Abu Simbel
The great temple of Abu Simbel is dedicated to Amon-Ra,
Re-Har-Achte and Ptah, but in practice it was constructed
for the greater glory of it's builder, Ramses II. The
second and smaller temple is built to the honour of Nefertari,
the wife of Ramses II, also dedicated to the goddess Hathor.
Both temples were salvaged from flooding by Lake Nasser
in the sixties.
It
is here where the "miracle of the sun" takes
place. Twice a year, on the 22nd of February and on the
22nd October, early in the morning, the sunrays penetrate
the whole temple to bring light into the sanctuary.
Small
Temple of Abu Simbel
This temple is located north of the great temple.
The facade is adorned with six statues, four of them belong
to Ramses II and two belong to his wife Nefertari. The
main hall contains six columns, bearing the head of Hathor.
The reliefs show the fighting king and the married couple
offering sacrifices to the gods. In the sanctuary, a beautiful
relief depicting the goddess Hathor can be seen.
