“Following the decision to build a new High Dam at Aswan in the early 1960s, the temples were dismantled and relocated in 1968 on the desert plateau 64 meters (about 200 feet) above and 180 meters (600 feet) west of their original site,” writ… You could be one of the countries eligible for a free visa for 90 days. First Stage: In order to save the temples of Abu Simbel as a primary solution, a cofferdam was built around Abu Simbel Temples to protect them from the rising water of the High Dam. Even though it is home to several hotels, the small town is usually overlooked by tourists as a holiday destination. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Small temple is located about 100 meters (330 feet) to the … Abu Simbel temple was discovered in 1813 after being buried under the sands of the desert for a long time. Because the site would soon be flooded by the rising Nile, it was decided that the temples should be moved. It is totally up to you, but if you choose to you can tip the servers at your restaurant 5-10% by handing it to them directly and 5 Egyptian Pounds as a general tip of anyone. Moving … You should bring a brimmed hat and sunglasses if you not used to the Egyptian sun &pack everything you could ever need and put in a small bag so you could move easily between your destinations. was the first Westerner to see « Ebsambal (=Abu Simbel) », on March 22, 1813. Trips In Egypt was founded in 2002 when it launched, since then the company specialized in providing trips in Egypt only which includes tour packages, vacations, Nile cruises, day trips, shore excursions, and any kind of trips in Egypt. In this film an Egyptian engineer tells his story about why he wants to participate in the greatest engineering project since the pyramids – the Assuan dam project. Twelfth Stage: The concrete domes were built under the artificial mountain rocks and above the two temples to ease a load of mountain rocks on the two temples, thus, the temples of Abu Simbel were successfully moved into one of the largest projects of the last century. One of the most famous sites that were threatened was the Abu Simbel temples located in Nubia. The Great Temple at Abu Simbel, which took about 20 years to build, was completed around year 24 of the reign of Ramesses the Great (1265 BC). There are regular flights that connect Abu Simbel with Aswan. The fare depends on the time of booking. So what is so special about Abu Simbel temples, its history, and how did the process of Abu Simbel temple relocation?? Tenth Stage: They moved the block of stones at the place of the new temple, which is away from the old place by about 120 meters and at a height of 60 meters from what was previously. The very small village of Abu-Simbel lies 280 km south of Aswan, and only 40 km north of the Sudanese border. Egypt provided half of the financing and UNESCO (with global support) the remainder. The relocation of Abu Simbel’s temples: how they were saved The world's leading construction firms team up to rescue a pair of ancient temples threatened by the Nile. They are very simples, If you want to apply for a Visa On Arrival that lasts for 30 days then you should be one of the eligible countries(check the link), have a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining and pay 25$ USD entry fee in cash. The temperature of Egypt ranges from 37c to 14 c, Summer in Egypt is somehow hot and winter is cool and mild but sometimes it becomes cold at night. If you travel from Cairo, then there are regular flights that can take you Abu Simbel. This operation took four years from 1964-1968 and cost 300 million dollars in today’s value. To rescue the ancient temples in Abu Simbel from the waters of the Nile, the temples had to be relocated. Do not hesitage to give us a call. The Abu Simbel Temples are located on the west bank of the Nile River, approximately 230 km southwest of Aswan in an area known a Nubia. as the Nile from Aswan to Luxor takes three to four days of sailing on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for the total cost of 600$ and the Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan take four to five days in Saturday, Monday and Thursday for the coast of 650$. These twin temples, one larger and one smaller, were built more than 3,200 years ago by Ramses II as monuments to himself and his queen Nefertari. Located in Nubia along the Nile river, they were carved out of solid rock. Yes, you can enter the pyramids for the small fee of 20$. An image captured during the process of Abu Simbel temple relocation In the mid-1950s, the Egyptian government decided to build a dam in the city of Aswan in the hopes … The new site was 65 m high and 200m fur… { Most of them prefer to visit the Nubian town on a daytrip from Cairo or Aswan or as an extension to a Nile cruise or a Lake Nasser Cruise. The resulting rising water levels led to a threat to the Abu Simbel Temples. Fourth Stage: A tunnel was dug for workers so that workers can enter and get out of the tunnel in an easy way. The “Small Temple” is not that small. }. As of March 1st, we will not support this browser anymore. The temples were dismantled, moved 60 meters up