Abu Simbel - temples of Ramesses II and queen Nefertari
Site
(22o21' N 31o38'
E) of two rock-cut temples of Ramesses II, located about 250 km south-east of
Aswan. The temples were discovered by the traveller Jean-Louis Burckhard
in 1813 and cleared by
Giovanni Belzoni four years later. The largest
temple is dedicated to Amon-Re, Re-Horakhte, Ptah and the deified Ramesses
II. The facade is dominated by four colossal seated figures of Ramesses II
wearing the double crown and nemes headcloth. Between the two pairs of
figures is the entrance to the cavernous interior of the monument. The
monument thus symbolized Ramesses II's domination of Nubia. The great
temple is precisely aligned so that twice a year (20 February and
20 October) the rising sun illuminates the sanctuary and seated statues of
the gods at the rearmost point of the temple. |
Temple of Ramesses II: 1 - court for sun worship 2 - seated colossi of Ramesses II 3 - large pillared hall 4 - side chambers 5 - small pillared hall 6 - sanctuary 7 - Hittite marriage stele 8 - south rock-cut chapel 9 - north rock-cut chapel 10 - extent of modern concrete dome
Temple of Hathor and Nefertari: |
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