Temple of Queen Hatshepsut

Deir El Bahri is one of the most unusual temples in Egypt. unlike other new Kingdom temples it does not have a great pylon gateway leading into open courtyards and a covered hypostyle hall but has an open processional walkway (37 meters wide) which was once lined with trees leading to a terraced temple located at the base of a cliff.

The temple’s forecourt once contained a garden and two T shaped pools containing papyrus plants. This is now a dry field of sand with a sloping ramp in the middle of the lower colonnade giving access to a second court and middle colonnade. A second ramp, in the shape of serpents crowned with falcons, leads to the upper terrace which is fronted by 26 monumental statues of Hatshepsut of the form of Osiris.

In the centre is a doorway leading into a pillared festival court. To the rear of this court and carved into the rock is a chamber for the ceremonial barque as well as the images of Amun Ra and Hatshepsut.

The temple is decorated with beautiful painted reliefs depicting the divine birth of Hatshepsut and the exploits of her soldiers on a trading mission to the land of Punt.

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Temple of Queen Hatshepsut

Gateway as seen from inside the Upper Festival Courtyard.

Granite Gateway pillar with hieroglyphs.

Osiride statue of the queen on the upper terrace