Find out the story behind those glorious temples and all about Abu Simbel trip from Aswan.
Find out the story behind those glorious temples and all about Abu Simbel trip from Aswan.
A masterpiece made by the ancient pharaohs and its legacy proceeded by Egypt's efforts. This temple was about to drown but all forces gathered around to save it and move it from elephantine island.
You may wonder what makes those temple's so special on Aswan's land?
Well, It’s not just a temple it’s a living phenomenon in Egypt, The phenomenon of sun-perpetuating on the face of the statue of Pharaoh Ramesses II.
It happens twice a year in the temple, the first corresponds to October 22 and the second to February 22 each year.
The temple of Abu simple is considered one of the most famous attractions in both Luxor and Aswan.
The story about the temples goes back in time where Ramsis II decided to build the complex in philae and in the most important country in Egypt. Nubia had significant importance due to being the center of trade.
The word Nubia itself means gold, it was a source of gold and many more goods.
Therefore, a lot of the goods were imported outside which made the Nubian culture so rich.
The temple complex was founded and carved out of the mountainside in the 13th century BC, during the 19th Dynasty reign.
It contains two temples, the Grand Temple of Abu Simbel, dedicated to the nobles.
In addition to the worship of 'Aa Hur Sakhty', 'Amon Ra'ah and the King himself all of their statues are shown.
You will also find the small temple of Abu Simbel, 100 meters from the first temple dedicated to the worship of Higgur and Queen Nefertari, the main wife of the king.
Also, you may as well find illustrations of Hathor in the temple.
The Swiss traveler "Johan Ludwig Borchart", known as "Ibrahim Borchart", discovered the site in 1813 when a child named "Abu Simbel" took him.
Back in 1954, the temple was going to drown due to building Aswan's dam so UNESCO and the country exerted a humongous effort to rescue Ramses temple and the temple complex.
The monuments are now preserved and are saved from ruins for good.
The temple was moved stone by stone in order to be saved and remain intact thanks to UNESCO's effort and Egypt's.
There are several ways to reach the temple you can either
You can travel from Cairo to Abu Simbel (direct flight from the airport landing in Aswan's).
Or you can easily hire a driver and take a car or a bus from Aswan to Abu Simbel.
the road takes approximately 2 hours and there are many trips daily.
you might take a book and have a good read till you arrive.
You might find as well a taxi that could give you left in the parking.
Also, If you are coming from Cairo you can take the train to Aswan's station.
The tour begins with a visit to the museum.
Where the tour guide will explain how they managed to move the temple complex.
There is a map of the place in addition to a small sculpture of the temple.
Later on, you will get to visit inside the temple.
It takes about an hour or more after seeing the temple you can get to have a walk by the lake.
The entrance fees visit range is: 10 egp for the Egyptian while the cost of the student is 5 egp.
As for the ticket for the tourist is 240 egp and for the student, it’s for 120 egp and the camera is free to be used but not inside the temple.
In addition, You may find a cafeteria where you can enjoy the air and get some water and, some food.
Also, A guide is provided with the tour to the visiting people.
Don't forget to carry a jacket if you are going in the early morning or the light and sound show.
What makes the temple more amazing that it was carved into the rock, one of the architectural miracles of the ancient world, and it took 20 years to carve the temple and finish it down.
The visiting hours to the temple differ from one season to another, For example, in summer the temple opens from 7 in the morning to 5 afternoons.
While in winter it starts from 7 in the morning till 4 afternoons.
The temple is usually crowded so we recommend you try to go there as early as possible so you can also see the sunset at the temple and the lake, and have the rest of the day sightseeing.
Also, the temple offers a light and sound show at night where you can learn the divine story of Abu Simple temple.
The magnificent building is located in a village in southern Egypt in Aswan's Governorate, near the border with Sudan and the Nile river bank where you can see lake Nasser in an amazing view.
If your are planning to stay few days here are few things you can do.
