TEMPLE OF RAMSES II

History

The Funerary Temple of Ramses II, also known as Ramesseum, is a mortuary temple that was constructed during the thirteenth century BC under the rule of Ramses II, the third Egyptian pharaoh of the 19th Dynasty. Along with the Temple of Nefertari, it forms what is known as Abu Simbel.

The Temple of Ramses II is one of six temples excavated in the rock in Nubia during the reign of this pharaoh. Its purpose was to house ceremonial rites and the body of Ramses II after his death. The mortuary construction was sculpted between 1284 BC and 1264 BC.

The Funerary Temple of Ramses II faced the risk of flooding due to the construction of the Aswan Dam. To prevent this, an international operation was carried out in 1960 to relocate the temple to a higher and safer location. The temple was dismantled and rebuilt approximately 200 meters away from its original location.

Architecture

The temple begins with a portico that leads to an atrium and a terrace. The impressive facade, carved into the rock, is 35 meters wide by 30 meters high and features the four famous seated colossi of Ramses II, each about 22 meters high.

These giants are accompanied by small figures, representing their relatives, placed between their legs. The temple was built by taking advantage of existing cavities, which are now dedicated to local divinities, and enlarging the plant to adapt it to new needs.The text describes the presence of only quotes from Ramses II, except for a writing of Siptah, praising the gods, which is on the north wall of the entrance.

The construction was planned so that twice a year, when the sun rose over the horizon, its rays penetrated through the door and after being projected in the great hall of eight columns, the second hall, and the sanctuary, they fell on the four statues of the niche at the back, which were completely illuminated.

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