In the heart of the western bank of Thebes stand two of the most fascinating wonders of ancient Egypt: the funerary temple of Queen Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. Two places shrouded in mystery that still today tell stories of power and devotion.
The Temple of Hatshepsut is located in Deir el-Bahari and stands out for its unique architecture. Its colonnaded terraces are perfectly integrated into the surrounding mountain, creating a spectacular visual effect. It was commissioned by Queen Pharaoh Hatshepsut, one of the few women to reign over Egypt in an era dominated by men. Here, the sovereign had reliefs and statues sculpted that depict her as a legitimate pharaoh protected by the gods. The temple was dedicated to the god Amun but also celebrated the glory of the queen and her divine journey into the afterlife.
Not far from the temple stand the Colossi of Memnon, two gigantic stone statues about eighteen meters high that depict the pharaoh Amenhotep III. They were once part of a large funerary temple, today almost completely disappeared These statues are famous not only for their grandeur but also for a mysterious phenomenon that occurred at dawn In Roman times it was said that one of the colossi emitted a sound similar to a song perhaps due to the expansion of the stone with the heat of the sun This phenomenon fascinated travelers and historians of antiquity who interpreted it as a divine sign
Today the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon continue to enchant visitors by offering a unique glimpse into the grandeur and mystery of Egyptian civilization