Abu Simbel Sun Festival

Finally! Unveiling the Full Facts About Abu Simbel Temple

At the farthest point in the south of Egypt, a jewel that remained hidden for centuries and – by far- one of the best places to visit in Egypt and attend the glorious solar alignment phenomenon.

That jewel we’ll discuss all of its facts in the following few lines is: Abu Simbel Temple. 

The Importance of Abu Simbel Temple 

As the importance of something is derived from the importance of its creator, Abu Simbel Temple is such an important attraction as it embodies the great deed of Ramses II, thus, it is:

1. A symbol of the power of Ramses II who built it to commemorate his victory at the Battle of Kadesh and showcase Egypt’s strength, with four massive statues of the pharaoh at the entrance were designed to impress and intimidate visitors, reinforcing his rule.

2. A religious masterpiece, as it is dedicated to three gods: Amun, Ra-Horakhty, and Ptah. Ramses II even deified himself and presented the temple as a place of worship and divine recognition. 

Thus, he designed it such that the sunlight illuminates the inner sanctuary twice a year, highlighting its spiritual significance.

3. An artistic and engineering marvel that can be seen in the hieroglyphics, carvings, and colossal statues demonstrating the skill and creativity of ancient Egyptian builders. 

4. A testament to preservation, just as in the 1960s, Abu Simbel faced the threat of submersion due to the Aswan High Dam project. 

Egypt, associated by the UNESCO led a remarkable rescue mission, relocating the temple to higher ground piece by piece, preserving its historical and cultural legacy for future generations.

Process of Abu Simbel Temple Construction

Now, here comes a fascinating part, as we’re about to tell you about Abu Simbel Temple construction process, because believe me, it’s worth telling!

The fascinating story began almost 3,000 years ago when ancient Egyptian engineers and workers carved the entire Abu Simbel Temple directly into a mountainside using only simple tools and manpower.

Can you believe that?!

All this perfect marble without any single modern tool like cranes or bulldozers 

As a matter of fact, this work of art was a work of mind more than tools as can be seen in:

1. Choosing a strategic location on the west bank of the Nile as it aligns with the sun’s path so that twice a year, in a way that light would shine into the inner sanctuary.

2. Carving the temple from the solid rock using chisels, hammers, and copper tools into a sandstone cliff, instead of building it with blocks like the Pyramids of Giza. 

Workers painstakingly sculpted the massive statues and detailed hieroglyphics.

3. Creating the grand entrance, which is a fingerprint of Abu Simbel Temple and consists of four gigantic statues of Ramses II standing at 66 feet tall. 

These weren’t just decorations but symbolized his strength and god-like status. And yes, they had to be carved with absolute precision to maintain balance and proportion.

4. Designing the inner chambers, which are a series of halls and rooms, and leading to the sacred sanctuary. 

Also, needless to mention, the carvings on the walls that speak of stories of Ramses II’s victories and offerings to the gods, looking like an ancient Instagram feed showcasing his greatest moments.

Rediscovery of Abu Simbel Temples

The story behind the rediscovery of the Abu Simbel Temples is a jaw-dropping one FR!

Over centuries, the sands flooded the whole temple, closing its entrance, leaving only the upper parts of its entrance statues visible, and turning the temple to be forgotten by the outer world for centuries.

But in 1813, the Swiss traveler and geographer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt – whom you might call the “Forgotten Gems Hunter” and the discoverer of the Petra- stumbled upon Abu Simbel Temple’s massive statues peeking out from the sand, calling him to rediscover it!

Although fascinated, Johann couldn’t reveal the whole temple but shared his adventure with the real-life “Indiana Jones”, the Italian explorer Giovanni Belzoni, who knows how to get things done with great persistence. 

And in 1817, Belzoni unraveled the temple and beat the dust from it, allowing the sunlight to be able to enter the sacred sanctuary once again. 

Not only that, but he also revealed the remarkably well-preserved and untouched intricate carvings, towering statues, and painted hieroglyphs that tell the stories of a time long past during Ramses II’s reign, his military victories, and his devotion to the gods.

Shortly after this rediscovery, Abu Simbel city and temple became one of the most celebrated archaeological sites in the world in no time. 

