LOCATION
Abu Simbel lies south of Aswan on the western bank of the Nile, 180 miles south of the First Cataract in what was Nubia.
WHAT IS ABU SIMBEL?
Abu Simbel is a set of two temples. It was constructed for the pharaoh Ramesses II who reigned for 67 years during the 13th century BC in ancient Nubia, where he wished to demonstrate his power and divine nature. The temple was cut out of the sandstone cliffs above the Nile River.
The Great Temple
The Great Temple is dedicated to Ramesses II and a statue of him is seated with three other gods within the innermost part of the rock-cut temple (the sanctuary). The temple's facade is dominated by four enormous seated statues of the Pharaoh (each over 20 metres)
The Small Temple
The Small Temple was probably completed ahead of the Great Temple and is dedicated to Ramesses' favourite wife, Nefertari. At the entrance stand six 10-metre-high (33 feet) rock-cut statues - two of Ramesses and one of Nefertari on either side of the doorway, although one has been damaged since ancient times.
THINGS TO SEE IN ABU SIMBEL
Sunk Relief of the God Hapy
At Abu Simbel, below the seat of one of the colossal statues of Ramesses II, is the sunk relief of god Hapy, the personification of the Nile flood. The figure of Hapy appears twice, tying stems of plants around the hieroglyph for "unite." The extended foot of each Hapy figure rests on the hieroglyph of a lung from which a windpipe projects straight up, forming a "T" at the top. This centralized image of the lung and windpipe flanked by the two figures of Hapy illustrate the Egyptian concern for balance and order. The pictograph of Ramesses II sits directly above the lung and windpipe.
The Temple of Hathor
The Temple of Hathor at Abu Simbel was built by Ramesses II as a mark of respect for both Hathor, the goddess of love & music and his wife Nefertari, the deified queen. The facade, resembling a pylon, has six standing massive (10 meters high) statues. On each side of the entrance, two statues of Ramesses flank the statue of Nefertari dressed as Hathor. These statues in turn, are flanked by smaller statues of their children.
HOW TO REACH
The temples can be reached by road, air or boat. Arrival by boat is achieved by cruising from the Aswan High Dam on a 3-day journey.
FACILITIES
An amazing Sound & Light show is put on for the tourists visiting Abu Simbel in the evenings. This includes projections onto the two temples showing how they once would have looked, in their former splendor. The program is presented in a number of languages with the provision of earpieces.
