Luxor, Egypt
Memorial temple of Ramesses II
The Ramesseum is the memorial temple of Ramesses II on Luxor's West Bank, the second-largest temple in Egypt at around ten hectares, built over some twenty years of his reign. Champollion gave it its modern name when he visited in 1829 and read Ramesses' names on the walls. Its most famous sight is the shattered colossus of the king, which once stood about 17 metres high, weighed over a thousand tonnes and was moved from Aswan in a single block; Greek writers called its owner Ozymandias, and it inspired Shelley's sonnet. The pylons carry the story of the Battle of Kadesh, fought by Ramesses against the Hittites in central Syria. In the second court Osiride statues of the king front the porticoes, and the hypostyle hall beyond has an astronomical ceiling. Around the temple stretch vaulted mud-brick storerooms, a reminder that it was also a large economic centre. It sees far fewer visitors than Hatshepsut's temple, so you can wander the columns in peace.
An hour is enough. It sits between the Colossi of Memnon and Deir el-Bahari, so it slots easily into a West Bank day. Afternoon light flatters the Osiride statues. Look for the pieces of the fallen colossus in the first court: the shoulder and foot alone give the scale. Check the price at the West Bank ticket office.
Hours and prices change — check before you go. Source: en.wikipedia.org
No reviews yet
Share your experience and help other travellers decide.
AttractionLuxor, Egypt
