The Ramesseum stands on the west bank of the Nile at ancient Thebes. It preserves memories of the great men and women who built one of the most amazing civilizations the world has seen. With the help of Amun and Ozymandias and Ramses the Great the whole city of Thebes was united by building a mystical abode of User Maat Ra meant to last for millions of years.
He hoped to further immortalize his legacy and to highlight their ideals and happy moments. This article offers a full analysis of the Ramesseum. It explores its significance and history and architecture and how it still applies to our understanding of ancient Egypt.
Relatively little remains of what was once the most magnificent temple complex on the west bank. The rest of the complex shows a wide zone of ridges and pits and shattered foundations and fragments of sculpture. There are a few clusters of pillars and a few broken statues.
Today the site is more famous for the status of the man who ordered it than for how the ruins look.

Where Is the Ramesseum Located?
You will find the mortuary temple of Ramesseum on the west side of the Nile and across from Luxor where nestled in Upper Egypt’s Theban Necropolis, roughly 100 km around 62 miles northeast of Cairo. This sacred spot was chosen for its connection to Ra, the sun god, and it served as Ramses’ final monument and an eternal bond between him and the divine presence

Who Built the Ramesseum?
Ramesseum Temple was build by Ramses II who is one of the most famous pharaohs of Egypt also he ruled for 67 years from 1279 to 1213 BC and people remember him for winning battles and building many amazing temples
Ramses also called Ozymandias wanted this temple to keep his name alive forever also you can see his work in many places like Luxor and Aswan, but the Ramesseum is one of the best examples of how he wanted people to remember him for thousands of years

What Is the History of the Ramesseum?
The story of the Ramesseum temple history spans over 3,000 years which Ramses II started the construction and later kings like Ramses III and Merenptah expanded it further
At the temple’s entrance once stood a massive statue 18 meters tall and over 1,000 tons in weight. Though the figure has fallen, its broken pieces still rest nearby and command attention.
Ancient Greeks called the site the Memnonium, linking it to the legendary Memnon. Centuries later, Percy Shelley was inspired to write his famous poem “Ozymandias,” reflecting on how even the greatest empires fade.
Damage from earthquakes, theft, and natural erosion took its toll. In 1896, archaeologist William Flinders Petrie began restoration and uncovered historical treasures like the Israel Stele.

How Is the Ramesseum Designed?
Visiting the temple of the Ramesseum feels like walking through an open museum. At the main entrance, you’ll see carvings of Ramses II leading his army in the Battle of Kadesh. There’s also a list of 118 cities he said he conquered.
- Close to the entrance are the broken pieces of a huge statue of Ramses II. It was once the tallest statue in Egypt and still looks powerful even though it's broken
- In the first courtyard, the base of this statue sits under a famous line that says
( My name is Ozymandias King of Kings look on my works ye mighty and despair)
- Inside the hypostyle hall, there are 48 big columns. They are covered with drawings of Ramses giving gifts to the gods and winning battles. On the sides you’ll see small rooms for gods like Amun Ra Ptah and Ra Horakhty. This shows the temple was very important for religion.
- You’ll also find the Hall of Astronomy. It has a carved calendar with 12 months. People used it to plan farming and festivals.
- One of the most special drawings shows Ramses sitting under the Tree of Life while the gods Thoth and Seshat write his name. This means he wanted to be remembered forever.
Not far from the main temple you’ll see the ruins of a smaller one. It was built by his son Merenptah to keep his father’s memory alive.

What Are the Ramesseum Papyrus and Granaries?
The Ramesseum temple Egypt isn’t just stone. It once housed precious medical papyrus, dating to the 18th century BC. These ancient scrolls include remedies for childbirth, women’s health, eye conditions, childhood illnesses, and even early methods of pregnancy prediction and contraception, written in both hieroglyphics and hieratic.
The temple’s economic strength also came from large mudbrick granaries, which stored spillover from Nile floods. These granaries fed temple workers, priests, and surrounding villages and highlighted how essential the temple was to daily life, not just worship.

What Are the Key Facts About the Ramesseum?

Constructed by Ramses II (Ozymandias) during his 67-year reign
Located at: Theban Necropolis, west of Luxor in Upper Egypt
Statue: Includes remains of the largest ancient Egyptian statue ever built
Purpose: Built to honor gods Amun Ra, Ptah, and Ra Horakhty
Architectural Features: Massive entrance gates, grand columns, temple halls, carved calendar, ritual rooms
Legacy: Inspired Shelley’s poetry, preserved medical wisdom, and teaches us about royal ambition
UNESCO Heritage: A significant part of the Theban Necropolis today

Explore the Ramesseum Temple
The temple Ramesseum is more than an archaeological site. It’s a bridge to Egypt’s golden era. Every carving, sculpture, and script is a whisper from the past, revealing the vision and ambition of Ramses the Great.
You’ll need to buy Ramesseum temple tickets to enter. Ticket prices change depending on your nationality and age. For most foreign visitors, the price is around 180 to 220 EGP, and students can get a reduced rate of 90 to 110 EGP. Local Egyptian visitors pay about 20 EGP and students pay 10 EGP. These prices give you a chance to walk through the old ruins and enjoy guided tours or explore on your own.
Ready to step into history? Book your trip to the Ramesseum Temple with STEP TO EGYPT and experience the grandeur for yourself.

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