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Abu Simbel Temples

✨ The Colossi of the Nile

The temples of Abu Simbel were built during the reign of Ramesses II, in the 13th century BCE, in ancient Nubia, south of Egypt. Cut directly into sandstone cliffs near the Nile, the site consists of two temples. The larger one is dedicated mainly to Ramesses II and the gods Amun, Ra-Horakhty, and Ptah. Its façade is dominated by four colossal seated statues of the pharaoh, each about 20 metres high.

Inside, decorated halls show the king, the gods, and scenes of military victories, including the famous Battle of Kadesh. The smaller temple was dedicated to the goddess Hathor and Queen Nefertari, the principal wife of Ramesses II. Its façade features six standing statues, four representing the king and two representing the queen.

In the 20th century, Abu Simbel was threatened by the construction of the Aswan High Dam, which caused the waters of Lake Nasser to rise. Between 1964 and 1968, an international project supported by UNESCO saved the temples. They were carefully cut into large blocks, then rebuilt about 65 metres higher and roughly 200 metres farther inland.

An artificial mountain was constructed around them to preserve their appearance and protect them from the rising waters. The rescue became a major example of international cooperation to protect cultural heritage. Today, Abu Simbel forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the "Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae."

💡 Did you know?

Ancient Egyptian engineers were true geniuses of astronomy. They calculated the temple's location so precisely that twice a year (February 22 and October 22), the sun's rays travel through the entire temple to light up the divine statues at the very back of the sanctuary. These dates are said to correspond to the anniversary of Ramesses II's coronation and birth!

To save the temples from the rising waters of the Aswan Dam, a 'stone surgery' had to be performed. Specialized sawyers cut the monument into blocks weighing up to 30 tons each! The temples were then reassembled exactly as before, but on a concrete structure hidden inside an artificial mountain. It is the world's largest puzzle!

Ramesses II loved himself a lot, but he also loved his wife, Nefertari, very much. He had a second, slightly smaller temple built especially for her. On the facade, Nefertari's statues are as large as those of Ramesses, which was very rare at the time and showed the great respect he had for her.