The third terrace of the temple of Hatshepsut

The third terrace of the temple of Hatshepsut in Deir el-Bahari is now open to visitors, after a long restoration by a Polish team.
The upper terrace of Hatshepsut's temple has a forefront portico with two rows of columns. The external row is made of square columns decorated with colossal osiride statues of the queen, of which only few remain. The inner row is made of octagonal columns.
When entering the court itself, the first noticeable thing is that it seems empty though it once contained two rows of columns, of which only a few one have been re erected.
On the left and on the right, the re-erected walls have a (very) fragmentary decoration.
The back of the court houses the very heart of the temple: a sanctuary dedicated to the god Amun. It has been cut directly in the mountain.
On each side of the sanctuary one can see nine niches : small cult chapels alternate with niches housing osiride statues of the queen.
On each side of the lateral walls doors lead to chapels (not visitable) respectively dedicated to the royal cult and to the solar cult.

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