The Abu Simbel Temple:

Built over 3,000 years ago by Pharaoh Ramses II, is one of the most awe-inspiring monuments of ancient Egypt. Located near the border with Sudan, this incredible temple complex showcases the grandeur of ancient Egyptian architecture and engineering. Famous for its colossal statues and intricate carvings, Abu Simbel was designed to honor both the gods and Ramses II’s legacy. In the 1960s, the temples were relocated to higher ground to protect them from the rising waters of Lake Nasser, making Abu Simbel not only a symbol of ancient power but also of modern preservation.

Abu Simbel is a renowned historical site in southern Egypt, famous for its two massive rock-cut temples. Carved into a sandstone cliff on the west bank of the Nile River, these temples were built during the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses II (1279-1213 BC) to commemorate his victory at the Battle of Kadesh.

One of the most remarkable features of Abu Simbel is the precise alignment of the temples. The Great Temple, dedicated to the gods Amun-Re, Ra-Horakhty, and Ptah, is aligned so that the sun shines directly into the innermost sanctuary twice a year: on February 22 (Ramesses II’s birthday) and October 22 (the accession day of Ramesses II). This alignment was a feat of engineering and astronomical knowledge, demonstrating the advanced civilization of ancient Egypt.

The Small Temple, dedicated to the goddess Hathor and Queen Nefertari, is also a marvel of architecture. It features six colossal statues, including two of Ramesses II and two of Nefertari. The interior of the temple is adorned with intricate carvings and paintings depicting scenes from Egyptian mythology and the life of Ramesses II.

In the 1960s, the temples were relocated to higher ground to protect them from the rising waters of Lake Nasser, created by the Aswan High Dam. The relocation was a massive undertaking, involving the cutting of the temples into sections and moving them to a new site. Today, Abu Simbel stands as a testament to the ingenuity and perseverance of ancient Egyptian engineers and the efforts of modern-day conservationists.

1-The Great Temple of Ramses II: A Monument to Power and Precision

The Great Temple of Ramses II, the larger of the two temples at Abu Simbel, is a testament to the pharaoh’s power and the engineering prowess of ancient Egypt. The temple is most renowned for its four colossal statues of Ramesses II, each standing an impressive 20 meters tall. Carved directly into the rock, these statues are a symbol of the pharaoh’s greatness and his divine connection to the gods.

Inside the temple, visitors are greeted by a breathtaking array of intricate carvings and statues that depict scenes from Egyptian mythology and the life of Ramesses II. One of the most fascinating features of the temple is its precise alignment. Twice a year, on February 22 and October 22, the rising sun shines directly into the innermost sanctuary, illuminating the statues of the gods Amun, Ra-Horakhty, and Ptah. This alignment is believed to mark the pharaoh’s birthday and coronation, demonstrating the astronomical knowledge and engineering skills of the ancient Egyptians.

2-Abu Simbel Temple: A Monument of Ancient Egypt

The Abu Simbel Temple complex, located near the border with Sudan, is a testament to the power and engineering prowess of ancient Egypt. Carved into the mountainside over 3,000 years ago during the reign of Pharaoh Ramses II, this UNESCO World Heritage site consists of two magnificent temples: the Great Temple of Ramses II and the Small Temple dedicated to his beloved wife, Queen Nefertari.

The Great Temple, the larger of the two, is a marvel of architecture. Its entrance is guarded by four colossal statues of Ramses II, each standing an impressive 20 meters tall. Inside, the temple is adorned with intricate carvings and statues that depict scenes from Egyptian mythology and the life of the pharaoh. One of the most fascinating features of the Great Temple is its precise alignment. Twice a year, on February 22 and October 22, the rising sun shines directly into the temple, illuminating the statues of the gods while the statue of Ptah remains in shadow.

Next to the Great Temple stands the Small Temple, dedicated to Queen Nefertari and the goddess Hathor. This temple is equally impressive, with its entrance adorned by six colossal statues: four of Ramses II and two of Nefertari. The interior of the Small Temple is decorated with scenes of the royal couple making offerings to the gods and depictions of the goddess Hathor. This temple highlights the significance of Nefertari in the life of Ramses II and the importance of women in ancient Egyptian society.

