The Ramesseum; The Temple of Ramses II

King Ramses II (c.1279-1213 BC), the most famous king of ancient Egypt (who fought a battle against the Hittites), built the Ramesseum Temple, a funerary temple built of sandstone, the temple served as a model for future temples built by different kings.

It consists of the first pylon, which is a large building facing four flagpoles, while the inner one competly inscriped with the famous Battle of Kadesh. This pylon follows the first courtyard, which is currently demolished, and has two rows of columns on its southern side, while on the northern side there was a row of Osirian columns. As for the second pylon, to the left there are the remains of a huge black granite statue of Ramses II. The second courtyard is higher than the first one, but it is also demolished and has rows of columns and Osirian columns. After that comes the Hall of Columns with six rows of columns.

The temple is surrounded by many chapels dedicated to various deities, in addition to other buildings such as bakeries, kitchens, warehouses.

The entire complex is essential to understand the importance of Ramses II in Egyptian history and to admire one of the most important moments in Pharaonic architecture and art.

The walls of the Ramesseum were decorated with prominent banks depicting the king fighting his enemies in the Battle of Kadesh, in addition to depicting religious and funerary ceremonies and rituals.

It was also designed with its majestic columns and its huge statues, including the statue of Ramses II, which is more than 17 meters high and weighs about 1000 tons.

This complex was not known until the 18th century, that Frederick Ludwig Norden described the ruins. Later, the scientists who accompanied the expedition of Napoleon's army between 1798 and 1801 would also document the site. In 1829, it was visited by Champollion, who gave it the contemporary name of Ramesseum.