Desert temple of Abu Simbel

About Desert temple of Abu Simbel

In the 13th century BC, at the height of his power and self-mythologisation, **Pharaoh Ramesses II ordered two temples to be carved into the sandstone cliffs of southern Nubia**, near what is now the border of Egypt and Sudan. The Great Temple — **its façade dominated by four colossal seated statues of Ramesses himself, each 20 metres tall** — was dedicated to the sun gods Amun-Ra and Ra-Horakhty, as well as to the deified Ramesses. The smaller temple beside it was dedicated to his chief queen, **Nefertari, an honour almost without precedent in Egyptian history**. The temples were aligned with extraordinary precision: **twice a year, on 22 February and 22 October — dates believed to correspond to Ramesses's birthday and coronation day — the rising sun penetrates the full 60-metre depth of the Great Temple** to illuminate the statues at its innermost sanctuary, leaving only the statue of Ptah, god of the underworld, in permanent darkness. For centuries, Abu Simbel was buried under desert sand and unknown to the outside world. The **Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt rediscovered it in 1813**, and it was excavated by Giovanni Belzoni the following year. Its second and more dramatic rescue came in the 1960s, when **the construction of the Aswan High Dam threatened to submerge it permanently beneath the rising waters of Lake Nasser**. In one of the most ambitious feats of archaeological engineering ever undertaken, **a UNESCO-led international effort between 1964 and 1968 cut the temples into over a thousand numbered blocks** — some weighing 20 tonnes — and reassembled them on an **artificial hill 65 metres higher and 200 metres back from the water**. The solar alignment was preserved with remarkable accuracy. Abu Simbel is located **280 kilometres south of Aswan**. Most visitors fly from Aswan on a short morning flight, arriving in time for the temples when they are coolest and least crowded — then return by early afternoon. An overnight stay in the small town of Abu Simbel allows for a calmer, more immersive experience, and the opportunity to attend the **Sound and Light Show in the evenings**. The best months to visit are **October through February**. The **solar illumination events on 22 February and 22 October draw large crowds** — book ahead if visiting on those dates.

Highlights

• ✦ Four colossal statues of Ramesses II, each 20 m tall
• ✦ Relocated in 1968 to save them from Lake Nasser's rising waters
• ✦ Temple interior aligns with the sun twice a year

Practical info

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to visit Abu Simbel?

Standard entry costs around EGP 600 (roughly €11), separate from the cost of transport from Aswan, whether by shared minibus convoy, private car, or flight. A flight is considerably more expensive than the road trip but saves several hours of driving through desert. Photography of the temple interiors may have restrictions, so check current rules at the ticket office.

Is there a train to Abu Simbel?

No, there is no rail line to Abu Simbel; the only ways in are by road convoy from Aswan (about 3 hours each way), by domestic flight (about 30 minutes), or by Lake Nasser cruise ship, which some itineraries include. Most day-trippers join an organised minibus convoy that departs Aswan very early in the morning. The road is well maintained but crosses open desert with limited services along the way.

Is a day trip to Abu Simbel from Aswan worth the early start?

Yes for most visitors — convoys typically leave Aswan around 4:00 to 5:00 in the morning to reach the temples for opening and return by early afternoon, and the colossal statues of Ramesses II are considered among the most impressive sights in Egypt. Flying instead cuts the travel time dramatically if the extra cost is not a concern. Either way, plan for a very early wake-up and bring water and snacks since options at the site are limited.

What is the sun festival at Abu Simbel?

Twice a year, around 22 February and 22 October, sunlight aligns to illuminate statues deep inside the main temple's inner sanctuary, an effect attributed to the ancient builders' astronomical calculations. These dates draw larger crowds and sometimes special early-morning access, so it's worth booking well ahead if visiting then. Outside these dates, the temple's interior lighting is dim but the exterior facade is striking at any time of day.

Why was Abu Simbel relocated in the 1960s?

The temples originally stood lower down near the Nile, but the construction of the Aswan High Dam threatened to flood the site under Lake Nasser, so UNESCO coordinated an enormous international project between 1964 and 1968 to cut the temples into large blocks and reassemble them on higher ground. The relocation preserved both temples' orientation, including the alignment used for the biannual sun festival. It remains one of the most celebrated feats of archaeological engineering of the 20th century.

Explore more

• Egypt
• Pyramids of Giza
• Temples of Luxor

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