Deir el-Bahari

How many female pharaohs can you name? You might know of Cleopatra, but standing before you is evidence of another, the extraordinary Queen Hatshepsut, and this is Deir el-Bahari, a complex of mortuary temples and tombs. Deir el-Bahari is dominated by Hatshepsut’s temple, Djeser-Djeseru, which means “Holy of Holies”. This majestic structure, with its terraced levels and elegant colonnades, is a testament to her reign. It was designed by her royal steward, Senenmut, who likely wasn’t just her architect. Deir el-Bahari is steeped in history, with roots dating back to the Middle Kingdom. The first temple here was built by Mentuhotep II, a pharaoh who reunited Egypt. Centuries later, Hatshepsut used Mentuhotep’s temple as inspiration for her own. However, unlike his centralized design, hers features a long, colonnaded terrace, perhaps due to her burial chamber’s location. Sadly, much of the original splendor of Deir el-Bahari has faded. Many statues and ornaments were lost to time and the actions of those who sought to erase Hatshepsut’s memory. Despite this, her temple still reflects her power and vision. Interestingly, tucked away in the cliffs near Deir el-Bahari, lies a secret. Tomb TT320 held the mummies of over 50 pharaohs, including Ramses II and Ahmose I. Moved from the Valley of the Kings, they were hidden to protect them from looters. Deir el-Bahari stands as a reminder of ancient Egypt’s grandeur and the intriguing lives of those who ruled it.