the sandsto… Endangered by the erection of the Aswan High Dam in the mid-20th century, the temples were disassembled and reconstructed on higher ground. The successful relocation of the Abu Simbel temples set the momentum for further rescue efforts. Duration: 8:13. Fax: +46 (0)8 644 9045. Temples of Abu Simbel Relocation Abu Simbel is a complex formed by two temples carved into the rock, built by the will of Pharaoh Ramses II during his reign (1279-1213 … It was the UNESCO mission to join the Egyptian forces with an international team from Italy, Germany, Sweden, and other countries to launch a project to Abu Simbel temple relocation process in 1963 and the mission was successfully accomplished in 1968. The feat was accomplished through international collaboration, with Atlas Copco contributing with its technical know-how and equipment. Abu Simbel survived through ancient times, only to be threatened by modern progress. "@context": "http://schema.org", Fashback: The relocation of Egypt’s Abu Simbel temples The the Pharaonic monuments in Aswan, known as Abu Simbel temples, were originally carved out of the mountainside during the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses II in the 13th century BCE (Before the Current Era). English narration. If you are in Aswan, then you can reach Abu Simbel by flight. In the video game TimeSplitters, the entrance to the tomb in the first level – "1935 Tomb" – looks like Abu Simbel. They built two domes to cover the structure of the temple that is considered a very clever idea. The new site was about 200 meters further inland and 65 meters higher up. It is advised to wear something light from cotton or linen, comfortable and put on sunblock during your time in Egypt in the summer and wear comfortable footwear like a closed-toe shoe to sustain the sandy terrain. The Abu Simbel Temples were dismantled and relocated in 1968 on the desert plateau 64 meters above and 180 meters west of their original built site. Abu Simbel temple relocation process was complex and involved many details as there was no place for any mistakes or lack of planning. Abu Simbel's move was completed in 1968 and cost $40 million, but the work did not stop there. "logo": "https://www.atlascopco.com/history/etc.clientlibs/settings/wcm/designs/accommons/clientlib-preloaded/resources/img/png/logo.png" Facts about Abu Simbel 1: Relocation 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 High Dam on the Nile River. "url": "https://www.atlascopco.com/history", In 1964, a massive relocation operation was initiated and involved specialists drawn from many countries including archeologists, heavy machine operators, and engineers all who worked under the UNESCO banner. Abu Simbel Temples, Aswan. Among his many projects were the temples of Abu Simbel in Upper Egypt. we always keep in mind that your safety & comfort are our main priority until you return home. The relocation of the temples of Abu Simbel came in at $40m, which in today's money is well over a quarter of a billion dollars, or approximately £160m. The Abu Simbel Temples were dismantled and relocated in 1968 on the desert plateau 64 meters above and 180 meters west of their original built site. Within the Nubian valley itself, UNESCO rescued as many as 22 different … You should wear whatever you want. The temples' alignment in relation to one another and to the cardinal directions had to be exactly the same as before. Yes, it is absolutely safe to travel to egypt, You will feel secure in Egypt as the current atmosphere of the country is very peaceful after the government took powerful measures like restructuring the entire tourist police to include all the important and tourist attractions in Egypt and construct an entire environment dedicated for ensuring the lives of all tourists. They are situated on the western bank of Lake Nasser, about 230 km southwest of Aswan. The Relocation of Abu Simbel. To rescue … In Anne Michaels ' second novel The Winter Vault the relocation of Abu Simbel is one of the main themes. The water of the High Dam would have eventually flooded the temples of Abu Simbel and there must be accurate procedures to save them. Abu Simbel remains one of Egypt’s top tourist attractions. Abu Simbel Temple Relocation Process Step-by-Step, Abu Simbel Temple Relocation Process Step-by-Step. After visiting the small temple, he wandered a few tens of meters to the south, and discovered the upper part of the colossi of Ramses II of the Great Temple, still buried under the sand (3). Second Stage: The government built drainage & a pumping station to prevent water from reaching the temples. Over the next 20 years, the temples were carved into an existing sandstone mountain. The operation invol… Eleventh Stage: It started to be installed in the stones blocks of Abu Simbel temple again from the last part of the temples from the inside to the outer gate. Digitized by the UNESCO Archives. Fifth Stage: The roof of the temple was supported by steel scaffolding & rubber sheets to protect the inscribed blocks through the cutting process. You will also be notified a week before your trip if the weather is unsafe or if any changes have been