Great Temple of Ramesses II
Four seated colossi about 20 metres tall guard the entrance. Inside, the halls tell the story of the Battle of Kadesh and lead to a sanctuary with four seated statues.
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Abu Simbel
The temples of Ramesses II on Lake Nasser
Quick facts
- Region
- Upper Egypt
- Best months
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
- Days recommended
- 1 day
- Nearest airport
- Abu Simbel Airport (ABS); international connections via Aswan (ASW)
Abu Simbel lies in southern Egypt on the shore of Lake Nasser, about 280 km from Aswan by road. Ramesses II had two temples cut into the rock here in the thirteenth century BC, a statement of power on the border with Nubia.
The Great Temple is dedicated to Amun, Ra-Horakhty, Ptah and the deified Ramesses himself. Its facade has four seated colossi of the pharaoh, each about 20 metres high. The Small Temple, dedicated to Hathor, honours Queen Nefertari.
When the Aswan High Dam was built, both temples were going to be flooded. Between 1964 and 1968 an international campaign led by UNESCO cut them into blocks and rebuilt them about 65 metres higher, inside an artificial hill.
Twice a year, around 22 February and 22 October, the rising sun shines along the axis of the Great Temple and lights up the statues in the sanctuary. Those days draw large crowds, so plan ahead.
Most travellers visit on a day trip from Aswan, leaving before dawn. You can also stay overnight in Abu Simbel to see the temples with fewer people and catch the sound and light show [verify].
Getting there
From Aswan it is about 280 km by desert road, 3 to 4 hours each way; day trips usually leave before dawn. The small Abu Simbel airport has short flights from Aswan and Cairo in some seasons [verify]. Some Lake Nasser cruises start or end here.
Top sights
Temple of Nefertari
Dedicated to Hathor and Queen Nefertari. On its facade the queen's statues are the same height as the king's, which is unusual in Egyptian art.
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Lake Nasser
The reservoir created by the Aswan High Dam, completed in 1970. It stretches hundreds of kilometres south into Sudan and lies right beside the temples.
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Sun festival
Around 22 February and 22 October, the dawn light travels through the Great Temple and lights up the sanctuary. Exact dates and access can change [verify].
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