Abu Simbel Temples | Temple of Ramses II

• 16 / 5 / 2023

Abu Simbel Temples: The Legacy of Ramses II Emblazoned on Stone

The unique and expansive area of desert in Egypt through which the Nile winds its way into the west bank is home to one of the greatest and most spectacular monuments of antiquity—the Abu Simbel temples. More than 3,000 years have gone by since these extraordinarily mighty temples were carved from the sandstone cliffs. They are evidence of and still boast incredible architecture and testimony to the might and vision of the most popular of Egypt's pharaohs—Ramses II, commonly known as Ramses the Great.

The Legacy of Ramses II: A Pharaoh of Power and Grandeur
Ramses II ruled from 279 to 213 BCE, and he is regarded as one of the greatest pharaohs of ancient Egypt. The accents of his reign were conquest, construction, and religious fervors. This was to eternally memorialize power and divine accomplishments long after perishing in the mortuary world. 

The pharaoh completed this temple during his reign to commemorate his glorious feat at the Battle of Kadesh, the most celebrated battle of his era. The glory of Abu Simbel pictured not only a victory in battle, but the pharaoh himself longed to erect edifices that would defy time's destruction.

The stunning temples of Abu Simbel, as their very structure dictates, were built over 3500 years ago by order of Rameses The Great. The Great Statue of Ramses cuts off Nuba Region cliffs, raising more than twelve hundred sins tribute to the pharaoh, where power, divinity, and love for his queen Nefertari are.

An edifice of celestial beauty

Chronologically positioned in the latter half of the 13th century B.C., the Abu Simbel temples are made up of two temples that are sculpted out of rock in honor of pharaoh Ramses II and the deities he worshipped. The larger temple is dedicated to all the divine gods, with Ramses himself and the gods Amun, Ra-Horakhty, and Ptah, along with many others. The smaller temple is a loving representation of Queen Nefertari, who is depicted as the goddess of love, Hathor.

The temples served not only as sites for religious practices but also as lasting and aggressive statements of the power of Egypt that were meant to impress local Nubians as well as all other people.

The Great Temple of Ramses II

The exterior of the Great Temple is truly stunning; it has four huge seated statues of Ramses II, which are approximately 20 meters each in height. These statues, which are very intricately detailed, portray the ruler as a god-king with immense authority.

The temple has numerous grand halls and corridors connecting various sections, culminating in the innermost sanctuary, where images of Ramses and the gods sit in silence. On two days of the year, February 22 and October 22, the interior of the sanctuary is flooded with sunlight due to a solar alignment, a design that bore the skill of the ancient Egyptians.

The Temple of Nefertari

Smaller, but in no way less dynamic, Nefertari's Temple is a unique structure well worth the attention, as it is very seldom that monuments dedicated to a queen can be seen. Its facade is embellished with six statues—four of Ramses and two of Nefertari—all of them equally large, which speaks volumes of the affection and respect their king had for his wife.

The inner walls of the temple are richly decorated with images where we see Nefertari as goddess Hathor, the representation of women’s love, the music as well as singing mothers, and many other pictures inviting gods. This indicates how high the position of a female ruler was in Egyptian society.

The Rescue and Relocation of Abu Simbel

In the 1960s, the construction of the Aswan High Dam threatened Abu Simbel as the waters of Lake Nassar were set to rise and would submerge the temples. In an incredible example of global collaboration worked out by UNESCO, the temples were taken apart and relocated to a safe place that would not experience flooding.

It was not only the temples that were protected and preserved in the course of this artillery; it was the temples’ orientation to within 0.5 degrees of the expected position of the sun, as these structures were meant to be admired by the coming generations.

Visiting Abu Simbel Today

'Abu Simbel is worth the visit, as it can be accessed by road, air, or boat for history buffs and travelers who would like to explore the wonders of ancient Egypt. There is something intriguing about their location, which offers a sense of relief, a treasure hunt bulging with adventure within the travelers.

Package tours unlock the history, art, and meaning of the place, as well as an early morning visit that allows you to enjoy the sight of the temples looking majestic under the sun’s rise, which is stunning.

Why one should not miss Abu Simbel

The temples of Abu Simbel are not only glamorous constructions; they are gigantic artistic creations with spiritual elevation, achievement, and great stress on divine power. The massive statues and the intricate calculations involved in the celestial positioning of the builders—these temples are an ode to the grandeur of Ramses II and the civilization that was Egypt.

Take a journey through Abu Simbel, a place where history, art, and mythology intersect to produce one of the ancient world’s greatest masterpieces. Let the abiding soul of the temples sink you onto the period of divinity, royalty, and dreams without boundaries in absolute achievements.'