This attracted historians, explorers, and travelers who came from everywhere to see it and get fascinated by its miraculous scale and artistry which made the rediscovery of Abu Simbel Temples just like the rediscovery of any other temple, but a statement of power, a marvel of engineering, and a gateway into the mind of Ramses II.

Abu Simbel Original Location

Since its construction, Abu Simbel original location used to be on the western side of the Nile in Nubia. 

And as we mentioned earlier, its location was chosen carefully by Ramses II to show his influence and to warn any southern invaders from approaching his borders. 

And eversince, southern comers were met by 4 gigantic statues of Ramese II declaring Egypt’s dominance not only over its own territory and making the Egyptian southern borders uniquely.

Also, Abu Simbel original location benefited the temple from many things, among them was holding it to stand still for thousands of years as it was carved into a mountain, giving the stability it needed.

Abu Simbel Temple Relocation 

Due to yearly basis floodings, Egypt had to build Aswan High Dam, which in turn created the artificial reservoir of water: Lake Nasser.

But the story doesn’t end here. 

As Egypt had 5 temples located behind Aswan High Dam: Abu Simbel Temples, Philae Temple, Kalabsha Temple, Amada Temple, and Wadi es-Sebua Temples, all of them were in danger of being submerged and had to be moved from their original location to a higher ground. 

That’s where the UNESCO organization coordinated huge global efforts, raising funds and technical expertise from over 50 countries to help Egypt preserve its heritage.

Thus, Abu Simbel Temple relocation process took place between 1964 and 1968 by cutting the entire temple into over 1,000 massive blocks, weighing up to 30 tons each, and reconstruct it on higher ground, without altering its alignment or structure. 

The new location was about 213.5 feet higher and 656.2 feet inland from the original site, which was chosen carefully to mimic the natural landscape. 

The Abu Simbel temple relocation resulted in what we see standing still today, almost exactly as it did thousands of years ago, thanks to one of the greatest engineering feats of the 20th century.

Abu Simbel Sun Festival

In a miraculous event that’s as amazing as aurora borealis, the ancient Egyptian architects planned the Abu Simbel Sun Festival so perfectly that the sun “visits” Ramses II exactly twice a year: once on his coronation anniversary on February 22 and his birthday on October 22. 

The festival happens as the sunlight penetrates through all the temples and enters the sacred sanctuary, illuminating three out of four statues: Amun, Ra-Horakhty, and Ramses II himself, without illuminating the fourth, which belongs to Ptah.

At a great precision, Ancient Egyptian architects planned this alignment without computers and modern tools, they designed a temple that interacts with the cosmos in a way that still works over 3,000 years later!

Recently, Egypt put the final touches on the Grand Egyptian Museum. Egyptian engineers designed the museum to light the face of Ramses II’s statue in the Great Hall on the same two dates at Abu Simbel Temple 

Today, thousands of people gather at Abu Simbel to witness this breathtaking event causing peaks in the travel seasons in Egypt.

If you’re planning to attend the Abu Simbel Sun Festival, here are a few tips that will allow you to get the best experience of your lifetime:

• Arrive early, as the festival draws quite a crowd, so you should get there early to ensure booking a good spot to view the event.
• Dress in light and comfortable clothing, with a hat and sunglasses as the desert sun gets hotter during the daytime.
• Bring snacks and water 

Inside Abu Simbel Temple Tour

Mostly, people are fascinated with the 4 colossal Ramses II statues sitting at the entrance of the temple, but when they go on inside the Abu Simbel temple tour, their jaws drop from the beauty they witness everything inside Abu Simbel temple as it consists of:   

Great Temple: Grand Entrance and Hypostyle Hall 

The first thing you’ll meet is the Grand Entrance of the Great Temple of Ramses II, where you’ll see the wall writings that speak of Ramses II’s triumphs against his African enemies from the south.   

Then, as you enter, you’ll see massive standing statues of Rameses II depicted as inbound with the god Osiris, god of the afterlife, showing Ramses II with an everlasting nature.

Behind these statues reside wall carvings showing Ramses defeating his enemies, especially at the Battle of Kadesh.

From the Hypostyle Hall emerge rooms that were believed to be storage of Ramses II’s valued treasures or used for religious purposes.

