Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III

The Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III is a large New Kingdom mortuary and administrative complex at Medinet Habu on the west bank of the Nile at ancient Thebes, built during the reign of Ramesses III in the early 12th century BCE. It is among the most complete royal mortuary temple complexes that survive from Egypt’s 20th Dynasty.

Visitors encounter a monumental first pylon, expansive courtyards, a pillared hypostyle hall and inner sanctuaries, all decorated with well-preserved reliefs and inscriptions that record royal rituals and military actions. The site also includes an adjacent fortified town area and administrative buildings that reflect the temple’s economic and ritual roles.

Ramesses III commissioned the temple early in his reign as a place for royal cult, funerary rites and state administration; the relief cycles include detailed representations of sea-borne enemies often identified with the Sea Peoples and of the king’s ritual activities. The complex continued in use and partial adaptation in later periods and has been the subject of modern archaeological study and conservation.

The temple stands on the West Bank of the Nile at modern Medinet Habu, opposite Luxor in Upper Egypt, within the cluster of Theban mortuary temples and necropolises that line the river west of the city.

• Notable reliefs: Reliefs at the temple include detailed battle and ritual scenes, notably depictions of Ramesses III’s campaigns and offerings that are important for New Kingdom history and art.
• State of preservation: The temple forms the core of the Medinet Habu complex on the West Bank of Luxor and is one of the best-preserved royal mortuary temples of the New Kingdom period.

What to See#

• First Pylon: First pylon and forecourt - the monumental entrance area with wide walls and reliefs that frame access to the inner temple courts.
• Hypostyle hall and sanctuaries: Great Hypostyle Hall and inner sanctuaries - large pillared spaces and enclosed chambers bearing well-preserved relief scenes and inscriptions of Ramesses III.

The Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III is at Medinet Habu on the west bank of the Nile at Luxor. From Luxor city centre cross the Nile by public ferry, private boat or road bridge to the West Bank, then continue by taxi or local minibus to the Medinet Habu archaeological complex.

Most visitors arrive as part of organised West Bank tours from Luxor; the temple is adjacent to the main Medinet Habu site and a short drive from the main West Bank landing points.

• Enter the Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III (Medinet Habu) from the West Bank road near the Ramesseum and plan to arrive early in the morning to see the best-preserved reliefs in cooler, quieter conditions.
• Spend time on the eastern and inner walls where many of the temple's vivid battle and ritual scenes are concentrated-these areas are often missed by visitors who only pass through the outer courts.
• Combine this visit with nearby West Bank sites (the Ramesseum and Deir el-Medina) in the same day to make the most of transport across the Nile and to compare different temple and tomb styles while you're already on the West Bank.