Ramesseum: Where Pharaoh Ramesses the Great’s most ambitious temple lies in ruins [OC] [1335×2000]

I captured this aerial photo of the Ramesseum from a hot air balloon a couple weeks ago at Luxor. Ramesses II, also known as Ramesses the Great, has become the most well known pharaoh thanks in part to his numerous Hollywood depictions, but also as the most prolific builder in ancient Egyptian history. He left his mark throughout Egypt in the form of staggering colossal statues and grand constructions.

The Ramesseum, found on the West Bank of Luxor, was the pinnacle of his achievements – a temple where he hoped the worship of himself would last for eternity. Here, with its massive hypostyle halls and once the largest statue ever constructed, now lies in ruins, only recently resurfaced from centuries under the sand. From this height, you can even see remnants of his fallen colossal stature, once the largest in the world and the inspiration behind the Ozymandias poem – “Look at my works, ye Mighty, and despair!”

That morning I also visited the interior of the temple and made a very short video if you are interested in checking out: [Ramesseum](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=k1_qYvcJ57M)

Huh, looks much, much bigger from an aerial view