Abu Simbel temples are a part of the UNESCO World Heritage archaeological site known as the "Nubian Monuments". The temple complex, known as the "Temple of Ramesses, beloved by Amun", was constructed around 1284 BC and took about 20 years to complete. Ramses II, a pharaoh of Egypt during the 19th dynasty, ruled for 67 years in the 13th century BC, which was the peak of Ancient Egypt's power and glory. It was one of six rock temples built in Nubia during Ramses' reign to impress Egypt's southern neighbours and reinforce the status of Egyptian religion in the region.
Over time, the temples were covered in sand, and by the 6th century BC, the sand had reached the statues of the main temple up to their knees. The temple was forgotten until 1813 when Swiss orientalist J.L. Burckhardt discovered the top frieze of the main temple. Italian explorer Giovanni Belzoni later succeeded in entering the complex and took valuable items with him.
In 1959, an international donations campaign to save the Nubian monuments began due to the threat posed by the rising waters of the Nile from the construction of the Aswan High Dam. The salvage of the Abu Simbel temples took place between 1964 and 1968, involving the cutting of the entire site into large blocks, dismantling, and reassembling in a new location 65m higher and 200m back from the river.
Today, the temples are a popular tourist destination, with thousands of visitors arriving daily by guarded convoys of buses and cars from Aswan. A special airfield was also constructed for visitors arriving by plane.
Great Temple
Carved out of the mountain on the west bank of the Nile between 1274 and 1244 BC, the main temple of the Abu Simbel complex is dedicated to the deified Ramses II, Ra-Horakhty, Amun, and Ptah. The four colossal statues of the pharaoh at the front of the temple serve as imposing sentinels, designed to showcase the strength of the pharaoh.
The Great Temple at Abu Simbel took around twenty years to be built. It is generally considered the grandest and most beautiful of the temples commissioned during Ramesses II’s reign, and one of the most beautiful in Egypt.
Over time, the Nile and desert sands shifted, causing the temple to be lost until 1813 when it was rediscovered by Swiss explorer Jean-Louis Burckhardt. Only one of the heads of the statues was visible above the sand, and the rest were partially buried. The temple was later cleared and entered in 1817 by Giovanni Belzoni.
The temple's facade is about 30m high and 35m wide, with colossal statues and smaller statues of Ramses II's family members. The roof of the large hall is decorated with vultures symbolizing the protective goddess Nekhbet. The walls depict scenes of Ramses II in battle and the famous Battle of Kadesh. The temple was aligned so that on February 21 and October 21, the first rays of the rising sun illuminated the figures of Ra-Horakhty, Ramses II, and Amun in the sanctuary.
Small Temple
The second temple, known as the Small Temple, is dedicated to the goddess Hathor and was built to honour Ramses' favourite wife, Nefertari. Despite being smaller than the first temple, it features Nefertari on an equal footing with the pharaoh. This temple is also referred to as the Temple of Hathor and Nefertari.
The rock-cut façade of the temple is adorned with two groups of colossi, separated by a large gateway.
The larger temple is aligned with the sun, allowing sunlight to penetrate its deepest recesses twice a year. This illumination occurs on February 22, the anniversary of Ramses' accession to the throne, and on his birthday, October 22. During these times, the sun rises to illuminate the temple corridor and three of the four statues in the sanctuary. The first three statues depict Pharaoh Ramses II, Ra (the god of the sun), and Ammon (the king of the gods). The fourth statue, representing Ptah, the god of darkness, remains in darkness and has not seen sunlight in over 3,200 years.
Abu Simbel Sun Festival
The Abu Simbel Sun Festival takes place twice a year, on February 22nd and October 22nd. People from around the world gather at the Temples of Abu Simbel to celebrate the ancient Egyptians and their achievements. During the festival, the central chamber of the temple is illuminated by the sun, showcasing the remarkable alignment of the temple built by the ancient Egyptians. Several thousand people gather early in the morning to witness this incredible event, which pays tribute to the knowledge and skill of the ancient Egyptians.
How to get to the Abu Simbel Temples?
The temples are located several hours' drive south of Aswan. Tourists can reach Abu Simbel by plane. The flight from Aswan takes only 30 minutes, and there are two flights a day. This timing allows tourists to have about two hours to spend at the temples. It is also possible to visit Abu Simbel by joining a Lake Nasser cruise. These ships moor just in front of the temples, allowing passengers to see the temples by moonlight and in the early morning light.