deir el-Bahri, where the temple named Djeser-Djeseru was constructed. Hatshepsut and Amun-Ra were honored with the construction of the temple as a mortuary temple.

The temple was designed and overseen during construction by Senenmut, the king’s trusted architect. His structure integrated well with the nearby limestone cliffs and seemed to go with the natural scenery around it. Although the temple’s style was similar to the Temple of Mentuhotep II, it added larger dimensions and more symmetry to that original design.

Most of the temple was built from limestone using careful engineering methods popular back then. Three levels are joined on this terraced theater by broad central ramps. Colonnades line the terraces which once held artwork on the architraves and the ceilings above.

Many reliefs and inscriptions inside the temple describe major points in Hatshepsut’s rule, including her birth and the trip made to the Land of Punt. These scenes were carved to demonstrate her divine legitimacy to rule.

Because Thutmose III tried to whitewash his predecessor’s achievements, Hatshepsut’s temple survives as one of the most intact examples of ancient Egyptian architecture, with interesting political elements.

How the Temple was constructed

Religious and cultural importance

Religious and cultural importance in ancient Egypt was placed on the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut. Amun-Ra, chief of the New Kingdom, was honored by its construction and it was built as a space for rituals performed for Hatshepsut’s afterlife.

Every year, the central role of the temple helped stage the Beautiful Festival of the Valley, in which the god Amun’s statue crossed the Nile to visit the mortuary temples on the west bank. During the ritual, visitors prayed at Hatshepsut’s temple to confirm her ongoing place among the gods and support her myths.

Culturally, Hatshepsut showed her right to rule by building her temple. Thanks to detailed models, it celebrates Hatshepsut’s divine birth, her achievements as a ruler, and the expedition to Punt.

Having religious and political messaging in the temples meant they stood for female authority in a world where men were in charge. Her astonishing reign and the deep religion practiced by the ancient Egyptians are clearly visible there today.

Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut reconstruction

A major task in preserving one of ancient Egypt’s greatest structures has been the reconstruction of the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut. After many centuries of harm from natural causes, looting and deliberate attempts by Thutmose III to remove Hatshepsut’s legacy, the temple lay in ruins.

In 1937, a Polish-Egyptian archaeological mission led by Kazimierz Michałowski initiated modern restoration which continues actively at the site. What they do is work on firming up the structure, reestablishing key artifacts and assembling things as they used to be with both fragments from the past and modern tools.

Important details, including the colonnades, terraces and inner chapels, have all been thoroughly revived to look like they did before. Historical and religious tales on the temple are being protected by cleaning and restoring its inscriptions and reliefs.

The reconstruction work continues to keep the site safe and increase its value for people in the future.

Conservation work on Hatshepsut’s Mortuary Temple

Best time to visit

The best time to visit the Temple of Hatshepsut is during Egypt’s cooler, more comfortable months. Here’s what to consider:

• October to April are the top months to go, as temperatures stay within 20°C and 30°C (68°F and 86°F).
• It’s best to be there by 6:00–8:00 AM, because the weather and crowds will be less of an issue.
• In the months of June, July and August, the heat may get as high as 40°C (104°F) or even higher.
• You’ll usually spot less foot traffic at the facility when it’s a work day, but more at the weekend and on public holidays.

How to get there

Reaching the Temple of Hatshepsut is easy if you're staying in or near Luxor, Egypt. Here are the most common ways to get there:

• Getting into a private taxi in central Luxor takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Plan and discuss the cost with the driver ahead of taking a tuk tuk trip.
• A stop at the temple is common on full-day guided tours around Luxor.
• For travelers wishing for adventure, renting a bike and going over the Nile by either bridge or water is possible.
• Reaching the site by road is possible by taking a public ferry across the Nile and using a car or minibus from the other side.

Travel tips for exploring the Temple of Hatshepsut

Exploring the Temple of Hatshepsut can be a highlight of your trip to Luxor. To make the most of your visit, keep these practical travel tips in mind:

• Pick a morning hour: Between 6:00 AM and 9:00 AM is perfect to enjoy the nice weather and have less company.
• For your comfort, wear things that move easily and feel right on the feet as walking to the temple can be tough on flat stones.
• Don’t forget the sunblock, because it is mostly in the open. Take sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat to keep the sun’s rays out of your reach.
• Carry some water with you during the hot season, as there are limited places to buy drinks at the temple site.
• You can better learn about the temple’s history, art and symbols by having a local guide explain things to you.
• Pair your tour with places like the Valley of the Kings and the Colossi of Memnon nearby.
• Remember to check your tickets: Some ticket bundles or guided tours include multiple sites around Luxor.
• Avoid damaging the monument by touching its reliefs and use the signs to help preserve it.

Following these tips will ensure a safe, comfortable, and insightful visit to one of Egypt’s most remarkable ancient temples.

FAQs about Temple of Hatshepsut

Discover answers to the most common questions about visiting, history, and significance of the Temple of Hatshepsut in Egypt.

Why is the Temple of Hatshepsut so important?

This temple stands out for its architecture, important history and cultural meaning. The monuments built for Egypt’s top female king represent masterful architecture, strong belief in Amun-Ra and authority over the kingdom. Reliefs such as the Punt expedition story in the tomb make this sculpture a key source for learning about ancient Egyptian civilization and leaders.

Which Egyptian queen was buried with her dog?

There is no direct evidence Hatshepsut was buried with a dog. This appears to be a modern myth. However, ancient Egyptians did value animals symbolically, and some nobles were buried with pets, though this is not definitively recorded in Hatshepsut’s case. 

How old is Hatshepsut Temple?

Constructed in the 18th Dynasty between 1479 and 1458 BCE, the Temple of Hatshepsut is more than 3,400 years old. During the rule of Pharaoh Hatshepsut, it was built and has remained one of the strongest and most finely crafted temples of Egypt.

What god did Hatshepsut worship?

Pharaoh Hatshepsut was a devoted follower of Amun-Ra, the principal deity of the New Kingdom. Her faith and loyalty to Amun-Ra were honored with the temple for royal burials at Deir el-Bahri. Her role as pharaoh was certainly confirmed in the temples and ceremonies which declared she was chosen by the god.

In conclusion

The temple near Luxor in Egypt is in Deir el-Bahri and it was built by Hatshepsut. In the 18th Dynasty, Queen Hatshepsut commissioned the temple at Deir el-Bahri in her own name and the name of god Amun-Ra. Thanks to its terraces, colonnades and well-made reliefs, people in ancient Egypt knew it as a very famous temple.