Abu Simbel Temple

The Abu Simbel Temple is the grandest of the seven rock-cut temples built by King Ramses II and is often considered the most magnificent of all Egyptian monuments.

Discovered in the 19th century by Giovanni Belzoni (1817), the temple is a masterpiece of New Kingdom architecture, primarily dedicated to the might and legacy of Ramses II.

A Temple of the Gods and the King

Abu Simbel was dedicated to three of Egypt’s supreme deities: Amun of Thebes, Ptah of Memphis, and Ra-Horakhty of Heliopolis, while also serving as a colossal tribute to Ramses II himself.

Guarding the entrance are four colossal seated statues of Ramses II, each over 20 meters (65 feet) high, depicting the pharaoh in different stages of life. These statues look out over Egypt’s southern frontier, symbolizing both divine power and a warning to Egypt’s enemies.

Saving Abu Simbel Temple

With the completion of the High Dam in 1971, the rising waters of Lake Nasser threatened to submerge the temple. Thanks to an international effort led by UNESCO, the entire temple complex was carefully dismantled and relocated to higher ground between 1964 and 1968. This historic rescue ensured the survival of Ramses II’s masterpiece and the nearby smaller temple dedicated to Queen Nefertari.

Inside Abu Simbel

  • At the entrance stands Ra-Horakhty, the falcon-headed sun god, while a frieze of baboons greets the rising sun.

  • The walls of the hypostyle hall are decorated with carvings of the Battle of Kadesh (c. 1275 BC), showing Ramses II leading his army against the Hittites in what is now Turkey.

  • The hall itself is supported by massive Osirid pillars—10 meters (33 ft) high—each carved with images of Ramses II as Osiris, god of the afterlife.

  • Beyond lies a sanctuary with statues of Ramses II, Amun-Ra, Ptah, and Ra-Horakhty, positioned so that twice a year the sun illuminates the inner chamber—a phenomenon that still amazes visitors today.

Traveler’s Tip: Don’t miss the Sun Festival of Abu Simbel (February 22 and October 22), when the morning sun aligns perfectly to light up the inner sanctuary. It’s one of Egypt’s most breathtaking cultural events.