Explore The Temples Of Abu Simbel

Although many people generally associate Egypt with the pyramids, there are other interesting sites in the country. The Temples of Abu Simbel are good examples, as they are among the most significant temples from the era of the pharaohs. The temples are located some 280 kilometers to the south of Aswan close to the Sudan border.

The two interesting temples were cut out from rock way back during the time of Ramses II-from 1290 to 1223 BC. These special masterpieces were almost lost during the erection of the High Dam, which resulted in the man-made Lake Nasser whose waters threatened to submerge the temples. However, UNESCO worked hand in hand with various countries to save the temples.

One of the things that make the temples more interesting is the process that was used to save them. They were cut into numerous pieces and reconstructed some 200 meters away from the original site, 65 meters higher. The rescue process was started in June 1964 and completed in September 1968.

King Ramses II built the first temple in honor of their gods: Re-Hor-Akhty, Amon and Ptah. He also dedicated it to himself as a deified King; hence its name: Temple of Ramses II. The temple's facade covers a length of 35 meters, a height of 30 meters and has four colossi of the pharaoh, each of which is 20 meters tall. Each of the colossi shows the king sitting on his throne with a double crown. There are also three little figures representing his wives, sons and daughters.

The image of Re-Hor-Akhty is above the temple's entrance. On the upper part of the facade are several baboons.

Osirid-shaped pillars support the hall inside the temple, all of which were cut out of rock. On the walls are decorations depicting scenes of offerings and battle. The walls of the side rooms that lead to the hall also have different decorations. The sanctuary is at the end of the temple, having four statues representing the four beings that the temple was dedicated to: Re-Hor-Akhty, Ptah, Amon-Re and the pharaoh.

120 meters away from the Temple of Ramses II is the second one: the Temple of Nefertari. Ramses II built the temple and dedicated it to the goddess Hathor and his own Queen Nefertari, who was his most beloved wife. Its facade is 28 meters long and 12 meters high. The facade features six standing colossi, each of which is about eleven meters tall. Four colossi represent the pharaoh while the remaining two represent his beloved Queen Nefertari. There are also two smaller figures representing their children.

The entrance of the square goes to a square hall that is supported by six Hathor-headed pillars. The decorations portray the pharaoh and his queen giving offerings to various deities. A doorway at the end of the hall leads to a vestibule that also has different decorations representing the king and queen. There is statue of the goddess Hathor in the sanctuary, which is in the form of a cow that protects the pharaoh.