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The Mortuary Temple of Seti I: Luxor’s Hidden Gem on the West Bank

Discover Luxor's best-kept secret: the Mortuary Temple of Seti I in Qurna. This beautiful, quiet temple is a "hidden gem" that most tourists miss. See the stunning, delicate raised reliefs of Seti I right next to the bold, sunk reliefs of his son, Ramesses II. It's the perfect, peaceful stop on your West Bank tour, telling a unique "father and son" story in stone.

EFT Team
August 25, 2021
Updated: November 9, 2025

On the vast, storied West Bank of Luxor, set against the Theban cliffs, lies a beautiful and often-overlooked “hidden gem”: the Mortuary Temple of Seti I.

Now, you might be thinking, “Wait, isn’t Seti I’s famous temple in Abydos?” You are absolutely right! The stunning temple at Abydos (famous for its “King List”) was his main cult center.

This temple, located in the village of Qurna, is his mortuary temple—the sacred place built for his own funeral cult, ensuring his eternal life after death. It’s a personal, intimate, and beautiful site that tells a unique story of a father and his famous son: Ramesses II the Great.

Why Visit This “Hidden Gem”?

While other tourists are rushing between the major sites, the Temple of Seti I offers a peaceful, crowd-free experience. Here’s why it’s a must-add to your tour:

See a “Father & Son” Story in Stone: This temple was started by Seti I and completed by his son, Ramesses II. Because of this, you can literally see the artistic transition between two pharaohs.
Witness Seti I’s Masterful Art: Seti I’s reign produced some of the most delicate, beautiful, and detailed raised reliefs in Egyptian history. This temple contains some of the last examples of his “signature” style.
Escape the Crowds: This is a true “insider’s tip.” You can explore this vast complex in near-total peace, allowing you to appreciate the details and take incredible photos without a thousand people in your shot.

What You Will See: A Tour of the Temple

As you walk through the temple, you are walking through a timeline of two reigns.

1. The Entrance Pylons (The Work of Ramesses II)

The temple’s grand entrance pylon (gate) is now mostly in ruins, but it was built by Ramesses II. He also built the outer courtyards, and his signature is everywhere. His carvings are sunk relief—deep, bold, and fast to create. This was the mark of a pharaoh with a massive empire-building program.

2. The Hypostyle Hall (The Masterpiece of Seti I)

This is the heart of the temple and the main reason to visit. As you step into this beautiful hall of columns, the art style changes completely.

This section was built by Seti I, and the art is breathtaking. Look closely at the walls:

Delicate Raised Relief: Unlike his son’s work, Seti’s carvings are raised relief (the background is carved away). This technique is slower and more difficult, but it creates a soft, detailed, and incredibly beautiful effect.
Vibrant, Preserved Colors: In many places, you can still see the original, 3,000-year-old paint, protected from the sun.
Battle Scenes: The walls depict Seti I as a powerful pharaoh, showing his military campaigns in Syria and Libya.

3. The Sanctuaries (The Holy of Holies)

At the back of the temple, you’ll find the sanctuaries. This was the most sacred part of the complex. There are chapels dedicated to the great gods of Thebes, but there are also two special chapels:

A Chapel for Ramesses I: Seti I dedicated a chapel to his father, Ramesses I.
A Chapel for Seti I: This was the central point of his own funerary cult.

A Textbook in Stone: Seti’s Art vs. Ramesses’ Art

When you visit with an Egypt Fun Tours guide, we’ll show you the “secret.” We’ll point to a wall where you can see Seti I’s beautiful, raised reliefs… and right next to it, an area where Ramesses II’s carvers finished the job with fast, sunk reliefs.

It’s a perfect, visible example of the transition of power from a father known for his artistry (Seti I) to a son known for his power and speed (Ramesses II). You can’t see this story this clearly anywhere else!

How to Visit The Mortuary Temple of Seti I

Location: The temple is located on the West Bank of Luxor, in the village of Qurna.
How Long: A visit takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Combine It: It’s the perfect “hidden gem” to add to your West Bank tour. Because it’s so quiet, it’s a wonderful, relaxing stop to make between the busy Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Hatshepsut. It is also very close to Carter’s House.

Let Egypt Fun Tours take you beyond the main sites. We love showing our guests these special, quiet places that tell the real, in-depth stories of the pharaohs.

Contact Us to Add This “Hidden Gem” to Your Luxor Tour!

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