Most of us have heard of the VALLEY OF THE KINGS near Luxor, where many of Egypt’s Pharaohs were buried. But how many of us know that there is also a VALLEY OF THE QUEENS? I certainly didn’t and was very surprised to find out about it.

It is located about one mile southwest of the VALLEY OF THE KINGS. The queens, like their Pharaohs  were burial in tombs cut into the mountain. The most famous tomb (QV66)  discovered in 1904 by the Italian Ernesto Schiaperelli, is the tomb of NEFERTARI. She was Ramsesses II favorite wife.  He had a temple built for her next to his in Abu Simbel,  where the size of her status where on the same scale as his.

Ramesses II temple is in the far back and Nefertari’s is in the front

Her tomb is the most spectacular one in the VALLEY OF THE QUEENS – but there are many others very worthwhile to see. with the added advantage that there are never as many tourists as in the VALLEY OF THE KINGS.

PS. When children of the Royal Families died, they were buried in the VALLEY OF THE QUEENS, close to their mothers.

More from Egypt soon

              Brigitte