Abu Simbel

LOCATION
Abu Simbel is located south of Aswan on the western bank of the Nile, 180 km south of what was Nubia.

What is Abu Simbel?
Abu Simbel is a set of two temples. It was built for the pharaoh Ramses II who reigned for 67 years during the 13th century before Jesus Christ in ancient Nubia, where he wanted to demonstrate its power and divine nature. The temple was cut out of the sandstone cliffs above the river Nile.

The Grand Temple
The Grand Temple is dedicated to Ramses II and a statue of him sitting with three other gods in the intimate part of the rock-cut temple (the shrine). The temple d 'facade is dominated by four giant statues of seated Pharaoh (each over 20 meters)

The small temple
The small temple was probably ahead of the Grand Temple and is dedicated to Ramses 'favorite wife, Nefertari. At the entrance six, stands 10 meters high (33 feet) rock-cut statues - two of Ramses and Nefertari one on each side of the door, but one was damaged with the passage of time.

Things to see Abu Simbel
Sunk relief of God Hapy
At Abu Simbel, the headquarters of one of the colossal statues of Ramses II, is cast God Hapy, the personification of the flooding of the Nile. The figure of Hapy appears twice, tying the stems of plants around the pictogram. The extent of each foot Hapy figure is based on the hieroglyph of a lung from which projects trachea, forming a T at the top. The central image of the trachea and lung flanked by two figures illustrate Hapy Egyptian interests of balance and order. The pictogram of Ramses II is located directly above the trachea and lungs.

The Temple of Hathor
The Temple of Hathor at Abu Simbel was built by Ramesses II as a mark of respect for both Hathor, the goddess of love and music and his wife Nefertari, the queen deified. The facade, which looks like a pylon, has six standing massive (10 meters high) statues. On each side of the entrance, there are two statues of Ramses on the side of the statue of Nefertari dressed as Hathor. These statues are in turn flanked by small statues of their children.

HOW TO REACH
The temples can be reached by road, air or boat. Arriving by boat is produced by Cruise's Aswan High Dam on 3-day trip.

PROPERTY FACILITIES
Incredible but true: Sound and light is placed on tourists to visit Abu Simbel in the evening. This includes projections on the two temples showing how they once would have been in their former splendor. The program is presented in a number of languages available to the earphones.