Abu Simbel Great Temples
Abu Simbel Great Temples were built by King Ramses II 1290-1223 BC, in the 19th Dynasty. Ramses II built the Great Temple for himself and the great Hours of Bohen. He also built the Small Temple for his beloved wife, Queen Nefertari, and the goddess Hathor of Ibshek. The Great Temples of Abu Simbel were built about 280 km southwest of Aswan and 1300 km, south of Cairo.
The Great Temple of Abu Simbel, in Nubia near Egypt’s southern border, is among the most awe-inspiring monuments of Egypt. It was cut into the living rock by King Ramesses II (the Great) The temple is most well known for the four imposing seated colossal statues that dominate its façade. One of these collapsed because of an ancient earthquake, and its fragments can still be seen on the ground.
Four Colossal standing statues of the king line the main hall, leading to the sanctuary where four deities sat: Amun Ra, Ra Horakhty, Ptah, and a deified version of Ramesses II. The temple was built with such precision that on two days a year, the 21st of February and the 21st of October, the sun’s rays enter the temple, cross the main hall, and illuminate the innermost statues. Now after moving and saving the Temples of Abu Simbel with such precision that on two days a year changed with only one day, the 22nd of February and the 22nd of October. To be honest, seeing the volume of the transfer of the Temple it seems to be a miracle done by men
Another rock-cut temple to the north, known as the Small Temple, is dedicated to the goddess Hathor and Ramesses II’s Great Royal Wife, Queen Nefertari. On the façade of the Small Temple, her colossi are the same size as those of her husband, a very rare example of such display.
The two temples were moved from their original location in 1968 after the Aswan High Dam was built, as it threatened to submerge them. The relocation was completed thanks to an international effort led by UNESCO, and the temple was admitted into its list of World Heritage Sites in 1979.
The Great Temple of Abu Simbel of King Ramses II
The Small Temple of Abu Simbel of Queen Nefertari
How to visit the Great Temples of Abu Simbel?
- Firstly you need to be in Aswan you will have two options: to travel by an air-conditioned vehicle for about 280 km about 3.5 hours or to book a flight from Aswan to Abu Simbel which is about 30-40 m.
- You can book the Nile Cruise itinerary; which helps you visit Abu Simbel Temples when you are in Aswan. https://www.egypteasyway.com/en/tour/nile-cruise-pyramids-luxor
- You can Contact us on https://www.egypteasyway.com/en/contact-us-book-your-trip/