made. Ramadan is a special time of year for Muslims that should be celebrated by non-Muslims and feel the essence of the Islamic culture. The average of low temperatures vary from 9.5 °C in the wintertime to 23 °C in the summertime and average high temperatures vary from 17 °C in the wintertime to 32 °C in the summertime while the temperature is moderate all along the coasts. A film about how a barrier was built in front of the Abu Simbel temple, to protect the temple from the flooding of the Nile. workers were so careful in cutting & rebuilding the 807 blocks of the great temple and the 235 blocks of the smaller ones. After reaching the Airport, you can hire a taxi that can take you to Abu Simbel. Here all things need to know about Abu Simbel temple relocaion process: 3. The Relocation of the Abu Simbel Temples. The great temple of Ramesses II is dedicated to Amun, Ra-Horakhty, and Ptah and is a well-preserved temple in which Ramesses II decided to prepare a terrific celebration inside in two different dates; February 22nd the date of reaching the throne and October 22nd his birthday. You can fast with the Muslim or just observe but you are always welcome to join the celebrations and festivals. Image SourceAbu Simbel is said to be a very fascinating destination for the tourists. The Temples of Abu Simbel were relocated in order to rescue the ancient temples from the waters of the Nile. In 1959, UNESCO received an official request from the Egyptian and Sudanese governments regarding the rescue of the unique temples in Abu Simbel. These two temples were built in the 13th century through the 19th century. The largest temple is dedicated to the sun gods and to Ramses himself, and the smaller to his favori… The complex is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the "Nubian Monuments", which run from Abu Simbel downriver to Philae. Eight Stage: The statues of Ramesses II were cut, filled with chemical materials in addition to powder mixed with the fine dust of the cutting blocks to give the same color. Tourists gather together from around the world on two well-known dates “. When completed, they stood approximately 100 feet tall. In approximately 1244 B.C., Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses II directed the construction of two major sandstone temples in the southern part of Egypt, on the banks of the Nile River near the second cataract. In 1964, one of the world's largest and most spectacular dismantling and reassembly projects was begun in Egypt. Curatorial assistant Hina Zaidi takes a virtual deep dive into the relocation of temple Abu Simbel, which is featured in a lithograph in our latest exhibition, Ways of Seeing: Buildings and Monuments. Thereafter, the Italian Giovanni Battista Belzoni and his team managed to An international donations campaign began to save the monuments that were under threat from the rising of the water of the Nile, which could be caused by the construction of Aswan High Dam in 1959. Tel: +46 (0)8 743 8000 Abu Simbel – Unparalleled relocation project. Yes, it is available all years. . The dome measured 17 m in depth and its foundation was 22 m high, the dome, which was built is considered the strongest dome in the world as it can carry the weight of the artificial hill. Third Stage: The excavation process started with extracting the walls & ceilings of the temples from inside the mountain and to protect them, they were all covered with sand fills to protect the temple’s parts from any debris. Seventh Stage: Re-erecting the roofs & the walls of the temple were the next step in the Abu Simbel temple relocation process. A production of UNESCO and the Abu Simbel Joint Venture. With the construction of the large Aswan Dam, two ancient temples would be submerged and irreparably damaged. This matter is similar to what ancient engineers were able to achieve to occur twice a year to illuminate the face of Ramesses II. As for the E-Visa for 30 days, you should have a valid passport for at least 8 months, complete the online application, pay the e-visa fee then print the e-visa to later be presented to the airport border guard. In such a festival, you will find three of Ramesses’ statues are lighted with the sun rays except for the fourth statue of Ptah, who was the dark god. Ninth Stage: The engineers cut the blocks of stone temples and then numbered them so that they can be easily installed after the transfer. In the 1960s, the Egyptian government decided to build the Aswan High Dam on the Nile River, and it was feared that this would result in flooding Lake Nasser to such levels that the temples of Abu Simbel would be submerged. These two temples were built in the 13th century through the 19th century. So what is so special about Abu Simbel temples, its history, and how did the process of Abu Simbel temple relocation?? After the construction of Aswan High Dam, the Nile water level in this area continued to rise dangerously, which was a serious threat to the Nubia area, especially the location of the Abu Simbel temples. In 1964, one of the world’s largest and most spectacular dismantling and reassembly projects was begun in Egypt. For those who are not familiar