Temple of Hatshepsut (Deir el-Bahari)

The Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari on Luxor's West Bank in Egypt is one of the ancient world's most architecturally striking monuments. Built around 1470 BC for Pharaoh Hatshepsut, Egypt's most successful female ruler, the temple is designed by architect Senenmut as a series of three colonnaded terraces rising against the sheer limestone cliffs of the Theban hills. The effect is unlike any other ancient structure in Egypt: horizontal colonnades in elegant proportions contrast with the vertical drama of the natural cliff backdrop, creating a composition that has influenced architects for millennia. Visitors approach via a long ramp from a former garden forecourt, ascending through three terraces. The lower terrace colonnade features reliefs of the transport of obelisks by ship from Aswan to Karnak. The middle terrace reliefs in the Birth Colonnade depict Hatshepsut's divine conception — the god Amun disguised as Thutmose I visits her mother — a propagandistic claim to divine right of rule. The Punt Colonnade on the same terrace illustrates a remarkable trading expedition to the land of Punt (modern-day Horn of Africa), with detailed images of the Punt village, exotic animals, and incense trees being transplanted for the first time. The upper terrace, partially closed for conservation, contains the inner sanctuaries dedicated to Amun and to Hatshepsut's cult. Statues of Hatshepsut in Osiride form line the upper colonnade; many originals were defaced after her death on orders of Thutmose III. The site is reached by minibus from the Valley of the Kings car park. Allow one to two hours.