Abu Simble fascinating stories

What is Abu Simbel?

Built by King Ramses II, the Abu Simbel temples are two temples carved out of the rocks. The larger temple is called the Temple of Ramses and is dedicated to the king himself as well as the gods Ptah, Amun, and Re- Harakty. The smaller of the two is named the Temple of Nefertari and is dedicated to Ramses's beloved wife (Nefertari) as well as the goddess Hathor.

When were the Abu Simbel Temples built?

The temples were built in 1244 BC and took 20 years to complete. Abu Simbel was constructed as a vessel to worship deities. Ramses II made certain that they would serve as tangible remnants of the king and queen's memory as well as a symbol of Egypt's regional superiority.

Four statues flank the entrance of the Temple of Ramses, and the pharaoh demanded his face be sculpted in each god sculpture, reflecting his divine stature. This was also to ensure that any issue brought on by Akhenaton, the introducer of monotheism, was resolved.

What are the highlights of Abu Simbel?

Ramses Temple has a number of rooms dedicated to the gods, himself and his family. One of the most spectacular events at Abu Simbel takes place biannually on 22 February and 22 October— dated of Ramses' coronation and birthday—, when the sun enter the deepest room in the temple and illuminates the three statues inside.

What makes the Temple of Nefertari special?

A symbol of grandiosity and eternal love, the Temple of Nefertari is smaller than the Temple of Ramses but has a spectacular design fit only for a royal queen. Although the pharaoh had other wives (and it is believed he fathered more than 100 children), Nefertari held a special place in his heart. They married before he took the throne and played an important role in political. Her statue is the same size as Ramses', something unusual at the time but reflects how he saw her as his equal.

It is said that Nefertari died before the competition of the temple. Ramses II mourned her death and kept the title of Royal Queen only to her, despite having many other wives.

Is it true that the Abu Simbel temples changed location?

Yes. In the 1960's the Egyptian government built Aswan's High Dam to generate more electricity and irrigate the lands. It was an ambitious project at that time and threatened to drown a number of monuments and temples including Abu Simbel.

Cognizant of the huge loss, the Egyptian Government and UNESCO joined forces to move the temples to a safer and higher place. The stones were cut, carried, and placed in a new location. It took more than five years, millions of dollars and the manpower of thousands of workers. Thanks to this ambitious undertaking, today we are able to marvel at the grandeur of the temples as well as the stunning Temple of Philae, another rescued site. Not all the temples could be saved and today they are found underwater in Lake Nasser.

Should I include Abu Simbel in my itinerary?

Although Abu Simbel often falls off the touristic route, it is definitely worth seeing even if you only have a few days. Despite many tourists overlooking it, Abu Simbel is actually considered the second most important site in Egypt following the Great Pyramids of Giza. So, if you have the time, you should definitely pay the grand temples a visit. These beautiful monuments were buried for centuries and only recently discovered in 1813. We are lucky to live at a time where we have access to these gems.

How to arrive in Abu Simbel?

Abu Simbel is 280km away from Aswan and most tourists go by bus or van with their tour guides (around a three house trip) but there is an independent bus option too. For a comfier ride, flights from Aswan to Abu Simbel take place every morning in a 30 minutes trip. Last but not least, if you choose a Nile cruise that sails on the Lake Nasser you do not need to worry about transportation since your ship will take you there.

Most of visitors enjoy going early in the morning to see the sunrise.