Small Temple of Abu Simbel, Egyptian temple in Abu Simbel, Egypt
The Small Temple of Abu Simbel is an Egyptian temple carved into the mountainside with six statues at its entrance. These colossal figures depict Ramesses II and his wife Nefertari and define the appearance of this site.
The temple was built during the reign of Ramesses II around 1264 BCE and carved into the mountain to honor Queen Nefertari and the goddess Hathor. The structure reflects the building projects of this pharaoh, who commissioned several temples in this region.
The temple shows the uncommon depiction of the queen at the same size as the pharaoh, emphasizing her elevated standing in Egyptian society. This was a statement that gave Nefertari a rare position of honor for women of that era.
The temple is located at a spot that is easily reached on foot and can be visited at various times of day. It is wise to bring plenty of water and watch for sun protection, as the area is very open and hot.
In the 1960s, the entire structure was relocated about 65 meters higher to save it from flooding caused by the Aswan Dam. This rescue project was an unprecedented engineering feat that took several years to complete.
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