Temples of Abou Simbel

At the edge of the lake Nasser is 2 magnificent temples dedicated one to Horus and Ramsès II, and the other to Hathor and Nefertari. Discovered in 1813 by a Swiss explorer named John Lewis Burckhardt, temples of Abou Simbel are threatened to be gobbled up by waters of the Nile during the construction of the High Dam. They were then completely unsettled then reconstructed 60m higher.

The great temple of Ramses II

Completely dug in the sacred hill of Méha, the big temple measures 33m of height and 38m of wide. its depth is of 65m. The entrance of the temple is supervised by two groups of two monumental statues representatives the sat Pharaoh Ramses II. These statues measure 20m of height.

Dedicated to the god Horus, it was especially set up in the glory of Ramses II. Besides 4 giants representing sat Ramses II, you can find the name of the Pharaoh everywhere on the facade: under his born name (cartridge below the duck and below the sun - to the left), under his name of enthronement (cartridge under the papyrus and the bee, the symbol of the Bass and High Egypt - to the right), but also in the form of rebus. Indeed, on the scene below, you see ramses offering Maât to the god Rê who holds himself the scepter of Ousser (scepter in head of jackal). What gives Ousser Mâat Rê, the name of enthronement of Ramses II.