Abu Simbel- Saved To Tell Stories
In the deep south of Egypt, you can find Abu Simbel village, which has a wide reputation around the world as it contains two unique Egyptian Temples. It is about 230 km (140 mi) southwest of Aswan, and the Abu Simbel is located behind Aswan High Dam.
From Aswan, a day trip to Abu Simbel could be made by car, which could take several hours, or by flight, which is just 30 minutes away.
Why Is Abu Simbel Famous?
The reputation of such a village was earned from the twin temples standing there for a long time ago.
The biggest one is dedicated to King Ramses II, one of the most potent and famous Pharaohs of the new kingdom, and the small but still huge is for Ramses II’s wife, “Nefertari,” his favorite wife.
The name Abu Simbel’s definition could be explained as a derived name from an old place called Ipsambul, which had been heard by the Arabs as Abu Simbel, Abu meaning the father, so they had pronounced it as similar as they heard it.
The Great Builder
I was wondering who built Abu Simbel. It is not that hard to answer. King Ramses the Second ordered the engraving of these temples in the rock to honor the gods and to be worshiped himself.
He had selected such a far location from Thebes, his capital, to be a declaration of power and control. As it’s near the Nubian borders, it’s like he wanted to tell the Nubians, who were his enemies, that he’s the one who controls and dominates.
During his reign, Ramses II had a vast empire under his control. He was always expanding and fighting to protect and increase his territory. Still, one of the main reasons for his fame is the peace treaty that was held with the Hittites after years of war to be the first peace treaty ever known.
Although he was a war master and had fought in many wars, Ramses II died peacefully at the age of 90 after more than 66 years on the top of Egypt’s throne. Walking in the Valley of the Kings, you can find Ramses II’s tomb, numbered KV7. He was resting peacefully there after a prosperous reign period, building and leaving his mark on many great Egyptian monuments.
Nefertari Temple Abu Simbel
Ramses II had a lot of wives during his long life, but one was so unique that he built a Temple for her; she was Nefertari. Queen Nefertari was a well-educated woman who could read and write hieroglyphs– sacred writing – which was a rare skill at that time, and she had a diplomatic role for the empire, unlike the other wives.
Abu Simbel History & Dimensions
- The great temple of Abu Simbel was built in approximately 1264 BC. It was built in the 24th year of Pharaoh Ramses II’s reign, and at more than 3000 years old, it took around 20 years to fully construct.
- Abu Simbel temples look like huge twin buildings aside from each other. The bigger one is 30 meters high (98 feet), 35 meters long (115 feet).
- It has four huge statues at its entrance, and the King is sitting on his throne. Each one is 20 meters (65 feet) tall. Beneath these statues, smaller figures depicting his enemies, Nubians, Libyans, and Hittites, are placed beneath his feet to show them crushed by the King.
- This temple was dedicated to Amun, Ptah, and Re-Harakhti, while Nefertiti temple was dedicated to goddess Hathor, also decorated by some colossi across the front facade of the King and his wife.
- When we call it the small temple, we mean that it’s the smallest temple at Abu Simbel, but it’s still huge. It’s 12 meters high (40 feet) and 28 meters long (92 feet).
- No wonder these temples are the most popular among all the Egyptian monuments after the Great Pyramids of Giza.
Why Were The Abu Simbel Temples in Egypt Relocated in Late 1960? And Who Moved It?
Abu Simbel’s original location was 65 lower and 200 closer to the river, but in 1960, Egypt intended to build Aswan High Dam, which would produce a large artificial lake behind it. It almost gets destroyed as it was in this lake area. Abu Simbel’s relocation had taken place between 1964 and 1968. It was carefully cut into pieces and reassembled again in its new location.
These temples were carved into the mountain, so to be relocated in the same condition and shape, two domes should have been built to carry an artificial mountain containing the temples. These domes are considered engineering miracles. They are carrying layers and layers of rocks and rubble, with a reinforced concrete thickness of up to 2.1 m and 60 meters in diameter, to make them look the same as before.
Cutting traces had been professionally hidden so that the temple appeared in its original condition as if nothing had happened. A multinational team of archaeologists and engineers was working together under the authority of UNESCO to save one of the best Egyptian monuments.
Abu Simbel Facts, The Sun Festival
King Ramses considered himself a god, and that’s obvious in how he linked himself to other gods, such as some sculptures depicting him as similar to the Osiris god in the mummy form statues.
Twice a year, a special event takes place at Abu Simbel, Egypt. On October 22 and February 22, early morning rays penetrate the sanctuary to illuminate the sculptures on the back wall—except the one of Ptah, the god of darkness and the underworld.
The King’s statue stays illuminated during all the events to prove his intention to be worshipped in this temple as an everlasting god. It’s believed that this phenomenon happens to celebrate the King’s birthday and coronation day. These two events catch the world’s interest, so many special Abu Simbel tours and day trips are organized every year to attend this phenomenon.
Is It Safe To Visit Abu Simbel? And Best Tips
Abu Simbel village is considered safe and secure. It’s full of facilities, and the people there are so friendly. There are many security patrols around the tourist area. There is no real threat that can ruin your visit except some vendors trying to get you to buy souvenirs.
However, the real challenge is how to get there. It is 3 hours of driving far away from the nearest city, Aswan, and maybe it’s going be a little bit exhausting to go on a day trip driving for some people.
You can still visit it as a day trip by plane through Abu Simbel Airport or spend the night in one of the many Abu Simbel hotels and hostels, which are easy to find and book. Another option is a Lake Nasser cruise, on which you can hop off board, complete your visit, and hop on again to proceed with your journey.
Many Abu Simbel tours are organized daily from Aswan, Luxor, and even Cairo. The distance from Cairo to Abu Simbel is more than 1000 km or at least 12 hours of driving, so it’s highly recommended to take a flight.
What Is The Best Time Of Year To Visit Abu Simbel, Egypt?
You can visit Abu Simbel anytime you want; it’s always available. But for the best experience, it’s recommended to visit it between November and March, to avoid the high temperature, as in summer the temperature could reach some unbearable levels, especially during August.
Abu Simbel, Egypt, is one of the best destinations that’s worth a visit at least once in a lifetime, where you can witness the greatness of Egyptian history through such massive monuments.No wonder it’s considered a UNESCO world heritage.
