The Temple of Queen Hatshepsut

Egypt Holidays - Temple of Hatshepsut

The dramatically sited Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari is very different from any other of the Theban temples as it was constructed against the craggy hillside which forms a vast natural amphitheatre.  This mortuary temple celebrates the only woman ever to reign over Ancient Egypt as pharaoh; she is often depicted in masculine form in an effort to legitimize her position, even to the point of being shown wearing a beard.

One of the most famous sections of this temple is the Punt Colonnade (detail shown below), telling the story of Hatshepsut's journey to the Land of Punt, believed to be modern Somalia.