The Temple Inside [Photo Pinterest]Abu Simbel (also Abu Simbal, Arabic : أبو سنبل ) is in a village in the Egyptian part of Nubia, about 240 kilometers southwest of Aswan and near the border with Sudan . As of 2012, it has about 2600 inhabitants. It is best known as the site of the Abu Simbel Temple , which were built by King Ramses II between (1279–1213)

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Changing location :

In the 1960's the Egypt planned to build the Aswan High Dam on the Nile which would have submerged the temple (and also surrounding structures such as the Temple of "Philae" about which we will write an article if people are interested). Between 1964 and 1968 a massive undertaking was carried out in which both temples were dismantled and moved 213 feet (65 metres) up onto the plateau of the cliffs they once sat below and re-built 690 feet (210 metres) to the north-west of their original location. This initiative was spearheaded by UNESCO, with a multi-national team of archaeologists, at a cost of over 40 million US dollars.  Great care was taken to orient both temples in exactly the same direction as before and a man-made mountain was erected to give the impression of the temples cut into the rock cliff.

Archaeological Mystery :

a phenomenon that occurs twice a every year , marking key dates in the pharaoh’s life. The first alignment in 2019 took place on February 22, marking his coronation, and the second on October 22, marking his birthday.

in 2019 General Director of Antiquities in Aswan and Nouba Abdel Moneam Saed said that 4,500 tourists celebrated the alignment, which started at 5:49 am and continued for 20 minutes.

the purpose of the temple :

1 -The temple was dedicated to a number of ancient Egyptian gods such as Ra-Horakhty, Ptah, and Amon.

What is found on Abu Simbel comples :

Abu Simble complex mainly contains two main temples:

The Grand Temple that stands 30 meters high and 35 meters long featurting four seated colossi at the entrance of King Ramses II on his throne.

It also contains a number of paths and rooms. Scripts could be found written on the walls about Ramses’ II military victories, his personal life alongside portrayals of Ancient Egyptian gods.

The Small Temple was constructed for the Egyptian Queen Nefertari, Ramses II most favorite wife.

Located 150 meters far away from the Grand Temple, the Small Temple has a front featuring four great seated colossi, two of Ramses II and two of Nefertari.

The walls of this temple display images of Ramses and Nefertari while they’re praying to the gods.