The Abu Simbel Temple Egypt is one of the most visited tourist sites on the planet, and one of the most iconic images of ancient Egypt. It is as recognisable as the pyramids of Cairo or the death mask of TutanKhamun.
Lots of vacationers to Egypt would not deem their holiday complete without a trip to this famous temple. This is particularly the situation for those on a Nile sail. Of course the cruise boats disembark at Aswan and the trip to the shrine is somewhat a way south plus it has to be accomplished by means of coach or plane. By coach the journey takes about four hours and has to be done in a large convoy with police presence because of the threat of bandits and political dissidents so near the border with Sudan.
Abu Simbel Temple Egypt is really two temples and both temples had to be moved in the 1960's whilst the Aswan Dam was being constructed. Providentially quite a few Nations found the finances required to reposition the temple to a more elevated position otherwise it would have vanished beneath the waters of Nasser lake to be lost forever.
It was constructed by the Pharaoh Rameses the great and took approximately thirty years to finalize. It is an immense edifice that is carved out of the unyielding rock, and the facade of the major temple consists of four gigantic statues of Rameses the second, which are sixty-seven feet high from top to bottom. Long ago an earthquake damaged one of the statues from the waist up but this does not detract from the magnificence.
You will notice that there are minor statues sandwiched between the legs of the Pharaoh and they are understood to be his Queen, Nefetari, his mother in addition to his son. |In attendance are 2 additional feminine figures that are probably princesses plus one more who may possibly have been a less important royal companion.
In the interior there are 8 additional statues of the Ruler shown as the god Osiris and the walls are ornamented} by way of scenes of the king in battle for the reason that Rameses was for the most part celebrated for his triumphs in battle in addition to his numerous} victory's.
As was customary with the fashion of Egyptian temples the way to the inner holy place is very much engraved and develops all the way through the various halls that become increasingly extra holy until the inner sanctuary is reached. This sanctuary here is distinctive in that there is a little altar as well as 4 more figures. These statues are of Rameses, his queen and his son with the fourth on the left as you are facing them being the god of the underworld.
The subsequent temple was created for the most cherished wife of Rameses the beautiful and well-known Nefetari.
The busiest times at the temples are on the 21st of February and October at sunrise. On these days thousands flock to witness an amazing event as do Television crews and reporters.
When the Pharaoh had the temple constructed he commanded that two times a year, in February along with October the rising sun must shine all the way through the wide open entrance of the temple and shine on three of the four statues inside the sanctuary. The figure on the left, the god of the underworld was not to be illuminated, just the figures of the king, his wife and his son. This is an amazing feat of engineering and a wonder to behold even though you are caught up in a crush. Rameses commanded this feat because his birthday was in February. Modern engineers when moving the dam tried to achieve the same effect on Rameses birthday. But despite all the computer help and top present day mathematical advice they where one day out.
Those Egyptians sure were clever! It is incredible that all those 1000's of years ago it was feasible to put together with such precision such a magnificent temple.
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