Valley of the Queens

Welcome to the Valley of the Queens, known in ancient times as 'Ta-Set-Ne-fer-u,' or 'The Place of Beauty.' Located on the West Bank of the Nile at The-bes, this rugged, sun-scorched valley served as the final resting place for…

Our exploration begins at the entrance to the valley, where a modern visitor center provides the necessary orientation. A short walk leads us to our first stop: the tomb of Prince Kha-em-wa-set, a son of Ram-ses III. …

Next, we visit the tomb of Queen Ti-ti, who was likely the wife of Ram-ses III and the mother of many of the princes buried nearby. Her tomb is slightly more damaged than others in the valley, but it remains a critical site for…

Perhaps the most emotionally evocative site in the valley is the tomb of Prince A-men-her-khep-shef, another son of Ram-ses III. This tomb is famous for its stunningly vibrant colors and a heartbreaking archaeological find. …

We now come to the undisputed jewel of the Valley of the Queens: the tomb of Queen Nef-er-tar-i, the 'Great Royal Wife' of Ram-ses II. Often called the 'Sis-tine Cha-pel of Egypt,' this tomb is widely considered the most…

As we walk between the open tombs, it is important to reflect on why we can see these wonders at all. The Valley of the Queens has faced immense challenges from the elements, including flash floods and the slow decay caused by…

Finally, we look toward the hills that separate the Valley of the Queens from the worker's village of Deir el-Me-di-na. The artisans who carved and painted these magnificent tombs lived just over the ridge. …

As we conclude our tour and prepare to leave the Valley of the Queens, we take a final moment to breathe in the dry, silent air of this 'Place of Beauty.' We have seen the vibrant hopes of young princes, the maternal dignity of…