The Sacred Sanctuary

As you venture more inside Abu Simbel temple, you’ll see the large hall leading to a room with four pillars ornate with scenes of Ramses II giving his offerings to the gods. 

At the very heart of the temple, deep inside, lies the sacred sanctuary—a small, dark chamber with four seated statues: Ramses II, Ptah (god of the underworld), Amun-Ra (king of the gods), and Ra-Horakhty (sun god). 

Here is where the magic happens, aka the “Abu Simbel Sun Festival” we mentioned earlier, where the sunlight enters the sacred sanctuary twice a year and illuminates 3 statues, leaving the god Ptah in darkness, symbolizing his underworld role. 

Nefertari Temple At Abu Simbel

Next to the Great Temple resides the temple of Ramses’ favorite wife, Queen Nefertari. 

One of the temples showcases the importance of the queen pharaoh in Egypt and is depicted at the same scale as the pharaoh

Inside Nefertari Temple, the pillars are ornate with the goddess Hathor’s head, and the reliefs show Nefertari in various sacred acts, emphasizing her divine status.

Check out our exclusive tours that include visiting Abu Simbel.

Why Abu Simbel is Worth the Journey

Abu Simbel isn’t just another temple—it’s an engineering marvel, a historical archive, and a spiritual masterpiece all in one. The sheer effort it took to relocate the entire complex in the 1960s (to save it from Lake Nasser’s rising waters) is another reason why it remains one of the most significant cultural sites in the world.

If you’re visiting Egypt, prioritize this tour. Stand in the presence of gods, witness the stories carved in stone, and experience the genius of an ancient civilization that continues to inspire awe.

Are you planning your visit? Make sure to time it around the Sun Festival for an unforgettable spectacle!

When was Abu Simbel built?

Abu Simbel was built around 1264 BCE to 1244 BCE during the reign of Pharaoh Ramses II in the 19th Dynasty of Ancient Egypt.

Why is the Abu Simbel Temple important?

It’s a masterpiece of ancient Egyptian architecture, built to honor Ramses II and Queen Nefertari, showcase Egypt’s power, and impress both its people and enemies.

Where was Abu Simbel originally located?

Originally, it stood on the west bank of the Nile in Nubia, but it was relocated in the 1960s to higher ground to prevent submersion due to the creation of Lake Nasser.

Why is Abu Simbel so special?

Abu Simbel is special for its colossal statues, intricate carvings, and solar alignment, where sunlight illuminates the temple’s inner sanctuary twice a year.

Who are the 4 gods in Abu Simbel?

Inside the sanctuary, the four gods are Ramses II, Ra-Horakhty (sun god), Amun-Ra (king of the gods), and Ptah (god of the underworld).

Is it worth visiting Abu Simbel?

Absolutely! It’s one of Egypt’s most breathtaking temples, offering stunning carvings, a deep historical legacy, and a unique solar phenomenon twice a year.

How to get from Aswan to Abu Simbel?

You can travel by:

• Flight (45 minutes, fastest option)
• Bus/Car (3-4 hours one way)
• Nile Cruise + Overland (luxury option)

What is the miracle of Abu Simbel?

The solar alignment phenomenon—twice a year, sunlight perfectly illuminates three statues in the sanctuary while leaving Ptah in darkness.

What happens twice a year at Abu Simbel?

On February 22 and October 22, the rising sun aligns with the inner sanctuary, lighting up three statues while Ptah, the god of darkness, remains untouched.

Why was Abu Simbel removed?

To save it from Lake Nasser’s rising waters, UNESCO led a monumental relocation effort in the 1960s, cutting and reassembling the temples on higher ground.

Can you stay overnight in Abu Simbel?

Yes, but the options are limited. There are a few basic hotels near the site, but most visitors take a day trip from Aswan.

What happened at Abu Simbel?

It was built by Ramses II to commemorate his victory at the Battle of Kadesh and to showcase Egypt’s dominance over Nubia. Later, it was relocated to avoid submersion.

What’s the travel time by air between Aswan and Abu Simbel?

The direct flight from Aswan to Abu Simbel takes about 45 minutes, making it the fastest way to visit the temple.