In Luxor, “Ramesses tombs” usually refers to the royal burials of the Ramesside rulers (late 19th Dynasty + 20th Dynasty) inside the Valley of the Kings.
These tombs are cut into the limestone cliffs and laid out as long corridors leading to a burial chamber — a symbolic journey through the night sky and the underworld.
The site belongs to the Theban Necropolis, protected as UNESCO World Heritage. [1]
“KV” = King’s Valley. The number is simply a modern catalog label. It does not indicate rank, beauty, or importance.
Example: KV2 is the tomb of Ramesses IV; KV11 is the tomb of Ramesses III. [3]
If you have limited time, prioritize one “deep-blue” masterpiece (often KV9), one classic royal tomb plan (KV2),
and one dramatic narrative tomb (KV11). You’ll get the widest “range” of styles in one visit.
في الاستخدام السياحي: “مقابر رمسيس” تعني غالبًا المقابر الملكية لملوك يحملون اسم رمسيس داخل وادي الملوك.
ستلاحظ أن النصوص الجنائزية مرسومة كأنها “خرائط” للآخرة — هدفها حماية الملك وإرشاده في رحلته الليلية.
The Ramesside era is the later phase of the New Kingdom. The royal court still centered on Thebes (Luxor), while Egypt managed diplomacy, trade, and conflict on multiple fronts.
In tomb decoration, the focus becomes increasingly “textbook-like”: long corridors filled with standard afterlife compositions, cosmic ceilings, and protective deities.
[8]
- Ramesses II (KV7): one of the most famous kings; his tomb suffered heavy flood damage.
- Related: KV5 (sons of Ramesses II) is enormous, but not usually open to visitors.
- Ramesses III (KV11): long, narrative corridors; famous “harper” scenes.
- Ramesses IV (KV2): compact but richly decorated; close to the valley entrance.
- Ramesses V/VI (KV9): celebrated cosmic ceiling + deep blues.
- Ramesses IX (KV6): wide entrance; decoration completed quickly.
These walls aren’t “random myth.” They are a carefully sequenced theology of protection, regeneration, and cosmic order —
a visual script for turning a dead king into an effective divine ancestor.
Tip: Keep an eye out for repeated motifs across tombs (solar barque, gates/guardians, stars, Nut).
The repetition helps you “read” a tomb faster once you’ve seen one or two.
Availability can change for conservation, but the tombs below are among the most commonly referenced “Ramesses” highlights.
Always double-check at the ticket office which tombs are open on the day you visit.
Excellent “starter tomb”: close to the entrance, clear layout, rich color.
Dynasty 20
- Known for extensive graffiti from later visitors — a reminder that the valley has been “touristed” for millennia.
- Decoration includes major afterlife compositions (Litany of Ra, Caverns, Amduat, etc.). [5]
- Plans and documentation are a specialty of the Theban Mapping Project. [3]
Long, story-like corridors; among the best-known Ramesside tombs.
Dynasty 20
- Originally started by Setnakhte, then extended for Ramesses III. [6]
- Look for “harper” scenes and richly colored protective figures.
- Modern documentation and conservation are supported by dedicated research projects. [6]
The “blue ceiling” masterpiece: cosmic imagery, Nut, Day & Night compositions.
Dynasty 20
- Begun by Ramesses V and enlarged/used by Ramesses VI. [2]
- Famous for highly legible ceiling texts and cosmic scenes (Nut framing the day/night cycle).
Historically huge and important — but heavily impacted by flooding.
Dynasty 19
- Close to KV5 (sons of Ramesses II) and KV8 (Merenptah). [7]
- Its low position made it vulnerable to flash floods, damaging decoration over time. [11]
- Even when fragments are worn, it’s valuable for understanding Ramesses II’s funerary program. [9]
Wide entrance, long corridors; decoration suggests a “rush to finish.”
Dynasty 20
- Archaeological summaries often note that the tomb wasn’t fully finished when the king died. [10]
- Great for spotting standard Ramesside iconography in a clean, readable layout.
Photography rules change; some tombs require a separate camera ticket or restrict flash. When in doubt, assume no flash and follow posted signs.
Preserving pigment and plaster is more important than any photo.
Ramesside tombs are immersive: ceilings become a night sky; corridors become the sun-god’s path through twelve hours of darkness.
Specific compositions vary by king, but many tombs repeat a shared library of texts. [8]
- Litany of Ra — a liturgical sequence of the sun god’s names.
- Amduat — the sun’s night journey through the underworld.
- Book of Gates — passage through guarded portals.
- Book of Caverns — deeper regions, punishments, and regeneration.
- Book of the Dead — protective spells and guidance.
- Stars: ceilings dotted with five-pointed stars = cosmic setting.
- Nut: the sky goddess often stretches across ceilings, framing Day/Night cycles (especially in KV9).
- Gate guardians: each gate has deities and spells; the king’s name appears repeatedly for protection.
- Palette: deep blues + golds often survive best in well-ventilated corridors.
Watch for repeated royal cartouches (the king’s name in an oval). Those labels help you identify which ruler “owns” the decoration.
Then notice the direction of movement: figures facing inward often guide you deeper into the tomb’s symbolic journey.
Many royal tombs are fragile micro-environments. Human breath and body heat raise humidity; touching introduces oils and salts; flash can accelerate pigment degradation.
Flood events have historically pushed debris into low-lying tombs — one reason some (like KV7) can be heavily damaged. [11]
- No touching walls or reliefs (even “lightly”).
- Stay on paths; avoid leaning on surfaces.
- Keep groups moving; avoid crowding a single spot.
- No flash. Ever.
Scientific documentation (plans, photography, 3D capture) and careful conservation allow the tombs to remain accessible while minimizing damage.
Programs like the Theban Mapping Project and specialist conservation teams have set modern standards for the valley. [4]
The Valley of the Kings is on Luxor’s West Bank. Most visitors arrive by car/taxi or with a tour, then use the site shuttle/walkways.
A standard entry ticket usually includes a limited number of tombs, while a few “special” tombs may require an additional ticket.
Because policies and pricing can change, treat posted information at the entrance as the source of truth.
Go early for cooler air and fewer crowds — you’ll see colors better and move more comfortably through narrow corridors.
- Water + sun protection (outside is exposed).
- Closed-toe shoes (stone floors, some uneven areas).
- A light layer: interiors can feel cool after heat.
Tombs involve ramps, steps, and narrow passages. If mobility is limited, choose tombs with gentler slopes (ask staff which are easiest that day).
Even if a tomb looks “stone-hard,” most of what you admire is fragile plaster + pigment on a living cliff face.
Slow down, stay mindful, and you help keep these masterpieces open for the next visitors.
