Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut

My driver was waiting as I came out of the Valley of Kings. Doesn't that sound so decadent,: "my driver "?

A short drive took us to this lovely building. It was built for a female Pharaoh. She was a very interesting figure in Egyptian history. Hatshepsut was the daughter of Thutmose I. She married her half brother Thutmose II and became regent when he died while his son who would become Thutmose III was young, so she became Regent, but then declared herself Pharoah. Her descendent Thutmose III eventually took over and tried to erase her memory, possibly because any history of a female as ruler was deemed ideologically wrong.

The temple's was started in 1479 BC and the design and architecture is the most impressive aspect of this site. It is partly carved out of the rock face with a facade of limestone, sandstone and granite. Classic and elegant proportions as the three levels of terraces rise up the face of the mountain

The inside decorations are faded or destroyed and it is a bit hard to make out some of the features that are said to be there. The paintings tell the story of her life including a famous expedition to the land of Punt and the legend of her divine birth.

At the top level are the various shrines to the gods. This is called one of the 'top sights' and I would agree.Read more