Journey In A Belly Of Mountain In The Attendance Of The Pharaonic Majesty Where The Sun Walks As A Visitor Invited by Ramses II to Abu Simbel Temples.
It seems that a glorious pharaonic history appears from far. That is what you will surely say once arriving at the magic of Hathor land on your road to Abu Simbel Temples. A wow view comes from far as four gigantic, colossal statues advancing a huge mountain. You will hurry once seeing this scene upcoming close to those giants. While sounds coming from each side. Welcome to Ramses II Temple.
Abu Simbel Temples by cattan2011
These sounds whisper in your ears narrate everyone’s astonishment at how Ramses II had told the sun to come as a visitor 2 particular times a year, and how the sun is already answering his call to this day! As the sun comes with its shiny light and illuminates Ramses II statues, celebrating the great king inside the Holy of the Holiest of Abu Simbel Temples.
The amazement still fills your steps, asking: Is what you see from afar real?
Is this magnificent shape a temple cut into a sandstone cliff! As you get closer, the scene will appear to you clear slowly. You will live the same suspense that anyone who comes to this pharaonic holy area feels. You can discover that already this mountain embraces imaginatively a gateway beside these statues. It leads you to the heart of the hill. There the majesty of the pharaohs welcomes you, amid magnificent monuments and enchanting decorations. You will be amidst secrets from history.
Abu Simbel Temples by cattan2011
That will be your first step in the charm of this sacred area of Hathor to Abu Simbel Temples.
Holy Land Even Before Establishing Abu Simbel Temples!
It is a holy area to the ancient Egyptian god, Hathor even before erecting Abu Simbel Temples. And that was why Ramses II had chosen this spot to establish his majestic temples with their unique architectural design. That assisted Ramses II in recognizing to be a god among other gods. His choice of an already sacred locale would have strengthened this impression among the people.
Abu Simbel Temples by Dennis Heller
But, what about the sun story!
The largest one of Abu Simbel Temples was designed with high accuracy, in a way allowing the sun’s rays to enter and walk in the temple road panoramic. It passes the main hall to illuminate the statues in the deepest part of the temple. That is the Holy of the Holiest. Inside it, four deities sit, Amun, Ra, Horakhi Ptah, and Rameses II as an idol. This charming phenomenon comes twice a year.
However, the sun’s rays shine on just three statues.
Abu Simbel Temples by Gary Lee Todd, Ph.D.
As if King Ramses II had taken from the sun a date and promised to visit his statue to celebrate with him on February 22, the anniversary of his accession to the throne, and on his birthday on October 22.
But the agreement of Ramses II with the sun is to light three of the four statues in the sanctuary. It is a true miracle. The sun perpendicularly to the statue of Ramses II to show all its details while he sits highly on his throne. As well as it lights the figure of the god Amun, (the king of the gods), and the god Ra (the god sun). While the fourth statue has to remain in darkness as it represents Ptah, the god of darkness.
Abu Simbel Temples by cattan2011
And while you are in your curious about what the pharaohs had left for humanity thousands of years ago in this rock cliff.
A Surprise Will Be Waiting for You Inside This Stunning Façade!
You will be in front of the incredible view of the four huge colossi of King Ramses II seated flanking the entrance representing him on his throne.
Abu Simbel Temples by thatyoungman
Beneath these gigantic figures, there are smaller statues, still larger than life-sized, representing Ramesses’ conquered enemies, the Nubians, Libyans, and Hittites, which will increase your sense more, to enter this gateway that adorned with massive statues each one 65 feet (20 meters) tall.
At this time, you will be on your way to the Great Temple, to wander with charming in an area of 98 feet (30 meters) high and 115 feet (35 meters) while the great history runs towards you everywhere. A corridor fills with great statues that were set in order to spread terror into the hearts of the enemies, and while you walk along with them, the inscriptions of Ramesses’ victory over the Hittites at the Battle of Kadesh in 1274 BCE will surround you pushing you into each detail of the battle, till arriving at the interior of the temple, which was pecked into the rock at 48 meters depth.
Abu Simbel Temples by Gary Lee Todd, Ph.D.
King Ramses Battles
The victories and conquests of King Ramses II of the Nineteenth Dynasty, including the Battle of Kadesh, will continue with you during your march inside the great temple of Abu Simbel Temples and engravings representing Ramesses and Nefertari paying givings to the gods; furthermore, statues of Ramses II and his family members, and various gods in addition to symbols of power will be along your road welcoming you to three consecutive halls dedicated to Ramses II and important members of his family extending 185 feet (56 meters) into the cliff.
Abu Simbel Temples by Gary Lee Todd, Ph.D.
The last hall is the sanctum sanctorum, which remains in darkness each day except the exact two days a year. At this time, you will realize why Abu Simbel Temples is a miracle in astronomy, engineering, and architecture.
After your suspense journey inside the great temple of Abu Simbel Temples that was dedicated to King Ramses II, the sun gods Amon-Re, and Re-Horakhte, It will be time for another magic in the small temple.
