Temple of Hathor at Abu Simbel

Temple of Hathor at Abu Simbel

The Temple of Hathor - The second rock-cut temple at Abu Simbel lies a little to the north of the Great Temple and is similar in plan but smaller in scale. It was built in honour of the Great Royal Wife and most cherished of the consorts of Ramesses, Nefertari.

This smaller temple is dedicated to the goddess Hathor. Its facade shows Nefertari on both sides of the entrance, between two colossal 10-metre statues of Ramesses, and the royal children are depicted at the feet of the ruler. Never before had a queen been shown next to her husband and on the same scale, that is, on the facade of the temple.
The scenes on the walls of the columned hall show Nefertari taking part in divine rituals with her husband Ramesses. The scenes also show the consecration of Nefertari as a divine queen. There are also traditional scenes depicting the pharaoh Ramesses II as a warrior killing captives. Six square pillars set in two rows are crowned with the head of Hathor; they give a very gentle and feminine setting to the whole temple.

In the sanctuary at the back of the temple a statue rises from the rock wall depicting Hathor as the sacred cow - the goddess emerging from the Western Mountain.
The chamber opens to the north and south. From the vestibule, colourful scenes show Hathor on her sacred barque. The side chambers are carved into the mountain rock, resembling caves.


Nearby monuments
If the visitor has a moment to spare, there are other monuments visible at the Abu Simbel site - for instance a number of rock-cut stelae at the base of the cliff documenting Nubian officials. There are also remains of a sun court visible to the north of the Great Temple, and nearby is the famous "Marriage Stela", which tells of the marriage alliance between Ramesses II and a daughter of the Hittite king.

The town of Abu Simbel lies about 275 km south of Aswan on the western bank of Lake Nasser and 50 km from the Egyptian border with Sudan.