The Spectacular Abu Simbel
Trip Start
Nov 17, 2008
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Trip End
Nov 30, 2008
Aswan, Nile River Valley, Egypt
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Abu Simbel
The great temples of Abu Simbel were originally carved out of the mountainside during the reign of Ramesses II in the 13th century BC, as a lasting monument to himself and his queen Nefertari, to commemorate his alleged victory at the Battle of Kadesh, and to intimidate his Nubian neighbors. 
Abu Simbel
However, the complex was relocated in its entirety in the 1960s, on an artificial hill made from a domed structure, high above the Aswan dam reservoir. The relocation of the temples was necessary to avoid their being submerged during the creation of Lake Nasser, the massive artificial water reservoir formed after the building of the Aswan Dam on the Nile River. Abu Simbel today remains one of Egypt's top tourist attractions.
Abu Simbel
I remember the National Geographic articles on these monuments when I was growing up, and have had them in my soul ever since then. It was stirring to approach them, and stand in front of their grand ambition 
