Abu Simbol Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

Abu Simbol

The great temple of Abu Simbol and the smaller temple of Hathor, Workshop 2, were carved out of a mountainside on the West Bank of the Nile River in the 13th Century B. C. The great temple, Workshop 1, was build to honor Ramses II. Its 33 meter high facade with four statues of Ramses II was intended to impress and frighten while the purpose of the interior was to reveal the union of god and the king.

The temple of Hathor was built by Ramses II to honor his beloved wife, Nefertari. Statues of Nefertari, as goddess Hathor, alternate with statues of Ramses II on the face of Queen Nefertari’s temple.

Over the centuries both the Nile River and the desert sands shifted until the temple was lost. It was rediscovered in 1813 by the Swiss explorer Jean-Louis Burkhardt. By 1817, the sand was cleared away by Giovanni Belzoni. Only three of the four statues of Ramses II were found standing. The inner left statue had collapsed and was left on the ground.

In the 1960s as Lake Nasser threatened to engulf the temples, UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) cut them from the cliff and moved them to an artificial cliff 210 meters back and 65 meters higher than their original position.

Abu Simbol is approximately 280 kilometers South of Aswan. It is a small village famous for the temples.

danasam, mafegan, mumek, belido, jmdias, gunbud, bona has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

batalay (20806) 2008-06-08 19:15

Hi Betty,

Again, a most informative note accompanies this excellent photograph of the entrance of the Abu Simbal Temple. It is astonishing that such colossal statues had become buried under sand, but then 3200 hundred years is a very long time. The sand, however, would also have helped to preserve the statuary. I remember well the National Geographic coverage of the piece by piece dismantling of the temple, followed by their systematic recreation 65 meters higher. I have not been to Abu Simbal, but I know that they would have been covered by the rising Nile River — following the building of the great dam at Aswan.

Thank you for letting us all see the monument vicariously.

Bulent

danasam (1057) 2008-06-08 23:53

Hi Betty,

unfortunately i wasn't able to visit this wonderful place in Egypt. (i am going back for a business trip soon).

I loved the way you've delivered this photo from the best POV possible i can imagine. excellent colors and focal length. very well done Betty :)
Sam.

mafegan (4107) 2008-06-09 0:36

Hi Betty
Thank you for posting this shot of Abu Simbel - you have picked an interesting low point of view. I went there in 2004 and know it is hard to convey the size of these statues. Ramses II is certainly Ramses the Great. Marlene

mumek (17468) 2008-06-09 4:01

Good morning Betty!
Great capture of the magnificent statues from Abu Simbel.Good sharp details and nice light. The note is as usual from you very informative and interesting.Very well done
best regards
ziggy

belido (16255) 2008-06-09 5:18

Hi Betty,

it's a place I'd love to be. Very nice perspective and perfect framing. The diagonal line dividing the blue sky from the this wonder was well chosen. Very nice clarity and details. Beautiful!
Regards,
Carlos

jmdias (19053) 2008-06-22 8:28

betty

another marvelous view. I liked this pov, it shows us many details of this monument. I think the light is strong but it isn't bad, I would like to concentrate de attention in the faces of that bigger statues. I think it would give another nice shot. I will try to make a WS to see how it will be.

hugs

jorge

[workshop] [compare] +

gunbud (27755) 2008-06-26 20:25

Hi Betty,
This wonderful public works project for the glory of paharoh is seen in wonderful details of its ancient intricate design.
The red sandstone contrast brilliantly with the vivid desert sky. Excellent informative note.
Regards, Tom
Later

testmaniac (12032) 2008-09-03 0:05

Hi Betty, aways is nice to see photo from this place!
Good POV and colors.

TFS

Phil

sacimar (7357) 2009-04-16 13:28

Hi Betty,

this is a place I want to visit, good picture with an interesting perspective, great colours and composition, well done,

Regards

Sergio

bona (2227) 2009-05-14 9:04

The ancient Egypt architecture is very impressive, isn't it? The details and size of it always made my chin falls. A great photo of a great monument. Nicely done!

Andre