Two temples that defied history
The Abu Simbel temples, 250 km south of Aswan near the Sudanese border, are the greatest achievement of Ramses II (1279–1213 BCE). The Great Temple is dedicated to the pharaoh himself, with four 20-metre-high seated statues of him on the façade. The Small Temple is dedicated to his favourite wife Nefertari and the goddess of love Hathor. Both were carved into solid rock over 20 years.
The greatest rescue in history
In 1959 Egypt began building the Aswan High Dam — which would submerge Abu Simbel under 60 metres of water. UNESCO rescued the temples in 1964–1968 by cutting them into 1 042 pieces (each weighing 20–30 tonnes), moving them 65 metres up and 200 metres back, and reassembling them precisely on a new hill built by the agency. The most complex archaeological preservation feat in history.
The sun phenomenon (solar alignment)
Twice a year — 22 February and 22 October — the sun's rays at dawn pass directly through the main gate of the Great Temple and illuminate three of the four statues in the inner sanctuary: Ramses, Ra-Horakhty, Amun-Ra. The fourth statue, Ptah (god of darkness), remains in shadow. This phenomenon was engineered by Egyptian architects 3 200 years ago. After the temple was moved, the phenomenon happens one day after the original date.
How to visit
From Aswan (280 km): (a) domestic flight 45 minutes, 100 USD one way, limited flights; (b) military-escorted vehicle convoy at 4 am daily, 5 hours, from 40 USD per person; (c) Nile river cruise from Aswan on Lake Nasser (Steigenberger MS Omar El Khayyam, 4 nights) — the most luxurious way but the most expensive. Arrival is essential in the morning because the temple receives natural sunlight on the coloured reliefs. Ticket 800 EGP.
Other Nubian temples
Alongside Abu Simbel, many temples were moved in the same UNESCO operation: Philae Temple, Kalabsha Temple, Wadi es-Sebua Temple. All are now on Lake Nasser, accessible only by Nile cruises. The Nubian Museum in Aswan explains the entire history.