Featuring larger-than-life figures quintessential of ancient Egypt, the two temples of Abu Simbel are a must for any traveler wanting a look at the pristine nature of this elegant culture's finest relics.
Built in 1257 B.C. by Ramesses II, Abu Simbel is at once an architectural masterpiece and a work of art. Carved from solid sandstone cliffs found along the banks of the west Nile, the temples are dedicated to the sun gods Amon-Re and Re-Horakhte. Off the beaten track of most ancient Egypt travelers' plans, the giant temple remained largely forgotten until it was rediscovered in 1813. Sitting about 170 miles from Aswan, the trip to this mysterious spot is worth the effort to reach it.
Travelers will enter the sacred temples between four gigantic statues of Ramesses, walking up a flight of steps between the two sets of statues, standing more than 65 feet tall. Hieroglyphics several feet large decorate the exterior, partially encased in a diagonally-cascading sand dune. Interior designs are even more breathtaking, however. Also cut from rock, the temples consist of a number of halls and rooms that stretch 185 feet into the man-made cave. The first, the great hall, is 58 feet deep, flanked by two rows of 30-foot-tall Osiris statues of Ramesses.
Ancient giants in Abu Simbel
Posted on Tuesday, Feb. 28th, 2012