3-The Remarkable Relocation of Abu Simbel

The construction of the Aswan High Dam in the 1960s posed a significant threat to the preservation of Abu Simbel. The rising waters of Lake Nasser, created by the dam, would have submerged the temples beneath the water. To safeguard these ancient monuments, a monumental international effort, led by UNESCO, was launched to relocate the entire temple complex to higher ground.

The relocation process was a complex and delicate undertaking. The temples were carefully cut into large blocks, weighing up to 30 tons each, and then transported to their new location. The project involved meticulous planning, advanced engineering techniques, and the coordination of international experts. Despite the challenges, the relocation of Abu Simbel was successfully completed in four years, solidifying its place as one of the greatest engineering feats of modern times. The successful preservation of Abu Simbel stands as a testament to the commitment of the international community and the dedication of the engineers and experts involved in this monumental project.

4-Visiting Abu Simbel Today: A Journey into the Past

Abu Simbel remains a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from around the world who come to marvel at the ancient art and architecture of these remarkable temples. Located approximately 280 kilometers south of Aswan, Abu Simbel is typically visited as a day trip from Aswan, accessible by plane or bus.

To avoid the midday heat and experience the full impact of the temple’s lighting, many visitors choose to arrive early in the morning. Witnessing the sunrise at Abu Simbel is a truly magical experience, as the first rays of light illuminate the colossal statues, creating a breathtaking atmosphere.

For those interested in learning more about the history of Abu Simbel and the relocation project, a visit to the visitor center is highly recommended. The center provides informative exhibits and displays that shed light on the significance of these ancient temples and the remarkable efforts undertaken to preserve them.

Additionally, visitors can choose to visit Abu Simbel during the Sun Festival, held in February and October. This special event commemorates the precise alignment of the temple with the sun, resulting in a stunning light display that highlights the architectural ingenuity of the ancient Egyptians.

The sun is perpendicular to the face of Ramses II

The Pharaohs discovered that the sun passes over each point in its path twice a year, and the time distance between them varies based on the distance of the point from the east point exactly, so they built the Abu Simbel Temple so that the direction of the path of the sun’s rays entering the face of the statue of Ramses II from the east is accurately calculated.

The Temple of King Ramses II, located in the Abu Simbel area in Aswan Governorate, witnesses a unique phenomenon that occurs twice a year on October 22 and February 22. The reason behind these two days is two stories, the first is that the ancient Egyptians designed the temple based on the movement of the astronomy to determine the beginning of the agricultural season and the harvest season, and the second is that these two days coincide with the day of the birth of King Ramses II and the day of his coronation on the throne.

The sun is perpendicular to the face of only 3 statues, which are the statue of King Ramses II, sitting next to the statue of the god Ra-Hor, his sister, and the god Amun. As for the fourth statue, it is the god Ptah, as the sun is not perpendicular to his statue because the ancient Egyptians considered him the “god of darkness.”

This unique phenomenon occurs once thanks to the pharaohs in the Abu Simbel Temple, but thanks to the ingenuity of the descendants of the pharaohs, this phenomenon was repeated again in the Grand Egyptian Museum, in the Pyramids area of ​​Giza, thus becoming “the king whose face the sun has not set on for more than 3,000 years.”

The sun’s rays are perpendicular to the face of King Ramses II on February 21 at the Grand Egyptian Museum after the engineers of the Grand Museum and astronomers succeeded in applying the idea of ​​perpendicularity twice a year one day before the original date, following the approach of the pharaonic ancestors who applied the same idea with the same king thousands of years ago, which is something that has puzzled millions around the world. Which was celebrated only in Abu Simbel in Aswan annually, but after the Egyptians followed the path of their ancestors, we started celebrating it twice a year in Abu Simbel and the Grand Egyptian Museum until now.

“But with the continued ingenuity of the descendants of the ancient Egyptians, we will not know how many times we will celebrate this phenomenon from now on!!!”