Abu Simbel

Abu Simbel

Relocated 200 feet above and 600 feet west of its original location – which is now filled with the waters of the High Aswan Dam – is the great temple of Abu Simbel.  It is one of the most well known places in Egypt and it was saved from ruin by the dam in a 1968 conservation effort.  The temple was dismantled piece by piece and relocated to its new home south of the Aswan on the western banks of the Nile River.  The site that Abu Simbel now stands on was once known as Meha, and the temple itself is the greatest of seven temples that were built by Ramses II – better known as Ramses the Great.  Abu Simbel was discovered by European J.J. Burckhardt in 1813, who introduced the temple to the rest of the world.

The great temple of Abu Simbel was started during the fifth year of Ramses reign and was not completed until the 35th year.  It is very recognisable for its four colossal statutes of the seated Pharaoh that are 67 feet high and wearing the double crown that represents Upper and Lower Egypt that were carved in the rock face itself.  As a matter of fact, the statues of Ramses stand taller than the famed Memnon Colossus that was located in Thebes.  Each of the statues is decorated down the sides with hieroglyphics of the Nile gods.  Between and around the legs of the statues are smaller ones that depict members of Ramses’ royal family.  One of the statues was destroyed from the waist up during a massive earthquake in the area.

The temple itself is extensive and open to visitors who can walk among the various other statues and hieroglyphics that tell the story of the Ramses’ reign including his triumphs as Pharaoh, father, and warrior.  Visitors to Abu Simbel may also be interested in visiting the smaller temple that was built by Ramses in honour of his great wife Nefertari and the Egyptian goddess Hathor.  Located to the north of Abu Simbel, this temple is also carved right into the cliff face and the façade holds four 33 foot statues of Ramses and two of Nefertari.