The Abu Simbel temples, which are located on the shores of Lake Nasser south of Aswan, are some of the most well-known in all of Egypt. These enormous rock-hewn temples, which were constructed by the greatest pharaoh Ramesses II (also known as the Temple of Ramesses II), marked the southern frontier of the Egyptian Empire with Nubia at the height of the New Kingdom empire.
The purpose of their creation was to convey the authority of the Egyptian pharaohs to anyone who saw them. These temples include some of the finest carvings from the prehistoric Pharaonic era. Four statues guard the entrance to the larger one.
Revisiting the Temples of Abu Simbel
The Abu Simbel Temples were rediscovered in 1813 by Swiss adventurer John Louis Burckhardt after a period of isolation from civilization. The enormous statues in front of the temple’s entrance have been abandoned and are largely covered with desert sand.
Since the sand was eventually removed in 1909, these twin temples have gained popularity, becoming the most well-known landmarks in southern Egypt.
Moving the Temples of Abu Simbel
Due to the Aswan High Dam’s development, the Abu Simbel temples were in danger from the increasing Nile floods. To protect the historic temple from the Nile’s flooding, the temple was relocated from Abu Simbel. The Abu Simbel Temples were disassembled in 1968 and relocated to a plateau in the desert 180 metres to the west and 64 metres above the original structure. The task of moving the temple was laborious. It wasn’t employment. The Temple was broken up into pieces and reassembled in its new place exactly as it was when it was first built, weighing between 3 and 20 tonnes. It took over five years to finish.
What’s the appearance of the Abu Simbel Temple?
Two temples can be found. The first is The Great Temple, which served as Ramesses II’s private temple. The second temple, known as the Lesser Temple, is dedicated to his wife, Queen Nefertari.
Great temple
The construction of Abu Simbel’s Great Temple took roughly 20 years. This temple, also known as the Temple of Ramesses II, is devoted to the gods Amun, Rahorakti, Ptah, and the great monarch Ramesses himself. It is regarded as one of his best temples in Egypt and the biggest and most majestic of the temples constructed under Ramesses II.
His four 20 m tall gigantic statues, which face the entrance to the Great Temple, show Ramesses II seated on a throne. The main temple’s façade is covered in hieroglyphs commemorating Ramesses II’s historic victory at the Battle of Kadesh.
There are several halls honouring significant members of Ramesses and his family inside the expansive temple. The Holy of Holies’ final chamber is always dark, save for two days each year. There is no chance for this. It requires in-depth understanding of astronomy, mathematics, architecture, and science.
little temple
The Lesser Temple, Hathor’s second temple, is where the goddess is revered. It was far smaller than the previous and was constructed to honour Ramses’ favourite wife, Nefertari. Pharaohs and queens appear to have equivalent rights. Various names include the Nefertari and Hathor temples.
The temple’s rock façade is decorated with two enormous groups of figures, which are divided by a huge gate.
Aligning the Sun with Abu Simbel’s Temple of Ramesses II
The sculptures of Ramesses and the gods to whom the temple is dedicated are illuminated by the sun twice a year when it shines in the largest and deepest portion of the temple.
On February 22, the day of his coronation, and on his birthday, October 22, the ancient builders placed the temple so that light entered the room. During these two days, the morning sun shines upon the four statues in the sanctuary and the temple cloister. The first of his three statues depicts Ramesses II of Egypt and Amon-Ra, the sun deity (king of the gods). Ramses was given to the gods because, like earlier pharaohs, he thought of himself as a god. The fourth monument, which honors Ptah, the deity of darkness, is still concealed in the shadows. Over 3,200 years have passed since the statue was in the dark.
Where are the Abu Simbel Temples located?
While Aswan is a short drive from the temple, the majority of tourists actually fly into Abu Simbel. It takes visitors about 2 hours to reach the temple because there are only two daily flights from Aswan and the journey from Aswan is only 30 minutes long.
On your boat around Lake Nasser, you can also go to the Abu Simbel temples. Passengers can view the temple in the early morning and moonlight when these ships dock right in front of it.
