Hatshepsut Temple

Who was Hatshepsut?

Hatshepsut was a princess, daughter of King Thutmose I and his first wife, Queen Ahmose. After the death of the king, Thutmose II ascended the throne. He was Hatshepsut's half brother and husband, but unfortunately he died after just a couple years after taking power. The throne was then entitled to his son with a minor wife, Thutmose III. Given that Thutmose III was a child, Hatshepsut would rule as pharaoh-regent until the boy grew up - which was common. Women have ruled before as legitimate heirs but Hatshepsut was different. She was determined to leave a great legacy.

She legitimized her power by positing that she was simply a tool at the will of her father, the god Amun. Hatshepsut claimed that Amun descended from the heavens and took on the form of Thutmose I to impregnate her mother. From this union would come a woman who would rule Egypt.

Hatshepsut assumed that role and ruled Egypt for more than 20 years - longer than any other female pharaoh. Her reign was characterized by peace and ambitious expeditions. She paid a lot of attention to architecture and even increased Egypt's wealth through trade and wars. Hatshepsut represented herself aesthetically as a pharaoh with masculine traits. She donned a beard but was depicted with a slimmer waist, suggesting that she was a woman.

The construction of her temple was built on the premise of inventing something original and unique that has not been done in Egyptian architecture. Queen Hatshepsut's Funerary Temple, or Temple of Deir el-Bahri, is considered one of the astounding marvels to come out of Ancient Egypt.

Why haven't we hear about Queen Hatshepsut before?

Hatshepsut's mummy was only identified in 2007. It is thought that the queen died when she was around 40 years old from obesity and diabetes. Her statues and inscriptions were heavily damaged, perhaps at the hand of her nephew-stepson, Thutmose III, but this has not been confirmed.

Another theory suggests that the culprit was actually Amenhotep II, the son of Thutmose II, when he ruled as regent with his father. This could have been a reaction to his weak position as a successor.

Irregardless of who did it, this vandalism almost erased all traces of the female pharaoh from history, making her largely unknown to scholars until the 19th century.

Why visit the Hatshepsut Temple?

This architectural marvel is one of the great wonders of Ancient Egypt. Its three terraces soar up almost 30 meters high. However, most of the statues were relocated to museums, but the temple itself is impressive on its own.

A special surprise awaits those who pay a visit to the temple on December 21st and 22nd at sunrise during the winter solstice. Senemute, the mastermind architect of the temple, positioned the temple in a way that captures the entry of light on the solstice. The sunrays put on a magnificent show: first they illuminate the walls, then move towards the center and finally touch the statues of Amun-Ra, King Thutmose III and Hapi.

Where is the Hatshepsut Temple located?

It is located in the Valley of Deir el-Bahari, near the Valley of the Kings in Luxor. You can get there by car, taxi or travel agency vans.