Abu Simble Temple

The temple of Abu Simble is one of the most interesting pharaonic temples near the Southern borders with the Sudan. It is 280 km to the South of Aswan and it consists of two rock-cut temples both date back to the reign of Ramses II (1290-1223 BC). Unfortunately these two unique temples suffered from the raising water of Nasser Lake after while building the high dam, therefore UNESCO helped the country and contributed to save them. The two temples were cut to number of pieces, then they were reconstructed again in a high site 65 M higher than the original location and 200 M back in land to escape the rising water level. The works of this great rescue operation began in June 1964 and finished in September 1968. The first temple was built by king Ramses II and dedicated to god Re-Hor-Akhty, Amon, Ptah, and king Ramses II as a deified person.

Its facade is 35 m. long and 30 m. high. The facade has four seated colossi of the king, each one is 20 M in height and represents the king seated on his throne wearing the double crown, while accompanied by 3 small figures of his wives, daughters and sons flanking his legs. Above the entrance stands the figure of Re-Hor-Akhty. Near the submit of the facade there are number of baboons . Inside the temple there is a hall supported by Osiris shaped pillars, cut in the the rock. The walls of this hall are decorated by battle and offering scenes. At the end of the temple is the sanctuary which contains four statues represents Re-hor-akhty, Amon-Re, Petah and the fourth represents the deified Ramses II. Also there are some side rooms decorated with various scenes.

. The temple of queen Nefertari is about 120 m. from the Temple of Ramsis II, it was built also by Ramses II, dedicated to goddess Hathor and to his wife queen Nefertari, and she was principal and the beloved wife of king Ramses II. It is also a rock-cut temple with a facade of about 28 m long and 12 m high. The facade contains 6 standing colossi, each one is about 11 m. in height

Four of them represent Ramses II and two represent the queen Nefertari and each is accompanied by two smaller figures of their children. The entrance leads to square hall which supported by 6 Hathor-headed pillars decorates with . scenes depicting the king and the queen making offerings to the different deities. At the end of the hall there is a doorway leading to a transverse Vestibule decorated with scene of the king Ramses the II making offering to Re-Hor-Akhty while the queen presenting flowers to Khnum, Satetet and Anket. The Transverse Hall leads to the Sanctuary which contains a niche in the rear wall with a statue of goddess Hathor as a cow protecting Ramses II.

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