Obelisk of Hatshepsut

The Obelisk of Hatshepsut is a pink granite monument standing roughly 30 meters tall within the Karnak Temple Complex, making it the tallest surviving obelisk in Egypt. Detailed hieroglyphic inscriptions cover all four sides of the stone and remain clearly visible today.

The obelisk was erected around 1457 BCE during Egypt's 18th Dynasty under Pharaoh Hatshepsut. Later rulers attempted to erase her name from monuments across the kingdom, yet this stone preserved her legacy.

The carved inscriptions tell the story of how Hatshepsut claimed divine right and connection to Amun, unusual for a female ruler of her time. Visitors can see how the monument served to announce her power and legitimacy across the Nile valley.

The monument stands in the open within the temple complex and is best visited early in the day before the sun becomes intense. Comfortable walking shoes and sun protection are essential, as the area offers little shade.

Moving this massive stone required remarkable engineering and multiple boats placed side by side to distribute the weight. Nile mud was spread beneath the load to reduce friction as workers transported it downstream over several months.