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

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.