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The Royal Palace
In the southern part of the Temple grounds, within the space between
the first and the second pylons, are the foundation of the Royal Palace that was built in two successive construction
stages. The Royal Palace was directly connected with the first courtyard of the Temple via the "Window of
Appearances" through which the pharaoh made his public appearances. However, it is not known for certain whether the
Royal Palace was in fact only a symbolic and ritual construction or whether it was indeed used by the Pharaoh when
he travelled to the western bank to preside over the most important religious ceremonies.
The Palace was built in at least two distinct phases (see plan) for Ramesses III. Part of
the palace is still visible, in antiquity it would have been much larger - stretching along the temple's western
wall and consuming most of the area between the temple and the mud-brick boundary wall.
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