Contents
Ramesseum | Overview
The Ramesseum, located on the west bank of Luxor, was built by Pharaoh Ramesses II (1279–1212 BCE) as a "Million-Year Temple" to commemorate his legacy. Unlike other temples, a Million-Year Temple was a specific type of mortuary temple from the New Kingdom of ancient Egypt. In simple terms, it was a dedicatory temple constructed by a pharaoh to honor his achievements during his lifetime and after his death. Another famous example of this type, also commissioned by Ramesses II, is the renowned Abu Simbel Temple.
Ramesseum | Travel Planning & Transportation
Compared to the Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple on the east bank of Luxor or the Valley of the Kings , the Ramesseum is not as popular among tourists due to its ruined state. Many classic one-day tour itineraries in Luxor do not include this temple.
Luxor private chartered car with tour guide
Luxor Charters
Ramesseum | Ticket Information
Tickets for the Ramesseum can be purchased online through the Egyptian government's official website (purchase link). Foreign visitors must select "Other Nationality" when buying tickets.
Electronic tickets are now available, allowing visitors to skip long lines. If you prefer to buy tickets on-site, keep in mind that many smaller west bank sites share a single ticket office, which is not located at the temple entrance. If you hire a private driver, inform them that you need to stop at the ticket office before heading to your first destination.
Ramesseum | Key Highlights
The Ramesseum was the first and most official "Million-Year Temple" of Ramesses II. Throughout his long reign, he used architecture and art to glorify his achievements, and this temple was central to shaping his eternal image. Though time has taken its toll, the scattered ruins, broken columns, and faded reliefs still offer glimpses of its former grandeur.
As you approach the temple, you’ll first see the ruined First Pylon, which originally served as the grand entrance. In ancient times, this gateway was surrounded by gardens, creating an awe-inspiring approach to the temple. The pylon’s carvings depict the famous Battle of Kadesh, one of the greatest military victories of Ramesses II.
Originally, two massive colossal statues stood beside the pylon: One represented Ramesses II, towering 18 meters high. The other depicted his mother, Queen Tuya, at about 9 meters. Unfortunately, both statues were destroyed over the centuries, and only scattered remnants remain.
In 1818, the English poet Percy Bysshe Shelley wrote his famous sonnet Ozymandias, inspired by the shattered statues at the Ramesseum. The name Ozymandias comes from the Greek name for Ramesses II (Ozymandias). His poem captures the theme of impermanence, illustrating how even the greatest rulers cannot escape the ravages of time:
I met a traveller from an antique land,
Shelley’s "Ozymandias"
Who said—"Two vast and trunkless legs of stone Stand in the desert... Near them, on the sand, Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown, And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command, Tell that its sculptor well those passions read...
My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!"
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare, The lone and level sands stretch far away.
Moving deeper into the temple, the Second Courtyard opens up into a vast space, surrounded by ruins of columns and statues. Many walls still bear reliefs of gods and pharaohs, including Min, the fertility god, symbolizing Egypt’s belief in abundance and prosperity.
One of the highlights here was the "Younger Memnon", a 15-meter granite statue of Ramesses II. However, it was later transported to the British Museum, leaving only the torso behind at the temple.
Entering the Hypostyle Hall, you’ll find remnants of over 30 towering columns that once supported the roof, creating a cosmic-like atmosphere. Though much of the paint and decoration has faded, the elegant carvings remain, depicting Ramesses II interacting with the gods.
Further inside, the Boat Hall and Festival Halls were used for religious ceremonies. Priests once welcomed the sacred boat of Amun here, reenacting its journey from Karnak Temple to the west bank. The reliefs still faintly depict gods such as Thoth, Anubis, and Set, reflecting Egypt’s deep-rooted polytheism.
Adjacent to the temple is Ramesses II's palace, featuring the famous "Window of Appearances." This royal balcony was where the pharaoh rewarded his officials and received tributes from his people. Some historians believe that the design of Medinet Habu—another temple-palace complex—was influenced by the layout of this site.
If you walk around the outer perimeter of the temple, you will find remnants of processional avenues, each originally stretching 60 meters and lined with 44 statues on both sides. These statues are believed to have included figures of Anubis, the jackal-headed god, and representations of Ramesses II, symbolizing protection and royal authority.
After 1000 BCE, these avenues and their statues were gradually dismantled, with many pieces repurposed as building materials for other structures. However, in modern times, archaeologists have uncovered and, in 2007, successfully repositioned some of the statues, allowing visitors to glimpse a partial restoration of the site's former grandeur.
In the southwest corner, you’ll find ruins of mudbrick buildings, once the House of Life—an ancient workshop for scribes and artisans. This space was a training center for writing, sculpting, and painting, where students learned hieroglyphs, religious texts, and royal inscriptions. Today, flint tools and limestone fragments scattered across the site provide a glimpse into the craftsmanship of ancient Egypt.
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