Egypt: Luxor – Hatshepsut’s Temple at Deir el-Bahari

A Period of Growth and Monumental Building

Hatshepsut’s reign was distinguished by a strong emphasis on architecture and economic expansion. Unlike many other pharaohs whose records are filled with tales of conquest, Hatshepsut focused largely on internal development. She commissioned a number of ambitious building projects across Egypt, many of which still survive. The most famous of these is her mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahari, located on the west bank of the Nile opposite Luxor.

This temple is widely regarded as one of the finest architectural achievements of ancient Egypt. It was designed by Senenmut, her trusted advisor and chief architect. What makes the structure particularly impressive is the way it was designed to blend with the natural limestone cliffs that rise behind it. The result is a harmonious balance between human construction and the surrounding landscape—a design approach that was relatively rare for its time.

In addition to building works, Hatshepsut also revitalised Egypt’s trade networks. One of the best-documented achievements of her reign was the expedition to the land of Punt—believed to be located in the Horn of Africa or near the Red Sea. This voyage brought back incense, myrrh trees, gold, ivory, and exotic animals, which were displayed in Egypt and used in religious rituals. The success of this expedition is celebrated in detailed reliefs carved into the walls of her temple.

Visiting the Temple at Deir el-Bahari

We approached the site from the visitor entrance by way of an electric cart, which is provided for convenience, especially in the heat. The temple appears gradually as you move closer, and even from a distance, it strikes an imposing figure against the cliff face.

The structure is expansive—273 metres long and 105 metres wide, with a height of approximately 30 metres. Its most distinctive feature is a broad central ramp that connects three ascending terraces. Each terrace is supported by colonnades with square pillars, many of which are still decorated with detailed relief carvings depicting scenes from Hatshepsut’s life and rule.

The quality and scale of the decoration are impressive. Some statues remain partially intact, while others have suffered damage over time. The artistry in the remaining reliefs shows careful attention to detail, with images of foreign envoys, goods from Punt, and offerings to the gods.

The temple’s resemblance to the earlier Mortuary Temple of Mentuhotep II, located nearby, is noticeable, though Hatshepsut’s version is clearly more ambitious in both scale and refinement. The integration with the natural rock face behind it creates a seamless and dramatic backdrop that adds to its grandeur.

Damage and Historical Erasure

Despite its current state, the temple has not survived unscathed. In the years following Hatshepsut’s death, much of her legacy was deliberately targeted. Her successor, Thutmose III, who had grown into adulthood and eventually ruled in his own right, appears to have taken deliberate steps to erase her memory. Statues were smashed, inscriptions were chiseled out, and her image was defaced.

This act of damnatio memoriae—the attempt to remove someone from historical record—was common in ancient times when political motives called for it. Whether Thutmose III acted out of personal resentment, political pressure, or religious convention is uncertain. Regardless of the reason, the damage is visible today. In several places throughout the temple, you can see faint outlines of where her name or likeness once was.