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The mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut is one of the most dramatically situated in the world. The queen's architect, Senmut, designed it and set it at the head of a valley overshadowed by the Peak of the Thebes, the "Lover of Silence," where lived the goddess who presided over the necropolis. A tree lined avenue of sphinxes led up to the temple, and ramps led from terrace to terrace. At the back, and beyond the temple is the Valley of the Kings. In November of 1997 68 people, most of which were tourists were attacked here and killed by an islamic extremist group. Just to show how volatile the area is, although it's much safer today with all the safety measures that have been implemented.