The Temples of Abu Simbel
Abu Simbel Temples redefines the definition of words like Glory. It was miraculously built by Ramses II (1279–1213 BC) during Egypt’s New Kingdom era to immortalize his legacy, honor his wife Nefertari, and protect his legacy from being forgotten. He started building it in the year 1264 BC until 1244 BC. On the western bank of the Nile River west of Aswan, it was carved into the mountain to show the strength and culture of Egypt to the neighbors to the south or anyone who wanted to attack the borders of Egypt.
The Construction of the Temple of Abu Simbel
The temple consists of two temples; the first temple is the great temple of Pharaoh Ramses the Great for the honor of gods like Amun, Ptah, and Ra-Hor-Akhty and as the commemoration of his victory in the battle of Kadesh in the year 1274 before Christ. The temple is 30 meters high and 35 meters long; it contains four colossal statues in the sitting position on the façade representing the pharaoh Ramses the second; they are 20 meters high. Inside the temple, three consecutive rooms extend 56 meters to the end of the temple where there are four statues; a statue for each god, decorated with figures of Ramses the second, images and scenes with the gods and his victory in the battle of Kadesh.
Abu Simbel Temple Sun Festival
The temple enjoys extensive media attention during the sun festival held on February 22 and October each year, when the sun’s rays enter the temple to illuminate the temple sanctuary and the faces of the gods directly to the northeast. At a distance of 100 meters is the temple of Nefertari, which was dedicated to the goddess Hathor (goddess of love, joy, and beauty), which contains two statues measuring 10.5 meters high for Nefertari and six figures for her husband, King Ramses.
Saving of the Temples of Abu Simbel
In the 60s of the last century, the entire complex was in danger of submerging under the water of Lake Naser, like the Temple of Philae, due to the construction of the Aswan High Dam. Still, thanks to UNESCO, the complex was relocated to a new location, using a brilliant plan for one of the archeological engineering challenges in history.
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