Perhaps after the Giza pyramids or, coincident with them, the great temple of Abu Simbel presents the most familiar image of ancient Egypt to the modern traveler and reader. It is an archeological site in southern Egypt on the western bank of Lake Nasser about 290km southwest of Aswan. The two temples built for pharaoh Ramesses II have been attracting visitors since Victorian times. The twin temples were carved out of the mountainside in 13th century, as a lasting monument to pharaoh Ramesses II and his wife Nefertiti, to commemorate his alleged victory at the battle of Kadesh, and to intimidate his Nubian neighbors.
As the longest ruling Pharaoh in Egypt, Ramesses II is the name common in at almost every Egyptian tourists attraction. He ruled for 76 years and his mummy is currently located in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.
The Great temple of Abu Simbel, which took about twenty years to built, was completed around year 24 of the reign of Ramesses II. It was dedicated to the gods Amun, Ra-Horakhty , and Ptah, as well as to the defied Ramesses himself. Abu Simbel temple consists of two temples . The more famous and larger of the two has four colossal statues of Ramesses sitting patiently but sternly along its face. Standing at the feet of the large statues, statues of Ramesses II's wife and several of his children are about life sized. Chances are that you will become awe-struck when you walk around the mountain and stand face to face with Ramesses. Twice a year near the spring and fall equinoxes, the sun shines in through the opening of the Abu Simbel Temple all the way to the very back room called the sanctuary, illuminating statues of Ramesses and Amun-Ra. Ptah remains in shadow as he is the god of the underworld.
The temple of Hathor and Nefertari is also known as the Small Temple. There are six statues guarding over this temple-four of Ramesses and two of Nefertari. What is unique about this Egyptian tourist's attraction is that the king and the queen are of equal height. It's truly surprising because for the only time in Egyptian art , the statue of the king and his consort are equal in size.
Abu Simble Temple is worth seeing, unlike other temples in Egypt, it is in phenomenal shape and it truly awes. This temple is what visitors to Egypt dream of seeing when they go there to see the wonders of Ancient Egypt. The Temple epitomizes all the Egyptians are capable of.
No matters we are at an age of discover and unfolding the mysteries that bounded the world for centuries but to date the pleasure of Egyptian enigma and magnificence surrounds the country. Egypt is one of the most visited countries in the world. The country's flagship carrier offers cheapest flights to Egypt while British Airways also offers some affordable direct cheap airfares to Cairo the capital of Egypt.
