10 Interesting Facts About Abu Simbel Temples

By Olaf Tausch, modified by Uploader - File:Kleiner Tempel (Abu Simbel) 02.jpg Source : Wikimedia Commons

It's not just one but two ancient stone temples in Egypt were built to honor King Ramses II around 1200 BC. The temples were named after a young boy, Abu Simbel, who was the first to get the site exhibition in 1813.

 

These temples have been cut from rock cliffs near Aswan, the larger one dedicated to King Ramses II while smaller dedicated to his wife Queen Nefertari.

 

These temples were built to celebrate the victory of King Ramses II against Hittites people during Kadish battle at 1274 BC. The temple construction needed two decades to be completed.

 

The Abu Simbel Temples are the second largest tourist attraction site in Egypt. The first one is the Pyramids of Giza.

 

The temples were found in the village of South Nubia in Egypt. They are around 230 kilometers southwest of Aswan which are close to the Sudan border.

 

They remain an eternal historical monument from Rameses and his beloved wife Queen Nefertari. The first Egyptologist, Giovanni Battista Belzoni, explored it in 1817.

 

The current temple location is not where they initially. Find out more about this and 10 other facts below.

 

1. Construction of the temple began in the 13^th century.

By Pepaserbio - Source : Wikimedia Commons

The construction of the Abu Simbel temples begin at 1274 B.C, they are finished at 1244 B.C.

 

The construction was to celebrate the King's victory over Hittites people. It was also built to impress Egypt's southern neighbors.

 

The entrance of the temples has Ramses II which is 20 meters high. There are also small figures of Ramesses' children, Queen Nefertari, and his mother Muttuy around the statue.

 

The close view of the statues will reveal graffiti reading them. This is proof of the use of Greek alphabet by Egyptians. The bigger temple is the main temple, it belongs to King Rameses II.

 

2. Abu Simbel temple was dedicated to the Sun Gods.

The Great Temple of Ramses II was also dedicated to the Sun Amon-Re, Ptah and Re-Horakhte god.

 

It was represented by 4 Colossi sitting in front of the temple. They carved from stone before the temple was moved due to flooding.

 

The statues at the temple represent Ramses II sitting on the throne while wearing a double and lower Egyptian crown. Interior of this temple is similar to another Egyptian temple.

 

There are many rooms in it such as Hypostyle Hall that height is 18 m and consists of eight large pillars depicting Ramses related to God Osiris.

 

The other is a marble pillared hall that consisting of four pillars decorated with a beautiful sacrifice scene to the gods.

 

3. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

By Zureks Source : Wikimedia Commons

It doesn't need to be said that this is a decent UNESCO Heritage Site. This is known as the Nubia monument and they stretch from Abu Simbel downstream to Philae.

 

The two temples were carved from the cliffs in the 13th century. During the reign of King Rameses II.

 

The temples are the representation of the King Rameses II, Queen Nefertari and their children. Even though he had another wives, only one, Queen Nefertari, has a temple dedicated to her.

 

There are smaller numbers around the statue of King Ramses II, these are statues of their children. The size is smaller because they were less important compared to the king.

 

4. Queen Nafertari was King Ramses II favorite wife.

Of the two Abu Simbel temples, smaller dedicated to Queen Nefertari. She was the King Rameses II main wife and his favorite.

 

This is similar to other temples in Egypt built this way.

 

The Abu Simbel temple was the second in Egypt to dedicate a temple to a queen. The first time, Akhenaten dedicated a temple to the wife of the magnitude, Nefertiti.

 

Queen Nefertari's temple is known as Hathor Temple and 100 Northeast Meters from the main temple. What's more interesting is that the same temple is dedicated to Goddess Hathor.

 

5. The Abu Simbel temple was relocated.

By Olow & quot - Source : Wikimedia Commons

The original location of the two temples was on the banks of the Nile. This was before a high dam was built.

 

Water in the bank rose significantly and pose a danger to ancient temples. The government is also considering building dam in the same location.

 

In 1964, the two Abu Simbel temples were carefully cut in several parts and removed further from the upward nasser Lake.

 

They were moved to a new location of 200 meters from the coastline. The relocation process is managed by UNESCO.

 

It is considered one of the most challenging archaeological processes in history.

 

6. It was forgotten until the 19^th century.

By UNESCO - Source : Wikimedia Commons

After the first Egyptian Pharaoh government, the temples were forgotten and covered with sand because they were not used.

 

The statues were covered in sand to their knees, the statues were more than 10 meters high.

 

They were rediscovered by Jean-Louis Burkkhardt, a Swiss Orientist, in 1813. He saw what was seen was the top decoration of the main temple. During this time, Abu Simbel led the exhibition at the temple location.

 

Then 4 years later, Explorer Italy Giovanni Belzoni was the first European to enter the temple.

 

7. The Abu Simbel temple has a solar alignment.

By kairoinfo4u - Source : Flickr

The construction of these two temples remains a mystery of architecture. Because of the way it is in harmony with the solar system.

 

Light from the sun passes through the temple only twice a year and this is during the planting season and flood. Both of the season represents the birth and coronation of King Rameses II.

 

Another archaeological mystery about this temple is a statue carved for precision so that the god of darkness, remains in total darkness.

 

Archaeologists believe that the Egyptian architect is specific about the shaft of the temple. They built them to let the sun light up the statues on the back wall except for the god of darkness.

 

During the relocation of the temple in 1964, UNESCO ensured that important characteristics were exactly the same as the initial settings.

 

8. Cameras are not allowed in temple.

Carving and artwork in the temple have seen better days. They were not only extraordinary but still when they returned in the 13th century.

 

There are hand-carved pillars, wall paintings, carvings, and statues among other artifacts. To preserve it for future generations, the Authority of the Egyptian Museum does not allow the camera there.

 

9. It took two decades to build the great temple.

By William Henry Goodyear, Joseph Hawkes and John McKecknie - Source : Wikimedia Commons

The big temple in Abu Simbel takes around twenty years to be built. It was assigned by King Ramesses II.

 

The temple was subsequently dedicated to God Amun, Ra-Horakhty, and Ptah, as well as King Ramesses II alone.

 

This is one of the most decorated and most beautiful qualities assigned to the reign of Ramesses II, and in Egypt.

 

10. Abu Simbel temple has its own airport.

This is one of the most visited ancient sites in Egypt so that it has its own airport. This is to allow the transition of millions of tourists smoothly to the site.

 

There is also a hotel close to the temple called Queen Nefertari. The convenient location allows tourists to access archeological sites easily because they are within walking distance.