Valley of the Queens
The second royal necropolis in Thebes- The Valley Of The Queens is situated just a few kilometers from the Valley of the Kings.
There are nearly 80 tombs in the Valley of the Queens. They belonged to Queens, Princes, and other members of the royal families of the18th, 19th, and 20th dynasties (1569-1081BC)
It is not in the same condition and is no comparison to the Valley of the Kings but still holds vital keys to our history.
What to see:
There are three tombs open to the public:
the tomb of queen Titi (badly damaged) and two tombs of royal children – Amenherkhepshef and Khaemwaset
Tomb of Nefertari: Favourite Queen of RamsesII, Hailed as the finest tomb in the Theban necropolis – and in all of Egypt for its design and its brilliantly coloured painted decorations. Every centimeter of the walls in the tomb’s three chambers and connecting corridors are adorned with colourful scenes of Nefertari. The ceiling of the tomb is festooned with golden stars. Her tomb reflects the queen’s position in the eyes of her husband in the beauty of its construction, its vivid colours, and unusual scenes, and the many favourable epitaphs which describe her beauty and her sweet and charming nature.
There is no limited number of tickets available per day, however only 10 minutes inside the tomb is permitted. Entry is 1,600 Egyptian pounds, with no discount for children or students.
Tomb of Amunherkhepshef: After Nefertari’s, this is the best tomb in the Valley of the Queens to view with its beautiful, well-preserved reliefs. Amunherkhepshef, the son of Ramses III, was in his teens when he died. On the walls of the tomb, Ramses holds his son’s hand to introduce him to the gods that will help him on his journey to the afterlife. A glass case displays a mummified fetus that his mother aborted through grief at Amunhirkhepshef’s death, and is entombed with her son.
Tomb of Khaemwaset: Another son of Ramses III, Khaem-waset also died young. His tomb is filled with well-preserved, brightly colored reliefs. Like Amunherkhepshef’s tomb, Scenes in Khaem-weset’s tomb show him being presented to the guardians of the gates to the afterlife along with his father.
