Necropolis of Thebes Things to Do

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For centuries, the locals nibbled on stones from the inner-most part of the Temple of Ramses III to construct other edifices, so we are now left with very little of what must have once been a highly impressive series of hypostyle halls. Three such halls preceeded the inner sanctuaries and chapels of the Temple, though only the bases of the countless large columns remain, leaving it to our imagination to visualise the rest.

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The Second Pylon leads to the Second Courtyard. It is of a similar size to the first, though bordered on all four sides with porticoes, two of which are lined with Osirid statues of Ramses III. During Coptic times, the Second Courtyard was used as a church and its wall decorations were covered in plaster. As a result the walls have retained much of their spectacular original colours. The walls are entirely covered in detailed decorations in sunken relief showing offering scenes and tributes to the gods. The Courtyard leads to the Hypostyle Halls and the inner sanctuaries.

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Connecting the First and Second Pylons, the First Courtyard of the Temple of Ramses III is bordered by a portico on either side. The right hand portico is lined with statues of Ramses III in the form of the god Osiris, and his queens. The left hand portico has columns with papyrus capitals and gives access to the Palace of Ramses III (now in ruins). The walls of the pylons and the interior of the porticoes contain more scenes of victories and offerings. Some of the original colours are surprisingly well preserved.

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The enormous First Pylon of the Temple of Ramses III is dedicated to the glory of the Pharaoh. Scenes of offerings of prisoners to the gods dominate the two walls of the Pylon and supplemented with smaller scenes.

The best kept secret in western Thebes, the funerary Temple of Ramses III is often skipped by organised tourist groups. Yet, it is one of the best preserved and largest temples in all of Thebes. Ramses III, a 20th Dynasty Pharaoh, modelled his funerary temple after the Ramesseum (funerary temple of Ramses II). Much of the Temple's decorations celebrate Ramses III's victories against the Libyans, and were carved as sunken relief. The Temple owes its excellent state of preservation to its conversion into a Christian church/monastery in later periods. The temple's position against the afternoon sun enhances the intricate sunken reliefs on the walls of the temple.

For more photos, check out further tips, and also my travelogue: Madinet Habu - Temple of Ramses III

Referred to as Madinet Habu, this temple complex is the largest in Western Thebes and second only to the Complex of Karnak in size. The complex is made up several temples and structures built by various Pharaohs, but the largest and most dominant is the Funerary Temple of Ramses III, a 20th Dynasty Pharaoh. Modelled after the Ramesseum, his funerary temple was built in the 12th century BC and records his victories in battle against the Libyans. The Temple owes its excellent state of preservation to its conversion into a Christian church/monastery in later periods. Despite its great condition, grand size, and fantastic decorations, Madinet Habu is often skipped by tourist groups. All the better for the independent travellers who do visit, as it makes our experience much more pleasant.

For more photos, check out further tips, and also my travelogue: Madinet Habu - Temple of Ramses III

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Built in the 15th century BC by Pharaoh Thutmosis III, the Temple of Amun is the oldest temple in Madinet Habu. It is much smaller than the funerary Temple of Ramses III, but remained in use for over 15 centuries through Ptolemaic and Roman times. During these latter periods, several expansions occurred, such as the Ptolemaic colonnade and pylon. The Romans built a wall and courtyard at the front with recycled stones from the site. The temple is adjacent to the Syrian Gate which leads into the complex of Madinet Habu.

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One of the star temples in the Necropolis of Thebes, the funerary temple of Queen Hatshepsut was built during her reign in the 15th century BC. She became the defacto ruler while her son, Thutmosis III, was too young to be Pharaoh and she seemed to have had to impose her rule by proving that she was as strong as a man. This is evidenced in her portrayal as a male Pharaoh in most of her temple's statues and carvings. The temple was modelled after the nearby Temple of Montuhotep with multiple porticoed terraces joined by ramps, while the inner sanctuaries and chapels were dug into the background cliffs. Although much restored, the temple is in an excellent state of preservation owed to the post-Pharaonic conversion into a Coptic monastery, called Deir el-Bahri.

More photos are shown in my tips and in the travelogue: Deir el-Bahri - Temple of Hatshepsut.