Undoubtedly the highlight of any visit to Egypt, the iconic Temple of Abu Simbel, guarded by four gigantic statues is the most impressive legacy of Ramses II, the greatest ruler of ancient Egypt.
An early morning start, takes you on a three hour drive through scorched desert and around Lake Nasser. However, the long drive is well rewarded as you arrive at the spectacular Temples of Abu Simbel. The two temples were cut directly into a mountainside and the entrance to the main temple is marked by four colossal statues of Ramses II. The interior has been intricately decorated with hieroglyphics depicting the great victories of ancient Egypt’s greatest king and at certain times of the year the whole interior of the temple is illuminated by the rising sun. The second Temple of Nefertiti was dedicated to Ramses II favourite wife and is fronted by two statues of the queen and four statues of Ramses himself.
Abu Simbel is undoubtedly an historic treasure, but the site also represents a feat of modern engineering. When the construction of the Aswan High Dam and Lake Nasser threatened the Temples, UNESCO co-ordinated a rescue effort that saw both Temples dismantled and and re-constructed in the exact same relationship to each other and most importantly the sun.
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