A tour of Hatshepsut Mortuary Temple in Luxor, Egypt

The **Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut**, also known as **Djeser-Djeseru** (meaning "Holy of Holies"), is a remarkable ancient Egyptian structure located in **Upper Egypt**, near the city of **Luxor**. Here are some key details about this magnificent temple:

1. **Architecture and Location**:

- The temple was built during the reign of **Pharaoh Hatshepsut** of the **Eighteenth Dynasty**.

- It stands opposite Luxor and is considered a **masterpiece of ancient architecture**.

- The temple's three massive terraces rise above the desert floor and into the cliffs of **Deir el-Bahari**.

- Hatshepsut's tomb, **KV20**, lies within the same massif, capped by **El Qurn**, a pyramid for her mortuary complex.

- About 1 km (0.62 mi) east of the temple, connected by a causeway, is the accompanying **valley temple**.

2. **Function and Axes**:

- The temple served twin functions:

- Its main east-west axis received the **barque of Amun-Re** during the **Beautiful Festival of the Valley**.

- The north-south axis represented the **pharaoh's life cycle**, from coronation to rebirth.

3. **Design and Influence**:

- Construction occurred between Hatshepsut's seventh and twentieth regnal year.

- The temple's design was influenced by the adjacent **Temple of Mentuhotep II** (Eleventh Dynasty), built six centuries earlier.

- Unique in arrangement, the main sanctuary houses the **barque of Amun-Re**, while the mortuary cult is displaced southward.

4. **Historical Significance**:

- The temple stands out as one of the most impressive monuments in ancient Egypt.

- Its architectural elegance and richly detailed reliefs make it a crown jewel of Egyptian heritage.

For those visiting Luxor, exploring the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut is a captivating journey back in time!