RAMESSEUM
The funerary temple of Ramses II, originally a splendid structure designed to remind his descendants of the glory and prestige of his reign, is today rather dilapidated, but still imposing.
The average archaeologically-inclined traveller will see almost as much of it from the outside as he will by entering the enclosure, and will thus make substantial savings. The facades of the two pylons, partly destroyed, depict the pharaoh's warlike exploits against the Hittites. Every year, from October to January, the Ramesseum conservation team resumes its excavation and restoration work. You can play your part in safeguarding the site by purchasing a Ramesseum excavation booklet, the proceeds of which are donated to the association in charge of promoting the site.
In the first courtyard between them, the upper part of a colossal pink granite statue of Ramses II lies on the ground. With its pedestal, it must have measured some 18 m, and its weight is estimated at at least 1,000 tonnes.
The great hypostyle hall preserves 29 columns (out of the original 48) supporting a few fragments of ceiling. It is followed by two chambers, the first of which retains a ceiling decorated with astronomical scenes. The brick stores behind the temple (clearly visible from the mound alongside the road) served as warehouses. They are the only visible remains of the extensive outbuildings that surrounded the Ramesseum. For Marguerite Yourcenar, it was the most romantic temple in Thebes.
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