Overview
The Temple of Merneptah, also spelled Merenptah, is a ruined mortuary temple on the West Bank of Luxor, within the ancient Theban necropolis. It was built for Merneptah, the thirteenth son and eventual successor of Ramesses II, who ruled in the late thirteenth century BC during the Nineteenth Dynasty. The site lies between the Ramesseum and the Colossi of Memnon. It is a quieter stop for visitors interested in the many layers of Theban history.
Merneptah's builders reused stone extensively, taking blocks, statues and stelae from the nearby mortuary temple of Amenhotep III, which stood just to the south. This makes the site a rare place where the monuments of two different pharaohs are physically intertwined. Excavations led by Flinders Petrie in 1896 uncovered the famous Merneptah Stele here. It records the king's victory over Libyan invaders and contains the earliest known Egyptian mention of Israel.
Visitors should not expect a fully standing building. The site preserves foundations, scattered architectural blocks and fragments of statuary, and its value lies in its context and its story of royal reuse. Merneptah himself was buried not here but in tomb KV8 in the Valley of the Kings. Seeing the temple alongside the Ramesseum and the Colossi of Memnon gives a fuller picture of how Thebes' royal memorials developed.
What to see
- 01Reused blocks and statue fragments from the neighbouring temple of Amenhotep III
- 02The discovery site of the Merneptah (Israel) Stele, found by Flinders Petrie in 1896
- 03Foundations and layout of a late New Kingdom royal mortuary temple
- 04Easy pairing with the nearby Ramesseum and Colossi of Memnon
Visitor tips
- Confirm current access and ticketing arrangements locally before you go, as conditions at smaller West Bank sites can change.
- Combine the visit with the Ramesseum, the Colossi of Memnon and Medinet Habu, all close by on the West Bank.
- Go early or late in the day, and bring sun protection, water and sturdy shoes, since the ground is uneven and shade is limited.
Frequently asked questions
Who was Merneptah?
Merneptah was a pharaoh of the Nineteenth Dynasty who ruled in the late thirteenth century BC. He was the son and successor of Ramesses II and is known for his campaign against Libyan invaders. He was buried in tomb KV8 in the Valley of the Kings.
Where is the Temple of Merneptah?
It is on the West Bank of Luxor in the Theban necropolis, between the Ramesseum to the north and the site of Amenhotep III's mortuary temple and the Colossi of Memnon to the south.
Is the Israel Stele still at the temple?
No. Flinders Petrie found the Merneptah Stele, often called the Israel Stele, at the temple in 1896. It is now held in Cairo. The temple remains the place of its discovery.
