Ramesseum

The Ramesseum is the mortuary temple of Ramesses II located on the west bank of the Nile at Thebes, near Luxor, Egypt. Construction began in the early part of Ramesses II’s reign in the 13th century BCE and continued for several decades. The temple was intended to commemorate the king’s divine status and to provide a cult center for his memory in the afterlife.

The complex features a monumental entrance pylon leading to a large forecourt and a hypostyle hall, followed by an inner sanctuary. The forecourt once housed colossal sculptures of Ramesses II, and fragments of these statues remain in situ. The temple’s walls are decorated with reliefs describing the king’s campaigns, offerings, and divine apotheosis.

Over the millennia, earthquakes, river silt, and stone robbers damaged the structure. Much of the temple was stripped for reuse in other buildings in Thebes. Despite this, extensive excavations have revealed architectural details and inscriptions that illuminate Ramesses II’s late New Kingdom cult practice and the royal cult of the king.

Today the Ramesseum is an important archaeological site within the Theban Necropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is a major tourist destination and continues to be the subject of scholarly research and conservation projects.