The Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut

Nestled beneath the towering limestone cliffs of Deir el-Bahari, the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut is one of the most striking architectural achievements of ancient Egypt. Built during the 15th century BCE, the temple was commissioned by Hatshepsut, one of the few women to rule Egypt as pharaoh. Her reign was marked by prosperity, ambitious building projects, and successful trading expeditions that helped strengthen Egypt's wealth and influence.

Unlike many Egyptian temples, Hatshepsut's mortuary temple is renowned for its elegant design. Three broad terraces rise from the desert floor, connected by long ramps and framed by rows of columns. The structure blends seamlessly into the dramatic cliffs behind it, creating one of the most memorable landscapes in Egypt.

Today, visitors can admire the temple's grand scale, symmetrical design, impressive colonnades, and the breathtaking setting against the cliffs of western Thebes. Although many of the original statues, reliefs, and artefacts have been relocated to museums for preservation, the temple itself remains an extraordinary monument to Hatshepsut's vision and power.

The Colossi of Memnon

Standing guard over the Theban Necropolis for more than 3,400 years, the Colossi of Memnon are among Egypt's most recognisable ancient monuments. These two massive seated statues originally flanked the entrance to the mortuary temple of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, one of the most powerful rulers of Egypt's 18th Dynasty. Although the temple itself has largely disappeared, the colossal statues remain as enduring symbols of the grandeur of ancient Thebes.

Carved from single blocks of quartzite sandstone and rising approximately 18 metres (60 feet) high, the statues depict Amenhotep III seated on his throne, gazing eastward toward the Nile and the rising sun. Smaller figures representing members of the royal family can still be seen carved into the sides of the throne.

For modern visitors, the sheer size of the Colossi is their most striking feature. People walking around the base appear tiny by comparison, offering a vivid sense of the immense scale of the monuments. The site is a favourite stop for photographs, and it is not difficult to understand why. Standing before these weathered giants, it is easy to imagine the splendour of the vast temple complex that once surrounded them.

The photographs on this page capture both the impressive details and the overwhelming scale of the statues. Visitors and local vendors included in some images provide a useful perspective on the size of these ancient guardians, which have watched over the Nile Valley since the time of the pharaohs.