"Abu Simbel - Monument in the desert" Temple of Abu Simbel by Myndo

Temple of Abu Simbel Travel Guide: 266 reviews and 918 photos

Abu Simbel, Ramses II - Temple of Abu Simbel

Standing in the desert as a warning against emperors from the south, this temple of Ramses II was the most southern outpost of Egypt.

The temple is the only one that is driven into the stone of a hill, all the others are standing free.

The temple is a masterpiece in planning. Exactly twice in a year the sun when it rises shines in the inner sanctum right in the back of the temple. The days are said to be Ramses II birthday and the day he was crowned.
The dates were the 21st February and the 21st october.
Since they relocated the whole temple they managed to keep it at two days, but now it is one day later.

Last visit to Temple of Abu Simbel: Oct 2004
Intro Updated Dec 2, 2004
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Reviews (6)

Entrance Relief of Abu Simbel - Temple of Abu Simbel

The Artwork of Abu Simbel Things to Do (5)

This is a detail of the wall right of the entrance to the Ramses Temple of Abu Simbel. The small figurine on the Side of... more travel advice

Abu Simbel - both temples - Temple of Abu Simbel

How to safe a mountain? Things to Do (5)

The temples of Abu Simbel are the only ones of Egypt that were not built but dug into the stone of a mountain. This... more travel advice

Nasser Lake, Abu Simbel - Temple of Abu Simbel

How to get to Abu Simbel Transportation (1)

Abu Simbel is located south of Aswan on the rim of the Nasser Lake. There are different ways to get there: Most easy... more travel advice

Abu Simbel. Backside - Temple of Abu Simbel

Abu Simbel - behind the scenes Things to Do (5)

The hill behind Abu Simbel is artificial and covers a gigantic concrete Bubble over the temples. This is the view of the... more travel advice

Comments (9)

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alucas Mar 19, 2007 at 7:31 AM

Nice page. But no flowers, so it wasn't your photo then !
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Bwana_Brown Sep 26, 2006 at 2:00 AM

This is definitely one of the most impressive of all Egyptian monuments! I know I would have been intimidated coming from the south if I had bumped into it! Great info too on how the complex was saved from the Aswan dam flooding.
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globetrott Apr 8, 2006 at 12:11 PM

Abu Simbel is one of my oldest travel-dreams, since I once saw the movie made by the UNESCO, showing how they transferred the huge monuments !
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chewy3326 Feb 20, 2006 at 12:47 PM

Good thing they saved the temple! It looks magnificent. And Feb 21? Looks like old Ramses shares a birthday with me :-)
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Luchonda Dec 10, 2005 at 7:55 PM

Right - take a boat to Abu Simbel and enjoy it. greetz from Belgium
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Buckz Dec 15, 2004 at 1:45 AM

Great pictures and write up. Apparenly the picture ban is everywhere in Egypt now. A few fools spoiled it for everyone.
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tpal Dec 14, 2004 at 2:10 PM

Can't get enough. All great stuff. Thanks for the tour...Tom
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ATXtraveler Dec 14, 2004 at 12:46 PM

Awesome pictures!!
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aussiedoug Dec 4, 2004 at 4:28 AM

Fantastic photos highlight your interesting must sees. I really would like to see some of these wonders of Egypt soon.