One of Egypt’s most well-known are AbuSimbel temples, which is situated south of Aswan on the banks of Lake Nasser. These enormous rock-hewn temples, together with Nubia, symbolize the southern extremity of the Egyptian Empire, which was built by the great Pharaoh Ramesses II (also known as the Temple of Ramesses II), during the height of the New Kingdom’s dominion.
Their design was intended to demonstrate to onlookers the power of the Egyptian pharaohs. Some of the best carvings from the prehistoric pharaonic period can be found in these temples. The larger entrance is guarded by four statues.
Revisiting the Temples of AbuSimbel
After some time away from civilization, the Abusimbel Temples were found in 1813 by Swiss explorer John Louis Burckhardt. The enormous monument that formerly stood in front of the temple’s entryway has been abandoned and is now mostly covered in sand from the desert.
These two temples of his have gained prominence and turned into one of his most well-known sites in southern Egypt once the sand was eventually removed in 1909.
Moving the Temples of AbuSimbel
The Abu Simbel temples were at risk from the increasing Nile floods due to the Aswan High Dam’s expansion. To prevent the ancient temple from being flooded by the Nile, the temple was relocated from Abu Simbel. In 1968, the Abu Simbel Temple was disassembled and relocated from its original location to a 64-meter-high, 180-meter-west desert plateau. The task of moving the temple was difficult. It was not a career. Weighing between 3 and 20 tonnes, the temple was taken apart and put back together in its original location. It took more than five years to finish.
What’s the appearance of the AbuSimbel Temple?
Two temples can be found. The first is the Great Temple, which served as Ramesses II’s personal temple. His wife Queen Nefertari is honored at his second temple, dubbed the Small Temple.
Great temple
The construction of the AbuSimbel Great Temple lasted roughly 20 years. This temple, often referred to as the Temple of Ramses His II, honours the gods Amun, Lahorakti, Ptah, and the great lord Ramses. The largest and most grandiose of the temples completed under Ramesses II, it is regarded as one of his best structures in Egypt.
Ramses II is depicted sitting on a throne in four of his enormous 20 m tall statues that stand in front of the Great Temple entrance. Hieroglyphic decorations on the exterior of the main temple honour Ramesses II’s legendary victory in the Battle of Kadesh. There are various halls honouring significant members of Ramesses and his family scattered across the large temple. Darkness can be found in the Holy of Holies’ final room all times except his two days in the year. No chance of that. A deep understanding of astronomy, mathematics, architecture and science is required.
little temple
The goddess is revered in the lesser temple, which is Hathor’s second temple. It was created in memory of Ramses’ favourite wife, Nefertari, and was much smaller than its predecessor. Queens and pharaohs appear to have equivalent rights. The Temple of Nefertari and the Temple of Hathor have various names.
Two enormous statues of her, separated by a huge gate, are ornamented on the temple’s granite walls.
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