The Abu Simbel temples, located in southern Egypt near the border with Sudan, are among the most iconic monuments of ancient Egypt. Carved into a sandstone cliff during the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses II (circa 13th century BCE), these temples were intended to showcase the power and divinity of the pharaoh and to honor the gods. The larger of the two temples is dedicated to Ramesses II himself and the gods Ra-Horakhty, Ptah, and Amun, while the smaller temple honors his favorite wife, Queen Nefertari, and the goddess Hathor.

The Great Temple features four colossal seated statues of Ramesses II, each approximately 20 meters tall, flanking its entrance. Inside, the temple contains a series of halls and chambers adorned with intricate carvings and inscriptions depicting the pharaoh’s military victories, particularly the Battle of Kadesh. A remarkable feature is the solar alignment phenomenon, where twice a year (around February 22 and October 22), sunlight penetrates the temple to illuminate the inner sanctuary and the statues of the gods, leaving the statue of Ptah, associated with the underworld, in shadow.

The smaller temple, though less imposing, is equally significant. It features six statues on its facade, four of Ramesses and two of Nefertari, signifying the queen’s elevated status. Inside, the walls are adorned with reliefs showing the queen alongside the pharaoh in religious rituals.

In the 1960s, the temples faced submersion due to the construction of the Aswan High Dam. In a massive UNESCO-led rescue operation, the temples were meticulously cut into blocks and relocated to a higher site.