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Saving the most iconic for last. Abu Simbel is the temple that was rescued piece by piece from being covered by the rising waters generated by the Aswan Dam. An enormous undertaking, it was moved in total & realigned virtually exactly with the sun as it was originally designed.
Another thing which makes it different is that it has only the 2nd Temple dedicated to a Queen. Ramses II dedicated a separate temple to his wife Nefertari.
A 3 hour drive south of Aswan, almost to the Sudan border. Nothing but desert & mountains along the way.
The iconic first look at Abu Simbel. When they discovered Abu Simbel, it was covered in desert sand up to the knees of the statues.
Gives you an idea just how HUGE these statues are. One was damaged in an earthquake & couldn't be repaired.
The statues inside are also of enormous height.
Fabulous carvings from floor to ceiling.
One of the inner chambers was designed to catch the sun on a particular day & shine it on the statue of Ramses, surrounded by the other gods blessing him.
The Temple dedicated to Nefertari. Statues not as tall as Ramses but still amazing height.
Inside her temple, every inch covered in carvings & painted areas.
Colorful detailed carvings offering blessings.
Her temple is one of the first places you see raised carvings.
A look back from Nefertari's temple to Ramses Temple. Amazing engineering.
On the way back, we were still in the midst of a nasty sandstorm & impressive heat. We stopped mid way for a potty & snack break & I got to witness the wavering heat creating mirages in the distance. It DOES look like water.
6 hour journey but worth every minute of it to see this stunning structure.
Another thing which makes it different is that it has only the 2nd Temple dedicated to a Queen. Ramses II dedicated a separate temple to his wife Nefertari.
A 3 hour drive south of Aswan, almost to the Sudan border. Nothing but desert & mountains along the way.
The iconic first look at Abu Simbel. When they discovered Abu Simbel, it was covered in desert sand up to the knees of the statues.
Gives you an idea just how HUGE these statues are. One was damaged in an earthquake & couldn't be repaired.
The statues inside are also of enormous height.
Fabulous carvings from floor to ceiling.
One of the inner chambers was designed to catch the sun on a particular day & shine it on the statue of Ramses, surrounded by the other gods blessing him.
The Temple dedicated to Nefertari. Statues not as tall as Ramses but still amazing height.
Inside her temple, every inch covered in carvings & painted areas.
Colorful detailed carvings offering blessings.
Her temple is one of the first places you see raised carvings.
A look back from Nefertari's temple to Ramses Temple. Amazing engineering.
On the way back, we were still in the midst of a nasty sandstorm & impressive heat. We stopped mid way for a potty & snack break & I got to witness the wavering heat creating mirages in the distance. It DOES look like water.
6 hour journey but worth every minute of it to see this stunning structure.
