Carved into a sandstone cliff on the west bank of the Nile, the monumental temple complex of Abu Simbel is a symbol of absolute power, deep religious devotion, and the incredible engineering mastery of the ancient Egyptians. It is the story of Pharaoh Ramses II, who challenged time itself, and of humanity, which saved this wonder from destruction and oblivion.
Era and Purpose of Construction: Ramses II the Great
Construction began around 1264 BC and lasted about 20 years. This was the era of Ramses II (1279–1213 BC) — one of the most powerful pharaohs of Egypt. His 67-year reign was a period of large-scale construction across Egypt (Karnak, Luxor, the Ramesseum). Abu Simbel was his most ambitious and symbolic project on the southern border of the state.
The goals of construction were multifaceted:
• Political Propaganda: To assert Ramses II`s authority in distant Nubia, a region rich in gold and other resources. The temple was meant to instill awe and loyalty in the local tribes.
• Religious Significance: To link the pharaoh with the supreme gods, especially Amun-Ra, and deify him during his lifetime.
• Personal Cult: The glorification of his own persona and that of his great wife, Nefertari. It was an act of narcissism, designed for eternity.
• Astronomical Marvel: A demonstration of the Egyptians` profound knowledge of astronomy and engineering through the unique illumination of the statues.
Structure and Exterior: Grandeur in Detail
The complex consists of two temples: the Great Temple (of Ramses II) and the Small Temple (of Queen Nefertari).
1. The Great Temple of Ramses II
Facade: Its dominant feature is four colossal seated statues of the pharaoh, each about 20 meters high. They depict Ramses II wearing the double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt. At the pharaoh`s feet are smaller statues of family members: his mother, wife Nefertari, and children. Interestingly, all the faces, despite damage to one statue (from an earthquake in ancient times), bear a portrait likeness and a calm, confident expression. Above the entrance, in a niche, is a statue of the god Ra-Horakhty.
Hypostyle Hall (Hall of Majesty): Upon entering, you step into the first hall with eight massive pillars in the form of Osirid statues of Ramses II (with arms crossed on the chest, holding symbols of power). The walls are covered in bas-reliefs glorifying the pharaoh`s military campaigns, particularly the Battle of Kadesh (presented as his personal victory).
Second Hypostyle Hall: Four columns adorned with sacred scenes. Here, Ramses and Nefertari are shown before the gods.
Sanctuary: The innermost part of the temple, where a ray of sun penetrates twice a year. Here sit four statues: Ptah (god of the underworld and darkness), Amun-Ra (supreme god of Thebes), the deified Ramses II, and Ra-Horakhty (the sun god). The placement of these statues is not accidental.
2. The Small Temple of Hathor and Nefertari
Located about 100 meters to the north. It is unique because it is one of the rare cases in Egyptian history where a temple was dedicated not only to a goddess but also to a deified queen during her lifetime, whose statues are equal in size to those of the pharaoh.
The facade is adorned with six 10-meter-high statues emerging from the rock: two figures of Ramses and two of Nefertari in the guise of the goddess Hathor, wearing identical headdresses with a sun disk and horns. An inscription reads: "Ramses, strong in truth, favorite of Amun, created this divine dwelling for his beloved wife Nefertari."
Gods and Religious Meaning
The temple is dedicated to the cult of three major state gods: Amun-Ra (Thebes), Ra-Horakhty (Heliopolis), and Ptah (Memphis). However, the key figure is Ramses II himself, equated with them. Thus, the temple symbolized the unity of Egypt under the rule of the pharaoh-god.
Mysteries and Legends: The Solar Miracle
The most amazing mystery of Abu Simbel is its precise astronomical calculation. Twice a year, on February 22 (Ramses` birthday) and October 22 (his coronation day), a ray of the rising sun travels 60 meters from the entrance, crosses all the halls, and for 6 minutes illuminates three of the four statues in the sanctuary: Amun-Ra, Ramses II, and Ra-Horakhty. The face of the god Ptah, associated with the realm of the dead, always remains in shadow.
This phenomenon likely symbolized the pharaoh`s connection with the solar deity and replenished his divine power. After the temple`s relocation, due to a shift in its axis, the dates shifted by one day (February 21 and October 21), which only emphasizes the incredible accuracy of the ancient builders.
Legend of the "Discovery": Europeans could not find the temple for a long time, as it was almost completely buried in sand. Legend has it that in 1813, the Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt stumbled upon the upper part of the facade, and a young guide named Abu Simbel (after whom the complex is named) showed him the entrance by digging away the sand. The temple was fully cleared only by 1909.
The UNESCO Rescue Operation
Original Location: The temple was carved into the rock of Mount Ibshek right on the bank of the Nile, about 280 km south of Aswan.
The Threat: In the 1960s, the construction of the High Aswan Dam led to the creation of a huge reservoir (Lake Nasser), which would have completely flooded Abu Simbel and other Nubian monuments.
The Rescue Operation (1964-1968): Under the auspices of UNESCO, one of the most complex and expensive engineering operations in archaeological history was carried out. The temple was carefully sawn into 1036 blocks weighing from 10 to 40 tons each. The entire interior rock was replaced with a reinforced concrete dome-shell, and an artificial hill was piled on top to recreate the original landscape. The temple was reassembled 65 meters higher and 200 meters further from the river. The margin of error during reassembly was less than 5 mm! It was a triumph of international cooperation.
What`s Interesting for Tourists Today
• Scale: Standing face-to-face with the 20-meter colossi, it`s impossible not to feel awe. Their size is staggering even in photographs.
• The Solar Spectacle: Many tours are organized to witness the unique illumination of the sanctuary in February or October. It`s an unforgettable sight.
• Interiors: The stunning preservation of the colorful bas-reliefs inside. Vibrant blue, yellow, and red paints have partially survived, giving an idea of how the temple once shone.
• The Story of Salvation: Documentary films about the relocation are often shown near the temple. Understanding this feat makes the visit even more meaningful.
• Lake Nasser: The contrast between the ancient monument and the vast artificial lake creates a surreal landscape.
• Sound and Light Show in the Evenings: A captivating performance that tells the story of the pharaoh and the temple in different languages.
• Visiting Tip: It`s best to arrive at dawn. The morning sun softly illuminates the facade, making the faces of the colossi especially expressive, and the temperature at this time is most comfortable for exploration.
Abu Simbel is one of the greatest monuments of Ancient Egypt, alongside the Pyramids of Giza. It is a monument to the Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses II, who wanted to be remembered forever. He built this giant temple on the very edge of his empire, in Nubia, so that everyone would see his power. We must also not forget the people of the 20th century who did not let this wonder disappear. When it became clear that the new Aswan Dam would flood the temple, the whole world united. Scientists and engineers from different countries devised an incredible plan to save Abu Simbel.
