Abu Simbel Temples

Abu Simbel is one of Egypt's most famous monuments, as it should be! This is an amazing work of engineering that is still well-preserved. It's amazing not only because of its amazing sculptures, but also because of the monumental entryways that were built to allow sunlight to illuminate specific parts of the chamber on certain days of the year (while still leaving the god of the underworld in darkness). It was built by Ramsses II and has another historical peculiarity: with the construction of the Aswan Dam, the temple would be submerged in water. So it had to be transported, stone by stone, in its entirety.

Built in the same period as the temple of Ramses II, the Hathor temple is dedicated to Ramesses favorite wife, Queen Nefertari. The facade consists of 6 colossi standing about 30 feet high carved directly into the rock. The statues of the Ramesses temple have their left leg forward in a sort of walking position. Between the legs are smaller sculptures representing princes and princesses from the Pharaoh's court. The temple was discovered in the 19th century by Italian expedition after having been half buried with sand.

The interior colors are very vivid, and you can see a statue of the Queen dancing in front of the temple with a sistrum - a symbol of music and joy.