The Magic of the Small Temple
When it called the small temple, you may believe that it is small-sized, but the truth is that you will find your feet walking across a large area to see your eyes at every inch the greatness of the pharaohs, entering you into the magic of inscriptions and giant statues, and here you will find how love was in the time of the Pharaohs.
Abu Simbel Temples by elainne_dickinson
Just complete your steps inside this magic to the north of the main temple, where you will be in front of the great smaller one of Abu Simbel Temples, dedicated to Nefertari. It was the favorite wife of King Ramses II. While Lake Nasser sends you a fresh breeze, 35-foot (10.5-metre) statues of the king and queen will salute you to another journey inside the splendor of the pharaohs.
Romantically View These Monuments!
Go along the charm of the great statues and vibrant decorations tribute to Queen Nefertari. From the first glance, and even before you enter the temple, you will six giant statues decorate
find its façade is decorated with six giant statues
Abu Simbel Temples by cattan2011
of equal size representing the king and the queen (four statues of the king and two of the queen), in a clear demonstration of the high status that the queen enjoyed with her husband. That was not common, as the statue of the king is usually carved in a larger size, and his family is of a smaller size. Then, to go into majestic temple finding amid its arms the first word of love documented in human history, which King Ramses II said to his wife Nefertari (For her the sun rises).
The Message that Ramses II Wanted to Convey to You Throughout the Years of History About His Wife!
You will realize how the prestige of Nefertari for King Ramses II more when knowing that; it is the second time in ancient Egyptian history that a ruler dedicated a temple to his wife, as the first time was when king Akhenaton, 1353-1336 BCE, dedicated a temple to his queen Nefertiti.
Abu Simbel Temples by Gary Lee Todd, Ph.D.
The inner walls of this temple have been adorned with a group of vibrant and charming scenes. These alluring inscriptions depict the queen worshiping various deities, either with the king or alone. You will amaze by the details that appear in each description.
So, When Were The Abu Simbel Temples Built & Why
The great King Ramses II aimed to glorify his strength. So, he decided to establish magnificent buildings throughout Egypt and Nubia, over which Egypt took control. Nubia was a vital spot to the pharaohs. It was a source of gold and many other valuable commercial goods.
Therefore, Ramses II built many major temples. In order to show how the majesty of the ancient Egyptian civilization in the land of Nubia and dazzle the Nubians with the power of Egypt, which would persuade them to Egyptianization.
Abu Simbel Temples by Gary Lee Todd, Ph.D.
Ramses II, who ruled Egypt within a period (1279 – 1213 BC) for 67 years, aim in building Abu Simbel Temples was to establish these huge statues so as to spread terror inside the hearts of the enemies. That caused in creating a real magnificent that has not ceased to amaze the visitors by virtue of its imposing size and the uniqueness of its architecture. These temples become the 2nd most attractive historic landmark after the Giza Pyramids among the vast of the other remarkable, incredible historical monument.
The ancient Egyptians had carved these great temples for around 20 years. It was in the 13th century BC, to be the first temple to Ramses II. While you can find far away from Ramses II temple about 100 m, the 2nd temple of Nefertari.
Now, the magic of these temples has become more glory. After building the High Dam, Nasser Lake comes to decorate these temples and add more beauty to its majestic view. So, in front of the largest artificial lake globally, you will find one of the most majestic artifacts of one of the greatest civilizations in humanity. But how has Lake Nasser arrived at Abu Simbel temples!
From When Abu Simbel Temples Overlooks The Lake Nasser Shore & The Story Behind Appearance a Boy Who Called Abu Simbel
Abu Simbel Temples by D-Stanley
In 1813 Swiss explorer John Lewis Burckhardt had discovered Abu Simbel Temples. At that time a deep layer of sand had covered the temples completely. As if nature had kept an architectural treasure to preserve it for us. And then it surprised us with a gift from history that reflects how magnificence was this history. 1909 was the year of removing the last grain of sand on this architecture and astronomical miracle. Actually, it was the date of rebirthing this unique historical site.
According to a widespread narration that a boy named Abu Simbel indicated Burckhardt about this majestic site to
Abu Simbel Temples by Ndecam
remove the veil of nature on this greatness left by one of the great ancient kings of Egypt; from there, Burckhardt called these temples, Abu Simbel Temples complex.
Abu Simbel Temples gained the world’s attention more and more. That happened due to the miracle that took place and the terrible efforts made in the process of moving the temple from its place, preserving its elegance and appearance.
The Story Of A Risk Threatened Abu Simbel Temples to remain
In 1968, the site of Abu Simbel Temples threatened to drown due to the high water level of the Nile. That happened after the construction of the High Dam. Hence the idea of moving it, but how is that while it is a temple in a mountain belly! From here came the challenge.
Experts cut the mountain slope that contained the temples into many transferable blocks to around 1142 pieces. They reassembled them on a safer site. The rebuilding of the temples was in the same form. Also, they are within the same sacred area of Hathor. So, Abu Simbel Temples has remained as it is, dazzling all who approach them.
The mountain still encircles the temples in a majestic form. As well as the god Hathor still protected them according to the beliefs of the Pharaohs; however, now they decorate the shores of Lake Nasser.