with the temples, the temples are located … An international campaign was subsequently launched to seek for funding to relocate the ancient temples. Tourists gather together from around the world on two well-known dates “October 22nd & February 22nd” to witness the magnificence Abu Simbel Sun Festival. We are an expert team and we are happy to talk to you. In the 1960s the Egyptian government began plans to construct the Aswan High Dam on River Nile. The temple is a playable tomb in The Sims 3: World Adventures. The building of the dam created an artificial lake, which flooded the Abu Simbel temples. Abu Simbel temple relocation mission coasted about $40 million and the effort of the international collaboration aimed to protect & save the world’s biggest historical monument. The temple was carved into a cliff so they were peeled away and then cut into blocks using power saws, each block weigh between 20 to 30 tons, then moved to a different location and assembled together like a game of logos using drilled holes, reinforcement bars into an artificial cliff resembling the original on a platform of cement & steel and surrounded by an artificial stone mountain. Abu Simbel Temples is a complex formed by two temples excavated in the rock during the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses II in the 13th century BC, as a monument dedicated to this pharaoh and his wife Nefertari. To rescue the ancient temples in Abu Simbel from the … Trips In Egypt team is composed of diverse individuals from all over the world who are the guardians of the ancient knowledge, magnificent attractions, and secrets of Egypt. It is known the best time to travel to Egypt is in the winter from September to April as the climate becomes a bit tropical, a warm atmosphere with a winter breeze. Please use one of the following supported browsers to continue visiting our website, Atlas Copco homepage We have experience in vacation planning for more than 10 years & our staff consists of the most professional operators, guides and drivers who dedicate all of their time & effort create the perfect vacation. From 1964-1968, UNESCO set forth an initiative to move both the Great Temple and the Small Temple to a plateau on the cliffs. Abu Simbel was originally constructed just 280 km outside Aswan, on the western bank of Lake Nasser. Abu Simbel temple relocation mission coasted about $40 million and the effort of the international collaboration aimed to protect & save the world’s biggest historical … They commemorated a … Visiting Abu Simbel temple with our majestic Egypt tour packages or Nile cruises is a life-changing experience through which you’ll find yourself in one of the most important ancient achievements, know everything about the dedication of the Egyptian Pharaohs to their gods, their work, and their social life and surely you’ll be a lucky person if you got the chance to witness the magical sun festival. This cofferdam was 370m wide and was made of steel sheets. The international community had much to be excited about at the conclusion of this twenty-year project: countless artefacts had been rescued through the successful completion of a project that had demanded creative engineering skills. Abu Simbel, site of two temples built by the Egyptian king Ramses II, located in ancient times at pharaonic Egypt’s southern frontier facing Nubia. Today they are a UNESCO World Heritage site, along with a number of other UNESCO sites in Nubia from Abu Simbel Temples to … A total of 22 monuments and complexes were relocated by 40 … Duration: 24:12. Sixth Stage: Engineers ensured workers used only the electric jack until they reached a depth of 80cm. It is located on the western shore of Lake Nasser, about 300 km by road from the Aswan dam, close to its original location. After the barrier was built, the temple was dissembled and moved. The intricate calculations to achieve the original solar-alignment remains the most impressive thing about the salvage project. "@type": "Organization", This was so that during certain hours of the spring and autumn, the rays of the sun would continue to illuminate the statues in the larger temple's inner halls, 60 meters into the cliff. They are travel enthusiasts, Egyptologists, Archaeologists, and history passionates who know every corner about the historical, geographical, geopolitical, and cultural nature of Egypt that trace back to more than 5000 years. Gamal Abdel Nasser was the first Egyptian to actually rule Egypt in over 2,000 years – true. Zureks- Wikimedia Commons. The Temples of Abu Simbel were relocated in order to rescue the ancient temples from the waters of the Nile. Abu Simbel – Unparalleled relocation project In 1964, one of the world's largest and most spectacular dismantling and reassembly projects was begun in Egypt. The fare of the flight may vary from 1200-1800 EGP. Moving … It was dedicated to the gods Amun, Ra-Horakhty, and Ptah, as well as to the deified Rameses himself. The Abu Simbel temples are two massive rock-cut temples at Abu Simbel, a village in Aswan Governorate, Upper Egypt, near the border with Sudan. Silent. 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