Hatshepsut Temple

The Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, opposite Luxor, is a masterpiece of ancient Egyptian architecture built c. 1479-1458 BCE. Designed by the royal architect Senenmut, the three-tiered temple rises into the cliffs with colonnaded terraces connected by ramps. The second level features the celebrated Punt Colonnade documenting Hatshepsut's trade expedition, and a chapel to Hathor. The uppermost terrace contains the Sanctuary of Amun carved directly into the cliff face. The temple served to legitimize Hatshepsut's reign through reliefs depicting her divine birth. Restored by the Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology since 1961.