Valley of the Queens, Luxor, Egypt

The Valley of the Queens is a burial site in Luxor, in which queens, princes, princesses, and other high-ranking officials were buried. Pharaohs themselves were buried in the Valley of the Kings. The Valley of the Queens was known anciently as Ta-Set-Neferu, which has a double meaning of 'The Place of Beauty' and/or 'the Place of the Royal Children'.

The Valley of the Queens consists of the main wadi, which contains most of the tombs, along with the Valley of Prince Ahmose, the Valley of the Rope, the Valley of the Three Pits, and the Valley of the Dolmen. The main wadi contains 91 tombs and the subsidiary valleys add another 19 tombs. The burials in the subsidiary valleys all date to the 18th Dynasty.

The reason for choosing the Valley of the Queens as a burial site is not known. The close proximity to the workers' village of Deir el-Medina and the Valley of the Kings may have been a factor. Another consideration could have been the existence of a sacred grotto dedicated to Hathor at the entrance of the Valley. This grotto may have been associated with rejuvenation of the dead.

Along with the Valley of the Kings and nearby Thebes, the Valley of the Queens was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Szymon Warzybok (7 months ago)
Tombs of the pharaohs located near Luxor. A great place that shows the wealth locked in these tombs. Well-preserved hieroglyphs and decorations. A very large number of tombs, it is best to choose the best preserved ones. I recommend visiting this place in the autumn, because the heat is very bothersome. I highly recommend it!

C B (7 months ago)
Amazing tombs with vivid colors. There are 3 tombs you can visit – all of them m are small and can be visited quickly (~30 min). I loved it and thought it was way better than nearby Hatshepsut Temple, and that too for half the price

Serenity (8 months ago)
The Valley of the Queens, though smaller, is just as charming! I recommend visiting it before the Valley of the Kings, as it’s less grand but has a unique, museum-like atmosphere. The tombs are beautifully restored, with vibrant hieroglyphs displayed behind glass absolutely stunning. What’s even better is that there’s far less crowding, especially if you visit in the evening close to closing time. After exploring the three tombs, take a moment to sit on a bench and imagine life during the pharaohs’ time in this mysterious valley.

Tim (10 months ago)
Visiting the Valley of the Queens was an unforgettable experience. The vibrancy of the tomb paintings is simply breathtaking, showcasing incredible colors and artistry that felt even more striking than those in the Valley of the Kings. The preservation of these sites truly brings ancient history to life. What I loved most was the tranquility of the area; with far fewer visitors, I could fully immerse myself in the beauty and significance of the tombs. Each burial site tells a unique story, and the surroundings are serene and picturesque. The Valley of the Queens is a hidden gem that should not be missed. It offers a perfect blend of history, art, and peace, making it a highlight of my trip to Egypt. Highly recommended!

Tyler Lovatt (10 months ago)
A cool site to see, doesn't have the same splendour and grandeur as valley of the kings, additionally the biggest tomb of Queen Nefertiti is closed for renovations unfortunately, there's a couple of other small tombs to visit, much quieter than Valley of King's so more relaxed

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