Abu Simbel Temples
Last updated on August 5, 2026Overview
The Abu Simbel Temples are two ancient Egyptian rock-cut temples located near Abu Simbel (Arabic أبو سمبل), in southern Egypt, north of Lake Nasser on the Nile River, about 70 kilometers from the Second Cataract.
Built by Pharaoh Ramses II (19th Dynasty) around 1260 BC to commemorate his victory at the Battle of Qadesh, they were intended for his worship as well as that of Egyptian gods and his wife Nefertari.
These monuments are classified as World Heritage by UNESCO.