Land of the Pharaohs

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            Photography by Roy Slovenko

In the heart of the Nubian territory, close to the Sudanese border, stands Abu Simbel, an architectural masterpiece erected to forever glorify its constructor, Ramses II, the greatest pharaoh in Egyptian history.

Deep within the mountain sanctuary is a secret chamber in which sat statues of the deified Ramses II and the triad of gods to which the temple was ostensibly dedicated.

Restart Egypt Exhibit

Photography by Roy Slovenko

Wall carving below depicts Nubian slaves and their master.  War prisoners were forced into lifelong labor on this temple project.

Four colossal seated statues of Ramses II constitute the front of the main temple.  Wall decorations, inside and out, celebrate his military glory.

To save Abu Simbel from being submerged in the waters of Lake Nasser as the Aswan High Dam was built, an extraordinary engineering feat was accomplished in which a whole mountainside of carved rock was taken apart and reassembled piece by piece higher up on the mountain. 

Another temple at Abu Simbel is dedicated to Queen Nefertari, the phaoroh's 19th wife and clear favorite.

Ramses II