Ramesseum — Attraction in New Al Qarnh City

The Ramesseum is the memorial temple (or mortuary temple) of Pharaoh Ramesses II ("Ramesses the Great", also spelled "Ramses" and "Rameses"). It is located in the Theban necropolis in Upper Egypt, across the River Nile from the modern city of Luxor. The name – or at least its French form, Rhamesséion – was coined by Jean-François Champollion, who visited the ruins of the site in 1829 and first identified the hieroglyphs making up Ramesses's names and titles on the walls. It was originally called the House of millions of years of Usermaatra-setepenra that unites with Thebes-the-city in the domain of Amon. Usermaatra-setepenra was the prenomen of Ramesses Laser scanned point cloud image of a headless Osiris pillar, second court, from a CyArk/Supreme Council of Antiquities research partnership Ramesses II modified, usurped, or constructed many buildings from the ground up, and the most splendid of these, in accordance with New Kingdom royal burial practices, would have been his memorial temple: a place of worship dedicated to pharaoh, god on earth, where his memory would have been kept alive after his death. Surviving records indicate that work on the project began shortly after the start of his reign and continued for 20 years.

The design of Ramesses's mortuary temple adheres to the standard canons of New Kingdom temple architecture. Oriented northwest and southeast, the temple itself comprised two stone pylons (gateways, some 60 m wide), one after the other, each leading into a courtyard. Beyond the second courtyard, at the centre of the complex, was a covered 48-column hypostyle hall, surrounding the inner sanctuary. An enormous pylon stood before the first court, with the royal palace at the left and the gigantic statue of the king looming up at the back. As was customary, the pylons and outer walls were decorated with scenes commemorating pharaoh's military victories and leaving due record of his dedication to, and kinship with, the gods. In Ramesses's case, much importance is placed on the Battle of Kadesh (ca. 1274 BC); more intriguingly, however, one block atop the first pylon records his pillaging, in the eighth year of his reign, a city called "Shalem", which may or may not have been Jerusalem. The scenes of the great pharaoh and his army triumphing over the Hittite forces fleeing before Kadesh, as portrayed in the canons of the "epic poem of Pentaur", can still be seen on the pylon. Only fragments of the base and torso remain of the syenite statue of the enthroned pharaoh, 62 feet (19 metres) high and weighing more than 1000 tons.] This was alleged to have been transported 170 miles over land. This is the largest remaining colossal statue (except statues done in situ) in the world. However fragments of 4 granite Colossi of Ramses were found in Tanis (northern Egypt). Estimated height is 69 to 92 feet (21 to 28 meters). Like four of the six colossi of Amenhotep III (Colossi of Memnon) there are no longer complete remains so it is based partly on...

Visiting the Ramesseum in Luxor was a highlight of our trip, and it exceeded all expectations. This ancient temple complex, dedicated to Pharaoh Ramesses II, is a fascinating and awe-inspiring site, offering a quieter, less crowded experience compared to some of the more well-known sites in the area. The temple’s ruins, with their impressive majestic carvings and monumental statues, really give you a sense of the power and grandeur of this great pharaoh.

One of the most striking features of the Ramesseum is the massive statue of Ramesses II, once standing at over 60 feet tall. Although only the torso and parts of the legs remain, it’s still an imposing sight. The sheer scale of the statue is hard to grasp until you stand beside it, offering a glimpse into the sheer ambition of ancient Egyptian rulers. This “Colossus of Ramesses II” is an iconic symbol of the pharaoh’s legacy.

Inside the temple, the walls are adorned with beautifully preserved hieroglyphics and reliefs, depicting scenes of the king’s military victories and religious rituals. The majestic carvings detailing the battle of Kadesh, where Ramesses II famously fought the Hittites, are particularly impressive, showcasing the incredible artistry of ancient Egyptian craftsmen. The temple also includes a hypostyle hall, full of towering columns, and a sanctuary dedicated to the god Amun.

The Ramesseum is not as crowded as some of the other temples in Luxor, allowing you to explore at a leisurely pace. It’s a peaceful place to wander and reflect on Egypt’s rich history.

Opening times: The Ramesseum is open daily from 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and the ticket price is very reasonable for such a significant site.

If you’re in Luxor and interested in exploring a lesser-known but incredibly powerful temple, the Ramesseum is a must-see. The combination of the colossal statues, detailed carvings, and serene atmosphere makes it one of the most memorable stops...

BE CAREFULL WHEN VISITING THIS SITE. THEY HAVE HIRED PEOPLE THAT MIGHT BE DANGEROUS. BE AWARE!!!!

Ramesseum was my last archeological site in the west bank of Luxor. Tourism in the west bank is the worst. This time I had a guy just a few centimeter from my face threating me with arrest since (see picture) I went beyond an invisible barrier. Beyond the entrance to that house is no go land. Some aggresive dude comes and threaten you with arrest. I guess if you pay him he will show you the no go zones

The west bank of Luxor has been the worst experience of my Egypt trip. This was also my dream destination and despite the beauty of many of these places I will never return

Update: Thinking about it. I am still disapointed and upset. Be aware that if you visit this site it is not as well done or tranquil as Medinet habou. Looking at other comments if would seems as if they have hired people with aggression probles. My case might not be unique...