The Temples of Abu Simbel in Southern Egypt
The Temples of Abu Simbel are two massive rock temples in Abu Simbel in souther Egypt. These massive temples are regarded amongst the most interesting temples of the Pharaohs. Located close to the southern border, on the western bank of Lake Nasser, the Temples of Abu Simbel date back to the reign of King Ramses II.
The Temples of Abu Simbel were originally carved out of the mountainside during the reign of King Ramses II. The twin rock temples were erected as a lasting monument to the king himself and his queen Nefertari. The temples were also intended to commemorate the king's victory at the Battle of Kadesh and to intimidate his Nubian neighbors.
However, the entire temple complex was relocated on a higher location in 1968. The relocation was done to save the temples from the rising waters of the Nile during the creation of Lake Nasser. It was necessary to avoid the temples being submerged. The relocation of the Temples of Abu Simbel was done thanks to the International Campaign launched by UNESCO.
The two temples were cut into many pieces during the relocation. Then the pieces were reconstructed again on a site 65 meter higher than the original location. The huge relocation work was done between 1964 and 1968 by a multinational team of archeologists, engineers and skilled heavy equipment operators working together under the UNESCO banner.
Abu Simbel is an outstanding archeological site in Egypt. The Temples of Abu Simbel rank high in terms of sheer beauty though they may not be as well known as the Great Pyramids of Giza or the Sphinx. The two temples feature some staggering feats of construction. The temples of Abu Simbel remains one of Egypt's top tourist attractions today.
The Temples of Abu Simbel were originally carved out of the mountainside during the reign of King Ramses II. The twin rock temples were erected as a lasting monument to the king himself and his queen Nefertari. The temples were also intended to commemorate the king's victory at the Battle of Kadesh and to intimidate his Nubian neighbors.
However, the entire temple complex was relocated on a higher location in 1968. The relocation was done to save the temples from the rising waters of the Nile during the creation of Lake Nasser. It was necessary to avoid the temples being submerged. The relocation of the Temples of Abu Simbel was done thanks to the International Campaign launched by UNESCO.
The two temples were cut into many pieces during the relocation. Then the pieces were reconstructed again on a site 65 meter higher than the original location. The huge relocation work was done between 1964 and 1968 by a multinational team of archeologists, engineers and skilled heavy equipment operators working together under the UNESCO banner.
Abu Simbel is an outstanding archeological site in Egypt. The Temples of Abu Simbel rank high in terms of sheer beauty though they may not be as well known as the Great Pyramids of Giza or the Sphinx. The two temples feature some staggering feats of construction. The temples of Abu Simbel remains one of Egypt's top tourist attractions today.
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