Medinet Habu Temple (Deir el-Medina), Luxor, Egypt
The primary attraction at Medinet Habu is the grand mortuary temple of Ramesses III, constructed during the 12th century BCE.
Medinet Habu: PJH2+37, Al Qarna, Luxor Governorate 1340412, Egypt
Date Picture Taken: February, 2024
On the second visit to the West Bank, Luxor, after visiting the Valley of the Kings, I stopped at the Medinet Habu Temple, which is located not far from the Valley of the Kings.
This temple served as a place of worship, administration, and commemoration for Ramesses III and his achievements.
Panoramaic view of the street in front of the temple.
The Medinet Habu Temple
The side wall of the gate
The right side
The left side
On the left side is this building
Ramesses III, a pharaoh of the 20th Dynasty during Egypt’s New Kingdom, ruled from around 1186 to 1155 BCE. Renowned for his military prowess, he achieved a significant victory against the Sea Peoples.
His mortuary temple at Medinet Habu and tomb in the Valley of the Kings attest to his architectural legacy. Faced with economic challenges, Ramesses III implemented policies to address financial issues. He survived an assassination attempt known as the Harem Conspiracy.
A devoted follower of traditional religious practices, Ramesses III left a lasting impact on Egypt’s history, marking the end of the New Kingdom’s prosperity and ushering in a period of economic decline and political instability.
The temple complex is surrounded by a massive mudbrick enclosure wall, and its entrance is marked by a colossal pylon (gateway). The complex includes a large courtyard, hypostyle hall, various chambers, and the sacred barque shrine.
The courtyard after the gateway
Panoramic view of the courtyard
The walls of the temple are adorned with intricate reliefs and inscriptions depicting scenes from Ramesses III’s reign, including military victories, religious ceremonies, and detailed representations of daily life. These reliefs provide valuable historical and cultural insights.
Looked back at the gate
Entered the second gate
The second courtyard
Entered the third gate
The third courtyard
Entered the building with many columns
I turned around and looked at the back side
The front side
Out of the column room and kept walking forward
The right side
The front side
Reached the end of the temple
Turned around and started walking back
The left side
The front left side
Front right side
Came back to the column room
Kept walking forward toward the first gate
Medinet Habu was not only a mortuary complex but also served administrative functions. It housed various structures related to the economic and bureaucratic aspects of the region.
Turned around and looked back
Turned around and looked back
