Valley of the Queens
Valley of the Queens is the final resting place of some of the most beautiful and powerful queens, princesses, nobles, and other members of the royal family. It is located on the West Bank of Luxor’s Theban Necropolis, in close proximity to Valley of the Kings that you can visit during your Egypt tour packages where it used to be called TA-set-Neferu (The Place of Beauty) during ancient Times. It has the same poor
Valley of the Queens
unimpressive exterior and entrance as the Valley of the Kings for the purpose of protecting the valley from Looters. It contains more than 75 tombs from the 18th to the 20th dynasties to the wives & daughters of the Pharaohs. These Tombs were not as extravagant or as large as the Kings’ tombs but the beauty of the decoration remained the same.
Famous Tombs in the Valley of the Queens
The tomb of Queen Nefertari is famous as she was the main consort of King Ramses II, the tomb contained beautiful artwork and decorations representing the queen with different Gods and goddesses like Hathor. It depicted Nefertari giving offerings to gods like Osiris and Atum and held scenes from “The Book of the Gates” on the walls of the
Valley of the Queen’s
burial chamber. A lot of Tombs were found in the 18 dynasties belonging to the Thutmosid period like the tomb of Princess Ahmose the daughter of Seqenenre Tao. In the 19th dynasty, the Valley of the Queens became very exclusive as it held many High Ranking Wives Of Ramesses I, Ramesses II, and Seti I. It also contains the impressive tombs of Wives and sons of Ramesses III such as Prince Amon-Khopshef & Prince Khaem-waset during the 20th dynasty. Valley of the Queens is the final resting place of some of the most beautiful and powerful Queens, princesses, nobles, and other members of the royal family.
– Where is the Valley of the Queens Located?
– What was the Valley of the Queens Built for?
– Protecting the Royal Treasures for the Afterlife
– When was the Valley of The Queens Built?
– Visiting the Valley of the Queens
– The Tomb of Nefertari
The Valley of the Queens is a major necropolis containing over 110 tombs across its main and subsidiary valleys. Established in the 18th Dynasty, it became the burial ground for royal women and children, beginning with Princess Ahmose’s tomb under Thutmose I. The site flourished in the 19th and 20th dynasties, achieving its height with the creation of Queen Nefertari’s tomb (QV66)—renowned as the “Sistine Chapel of Ancient Egypt” for its extraordinary wall paintings. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, the valley preserves the artistic, architectural, and cultural heritage of ancient Egypt while ongoing conservation work protects its masterpieces for future generations.
The Origins of the Valley of the Queens
The limestone hills on Nile’s west bank held deep meaning for Egyptian royalty who wanted eternal rest. This remarkable burial ground became a special place for queens, royal wives, princesses, and some high-ranking nobles during the New Kingdom period. The site saw heavy use through the 19th and 20th dynasties (1292-1075 BCE).
Why it was called Ta-Set-Neferu
Ancient Egyptians gave this sacred necropolis the name Ta-Set-Neferu, which carried two meanings. People translated it as “The Place of Beauty” or “The Place of the Royal Children”. This name captured both the location’s physical beauty and its role as the final resting place for royal family members.
Queens of earlier times rested within kings’ tombs or plain separate chambers. The Ramesside period (1292-1075 BC) changed this practice. Royal women’s tombs grew larger and more ornate than their 18th Dynasty ancestors, showing their higher status in Egyptian society.
Geographical location and natural features
The Valley of the Queens is located on Luxor’s West Bank, about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) west of Ramses III’s temple at Madīnat Habu and just south of the Valley of the Kings. Part of the wider Theban Necropolis, it includes several sub-valleys—such as the Valley of Prince Ahmose, the Valley of the Rope, the Valley of the Three Pits, and the Valley of the Dolmen—which together contain 110 tombs. Rugged cliffs encircle the site, forming a natural protective barrier that offered both security and spiritual tranquility. Its position on the west bank aligned with ancient Egyptian beliefs connecting the setting sun with death, rebirth, and the journey to the afterlife.
Connection to Deir el-Medina and Valley of the Kings
Two nearby sites influenced the Valley of the Queens’ selection as a royal burial ground. Deir el-Medina, home to the skilled workers who carved and decorated the tombs, lay only 1 km away, giving craftsmen easy access through the Valley of the Dolmen. The location also balanced the royal necropolis: kings were buried in the north (Valley of the Kings) while queens rested in the south, both within sacred territory. Spiritual considerations further shaped the choice—an ancient Hathor grotto at the valley’s entrance symbolized protection, motherhood, and rebirth, reinforcing the site’s role as a place where royal women could attain divine renewal.
Royal Burials Through the Dynasties
The burial practices in the Valley of the Queens changed dramatically across three dynasties of the New Kingdom period. These changes show us how ancient Egyptian society viewed royal women and children differently over time.
