The Monumental Abu Simbel Temple
Abu Simbel Temple clearly is an iconic monument since its remarkable rediscovery in 1813, commands attention. Especially it’s geometric and beautiful design, coupled with its colossal stature, makes it a must-see. Furthermore, the temple’s axis aligns with the sun, directly illuminating the statues within. For those on our Egypt Solar Eclipse Tour-2027, discover the fascinating origin and relocation of Abu Simbel.
Origin of Abu Simbel Temple
Abu Simbel Temple boasts two monumental rock-cut temples, a prominent historical site. strategically situated in the village of Abu Simbel. Moreover, the site of Abu Simbel is majestically perched on the western shore of Lake Nasser, situated about 230 km southwest of Aswan.
These twin temples, a remarkable feat of Pharaoh Ramesses II’s 13th-century BC reign (19th Dynasty), were painstakingly carved from sandstone into the mountainside. Moreover, the temple entrances feature iconic and imposing statues of Ramesses II, flanked by smaller figures of his beloved wife, Nefertari, and their children.
Upon entering the Great Temple, elaborate sculptures are found which celebrate Ramesses II’s magnificent triumph at the Battle of Kadesh. A battle widely considered one of the most iconic battles in ancient Egyptian history.
What made Abu Simbel Famous?
1ST: Its Solar Alignment and its purpose
The ingenious ancient Egyptian architects of Abu Simbel remarkably designed the temple’s axis. Because of this design, on precisely October 22 and February 22, sunlight spectacularly illuminates the statues on the sanctuary’s back wall. Nevertheless, Ptah, the god of the underworld, remained in darkness. Thus, these dates attract numerous visitors to Abu Simbel to witness this unique solar alignment, an event still celebrated every year.
It is often suggested that these dates mark Ramesses II’s birthday and coronation day.
Calculations, meticulously based on Sirius’s (Sothis) rising and archaeological inscriptions, powerfully suggest October 22 was a truly significant date. For instance, the sunlight on this day likely energized and renewed the image of the deified Ramesses the Great, symbolically placing him alongside Amun-Ra and Ra-Horakhty.
However, due to the gradual shift of the Tropic of Cancer, a consequence of Earth’s axial precession over the past three millennia, the original dates of this phenomenon would have been significantly different when the temple was first constructed.
Additionally, the temple’s relocation to avoid submersion by Lake Nasser may have affected the precision of the current alignment.
2nd: Its monumental ambitious relocation
The Abu Simbel temples’ relocation, a truly remarkable undertaking, commenced in 1964 under the guidance of a UNESCO-led international team. This ambitious project cost approximately $40 million, equivalent to a modern value of $392.96 million. During the period of 1964 to 1968, the team meticulously divided the site into 30-ton blocks before dismantling, lifting, and expertly reassembling them 65 meters above and 200 meters from their original spot.
Without a doubt, this monumental undertaking stands as a remarkable achievement in archaeological engineering. What’s more, the dramatic rescue of structures from the encroaching Lake Nasser highlights the scale of this project. Now, hundreds of tourists visit these temples daily. They can easily arrive by road from Aswan or by taking a direct flight from Aswan International Airport to Abu Simbel Airport.
Abu Simbel complex includes two key temples. To begin the larger temple is dedicated to Ra-Horakhty, Ptah and Amun. And prominently displays four colossal statues of Ramesses II on its facade. Following this, the smaller temple honors the goddess Hathor, with a powerful representation of Nefertari, Ramesses’s beloved wife. Now, many visitors explore both temples, drawn to their historical and architectural wonders.
Despite the scale, the monumental challenge of relocating Abu Simbel wasn’t solely its enormous size. More importantly the reconstruction team faced the critical task of preserving the precise solar alignment. Ensuring it continued to coincide with the sun at the exact moment.
The international team also raced against time to complete this project, causing the relocation’s difficulty to escalate. Consequently, UNESCO still considers the relocation of the Abu Simbel temple one of its most ambitious and best-executed projects.
3rd and lastly the temple itself.
Ambu Simbel is considered by many as one of the most beautifully preserved monuments of famous Egyptian pharos (Ramses II & Nefertari).
Ramesses II initiated an extensive building program across Egypt and Nubia during his reign. Furthermore, Nubia proved crucial for the Egyptians because it supplied gold and other valuable trade goods. Consequently, to demonstrate Egypt’s power and influence over the Nubian people, Ramesses II constructed several grand temples in the region.
Specifically, the most notable of these are the rock-cut temples situated near the modern village of Abu Simbel, at the Second Nile Cataract. Furthermore, this location marks the border between Lower and Upper Nubia.
Two impressive temples highlight the site: the Great Temple, dedicated to Ramesses II, and the Small Temple, honoring his chief wife, Queen Nefertari. Indeed, these structures stand as a significant testament to Egypt’s power and Ramesses II’s ambition.
The entrance to the temple is flanked by four massive statues, each towering 20 meters (66 feet) high, portraying Ramesses II seated on a throne adorned with the double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt.
One of the statues, positioned immediately left of the entrance, suffered damage in an earthquake, resulting in the head and torso falling.
Rather than being restored, these fragments were positioned at the statue’s feet in their original spots. Moreover, smaller statues flank Ramesses’s legs, showcasing his chief wife, Nefertari Meritmut; his mother, Mut-Tuy; his first two sons, Amun-her-khepeshef and Ramesses B; and his first six daughters: Bintanath, Baketmut, Nefertari, Meritamen, Nebettawy, and Isetnofret.
The façade behind the colossal statues rises 33 meters (108 feet) high and spans 38 meters (125 feet) wide. It showcases a frieze featuring twenty-two baboons worshipping the rising sun with raised arms, as well as a stele commemorating Ramesses’s marriage to a daughter of King Ḫattušili III, a pivotal event that solidified peace between Egypt and the Hittites.
Above the entrance doorway, bas-relief images show the king paying homage to the falcon-headed Ra Horakhty, whose statue occupies a large niche. Furthermore, Ra holds the hieroglyph for “user” and a feather in his right hand, while the depiction of Maat, the goddess of truth and justice, is in his left hand.
These symbols combine to form a cryptogram representing Ramesses II’s throne name, User-Maat-Re.