On the west bank of the Nile in Luxor, just a kilometer southwest of the Valley of the Kings, lies a place no less sacred but dedicated to a different essence—the Valley of the Queens (Arabic: Biban el-Harim). This quiet, isolated gorge served as the final resting place not for ruling pharaohs, but for the very heart of the royal family: great royal wives, mothers, princes, and princesses of the New Kingdom (19th–20th Dynasties, c. 1292–1077 BC).
Here, among golden cliffs, those who ensured the continuation of the divine dynasty were buried, and the tomb decorations themselves became a hymn to femininity, beauty, and rebirth.
The Realm of Wives and Daughters: Idea and Symbolism
The Valley of the Queens was not a place of secondary importance. Its creation reflects the peak of a theocratic state where the royal family was perceived as a direct extension of the divine pantheon. If the pharaoh in the Valley of the Kings was identified with Osiris and the sun god Ra, his wife here was the celestial Hathor, his daughter—the goddess Isis, and his son—the god Horus. The tombs served as "gates" for their reunion with the gods and eternal life in the retinue of Osiris.
Main "inhabitants" of the valley:
• Great Royal Wives (the chief spouses of the pharaoh).
• Princes and Princesses, especially the children of Ramesses II and Ramesses III.
• High-ranking officials connected by ties to the ruling house.
Architecture and Art: Chambers of Transformation
The architecture of the tombs in the Valley of the Queens, designated by the Latin code QV (Queen`s Valley), is generally simpler than the royal sepulchers. They typically consist of straight or slightly curved corridors leading to a single burial chamber. However, it is in their artistic decoration that they reach incredible heights.
A unique feature of these tombs is their thematic unity. While the walls of the Valley of the Kings are covered with complex texts from the "Book of the Dead" or the "Book of Caverns," here scenes related to the cycle of rebirth, motherhood, and the patronage of goddesses dominate.
Key motifs of the paintings:
• Journey to the Afterlife: The deceased queen or princess is depicted as a radiant spirit (ba or akh), following the gods through the Fields of Iaru.
• Scenes with Patron Goddesses: Central place is given to Hathor (goddess of the sky, love, and beauty) in the form of a cow or a woman with cow`s ears, and Isis (goddess of motherhood and magic), often appearing as a kite.
• Presentation to Osiris: The pharaoh (husband or father) leads the deceased to the throne of Osiris, symbolizing her acceptance into the kingdom of the dead.
• Idealized Portraits: The faces of the deceased are depicted with an unearthly, refined beauty, large almond-shaped eyes, and delicate features—a canon of eternal youth.
• Bright, Almost Watercolor Palette: Tender tones prevail: azure blue, sunny yellow, grassy green, and terracotta red, creating a sense of tenderness and light, rather than the gloom of the underworld.
Jewels of the Valley: Tombs You Must See
QV66 – Tomb of Nefertari Meritenmut — The absolute pinnacle. This is not just a tomb, but the greatest masterpiece of ancient Egyptian art, the "Sistine Chapel" of Egypt. Built for the beloved wife of Ramesses II, it astounds with the preservation and vibrancy of its colors. Every detail is perfect: the portrait of Nefertari with the finest facial features, scenes of her playing senet with the gods, her standing before Osiris and Hathor. The ceiling is studded with golden stars on a dark blue background. Access is strictly limited for preservation; tickets are expensive and must be booked well in advance. This is a must for true connoisseurs.
QV55 – Tomb of Amenherkhepeshef — Son of Ramesses III. This tomb is a model of elegance. It is adorned with exquisite depictions of the young prince being presented by the pharaoh to various gods. A particularly impressive scene shows Ramesses III leading his son by the hand to Ptah and Nefertum. The preservation of the paintings here is exceptional.
QV44 – Tomb of Khaemwaset — Another son of Ramesses III. It is interesting for its details: images of the scorpion goddess Serket guarding the sarcophagus, and scenes of the "weighing of the heart" of the deceased.
QV71 – Tomb of Bintanath — Daughter and wife of Ramesses II. The tomb is less preserved, but one can see rare and touching scenes where the princess is breastfed by a goddess in the form of a tree, emphasizing themes of motherhood and divine patronage.
Mysteries and Tragedies of the Valley
Mystery of the "Lost Princess": Not all tombs are identified. Excavations periodically reveal new burials, and debates about who rests in them continue.
Systematic Robbery: As in the Valley of the Kings, the necropolis was looted in antiquity. However, unlike the royal tombs, robbers here were interested not only in gold but also in luxury items—exquisite wigs, cosmetic vessels, fabrics.
Fate of the Royal Children: Many tombs belong to very young princes and princesses, a silent testament to high child mortality even in the royal family. Their tombs, decorated with particular tenderness, make a deep emotional impression.
What Do Tourists See Today? A Practical Guide
The Valley of the Queens is open to visitors, but access to the tombs is rotated for their preservation.
Must-See (usually open):
• Tomb of Amenherkhepeshef (QV55) — A must. The best example of Ramesside-period art after the tomb of Nefertari.
• Tomb of Prince Khaemwaset (QV44) or Tomb of Queen Titi (QV52) — For variety in themes.
The Main Goal (requires planning):
Tomb of Nefertari (QV66): Visiting is a privilege. Tickets are sold in limited numbers (usually no more than 150 per day) and only at the ticket offices of the Valley of the Kings or at the Antiquities Service office in Luxor. The cost is high (about 1400 Egyptian pounds), and time inside is limited to 10 minutes. But it is worth it—you find yourself inside a living masterpiece.
Tips for Visiting:
• Photography is strictly prohibited in the tomb of Nefertari. In others, it is usually allowed without flash.
• Wear comfortable shoes for climbing stairs and walking on gravel.
• After viewing the tombs, climb to the viewing platform at the entrance to the gorge to appreciate the scale and seclusion of this sacred place.
The Valley of the Queens offers a different perspective on eternity. If the Valley of the Kings impresses with the power and cosmology of male divine rule, here lyricism, beauty, and intimacy reign. This is a journey into a world where death was transformed into eternal youth under the patronage of the great goddesses, and a pharaoh`s love for his wife and children was immortalized on walls to outlast millennia.
