Egyptian / Egyptian Revival Architecture - Table of Contents ................Architecture Around the World
Abu Simbel Temples - Table of Contents
Larger Temple / Great Temple, Abu Simbel
Nubia, Southern Egypt
TEXT Beneath Illustrations
Two massive rock temples |
Four large statues of Ramesses II in the facade. |
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Stele (next to walkway) |
Stele which records the marriage of Ramses II with a daughter of king Hattusili III |
Statues of Horus |
Statues of Horus |
Bas-relief: prisoners |
Osiris pillars |
African and Asian prisoners |
Earthquake result: The head and torso can still be seen at the statue's feet |
Members of the royal family |
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A member of the royal family |
Ramses II wearing the double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt. |
Row of 22 seated baboons. |
Niche: falcon-headed Ra Harakhti ...... Ramses II statues |
Niche: falcon-headed Ra Harakhti |
Abu Simbel is
an archaeological site comprising two massive rock temples in Nubia, southern Egypt
on the western bank of Lake Nasser about 290 km southwest of Aswan. It is part
of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the "Nubian Monuments," which
run from Abu Simbel downriver to Philae (near Aswan). Construction of the temple complex started in approximately 1244 BCE and lasted for about 20 years, until 1224 BCE. Known as the "Temple of Ramesses, beloved by Amun," it was one of six rock temples erected in Nubia during the long reign of Ramesses II. ... Italian explorer Giovanni Belzoni, who travelled to the site, but was unable to dig out an entry to the temple. Belzoni returned in 1817, this time succeeding in his attempt to enter the complex. He took everything valuable and portable with him. Tour guides at the site relate the legend that "Abu Simbel" was a young local boy who guided these early re-discoverers to the site of the buried temple which he had seen from time to time in the shifting sands. Eventually, they named the complex after him: Abu Simbel.
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Photos and their arrangement © 2009 Chuck
LaChiusa
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