February 12, 2025 • 21 mins
In this episode of Global Treasures, we cover the Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae, located in Egypt. Established as a world heritage site in 1979, it famously contains the Temples of Ramses II at Abu Simbel and the Sanctuary of Isis at Philae. Join us as we discuss the rich history, travel tips for visitors and more.
Support Our Sponsors and Affiliates at no extra cost to you:
VRBO: https://vrbo.tp.st/EfusJWKK
Trip Dot Com: https://trip.tp.st/FE4FkmWF
Amazon: RFID Blocking Passport Holder: https://amzn.to/3FUEx9p
Barvita (Get 15% off your order with code ABIGAILVACCA): https://barvita.co/?ref=ABIGAILVACCA
Plannin': https://plannin.com/en/profile/globaltreasures?refId=globaltreasures
Follow Global Treasures on Social Media!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093258132336
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Abigail (00:00):
Imagine a place that tells a story spanning centuries, where
culture and nature intertwine tocreate something truly extraordinary.
That's the beauty of UNESCOWorld Heritage Sites.
I'm Abigail, and this is Global Treasures.
The podcast that covers thehistory, travel tips, and legends
(00:24):
surrounding one of the 1, 223World Heritage Sites each episode.
These places have been identified ashaving universal cultural or natural
significance that is so exceptionalthat it transcends national boundaries
and is of importance topresent and future generations.
Welcome to season two, wherewe'll explore the 45 sites that
(00:47):
UNESCO added in 1979 together.
Thank you for listening tothe global treasures podcast.
We appreciate all of your support and youcan continue to support us by subscribing
at Apple podcasts, Spotify, or Podbean,and please tell your friends about us.
You can also follow us onTikTok, Clapper, and Facebook.
(01:10):
Imagine the sun's rays beatingdown on you from all directions.
You step off the noisy21st century tour bus.
Suddenly, you find yourself transported,back in time thousands of years, to
a time when Egyptian kings and queensruled, and were worshipped even.
Welcome to the Nubian monumentsfrom Abu Simbel to Philae.
(01:36):
Dawn breaks over Lake Nasser, itswaters reflecting the first rays of
sunlight across the Nubian desert.
At the water's edge, four colossal figuresemerge from the rock face, the seated
statues of Rameses II, their eternalgaze fixed on the eastern horizon.
(01:57):
For more than 3, 000 years,these giants have guarded the
great temple of Abu Simbel.
But these aren't quite the samestones that Rameses II's artisans
carved from the living rock.
Every block, every carved relief,every grain of sandstone has been
meticulously moved and reconstructed,lifted from the rising waters that
(02:20):
threatened to submerge them forever.
This is the story of not one, but twoof humanity's greatest engineering
achievements, separated by more thanthree millennia, yet bound together
by our enduring drive to createmonuments that outlast time itself.
Welcome to the Nubian Monuments,where ancient wonder meets
(02:43):
modern ingenuity in a tale ofpreservation against impossible odds.
This site represents one ofhumanity's most ambitious
cultural preservation efforts.
Spanning the Nile from Aswan tothe Sudanese border, this UNESCO
World Heritage Site encompasses 10remarkable components that together
(03:04):
tell the story of ancient Egyptiancivilization's relationship with Nubia.
At its heart stand two crowningachievements, the Temples of Abu Simbel
and the Sanctuary of Isis at Philae,both of which faced extinction beneath
the rising waters of Lake Nasser.
(03:26):
These monuments once served as morethan mere temples, each structure in
the collection reveals a differentfacet of Egyptian Nubian relations.
From the grandeur of Abu Simbel,proclaimed Ramesses II's might to all who
ventured south, to the Temple of Isis atPhilae, which remained an active religious
(03:49):
site well into the Christian era.
The site also includes the Templeof Amada, one of the oldest
surviving structures in Nubia.
The impressive Temple of Kalabsha andthe haunting ruins of the Monastery
of St. Simeon, each adding their ownchapter to this remarkable story.
(04:10):
In the early 1960s, Egyptfaced a crucial decision.
The construction of the AswanHigh Dam promised to transform the
nation's economy through irrigationand hydroelectric power, but its
completion would create Lake Nasser:
a massive reservoir that would submergemany of Nubia's most precious monuments.
(04:34):
What followed was one of themost remarkable archaeological
rescue operations in history.
Between 1964 and 1968, the templesof Abu Simbel were systematically
dismantled into 1036 blocks, eachweighing between 20 and 30 tons.
(04:55):
Like an impossibly complex threedimensional puzzle, each block
was carefully numbered, lifted,and transported to a new location.
Engineers didn't just move thetemples, they recreated their entire
environment, building artificial hillsto maintain the original appearance of
the temples carved into living rock.
(05:17):
Even more remarkably, they preservedthe solar alignment that twice
yearly sends the sun's rays into theinnermost sanctuary to illuminate
statues of the seated gods.
The rescue of Philae presenteddifferent challenges.
The island temple complexhad already suffered periodic
flooding after the constructionof the first Aswan Dam in 1902.
(05:42):
The solution was equally ambitious.
The entire temple complex was dismantledinto 40, 000 pieces and reassembled on
the higher ground of Agilkia Island withthe process lasting from 1977 to 1980.
Every stone was catalogued, every reliefphotographed, every architectural detail
(06:07):
measured to ensure perfect reconstruction.
The original construction of thesemonuments was no less impressive
than their modern relocation.
Abu Simbel's Great TempleDedicated to Ra-Horakhty Ptah
and Amun, as well as the deified.
(06:27):
Rames II himself was carved directly intothe sandstone cliff face around 1264 BCE.
The temple's facade dominated byfour seated colossi of Rames ii,
each reaching a height of 20 meters.
It was designed to aweanyone approaching by river.
(06:48):
This was architectural propagandaon an unprecedented scale.
A permanent declaration of Egyptianpower at the empire's southern frontier.
Inside, the temple extends 61 meters intothe cliff, its walls covered with reliefs.
depicting Rameses II's military victories,particularly the Battle of Kadesh.
(07:12):
The temple's interior is a masterworkof ancient engineering, with a series of
progressively smaller chambers creatingan illusion of infinite distance.
The hypostyle wall features eight massivepillars adorned with Osiris statues of
the pharaoh, their eternal gaze followingvisitors as they move through the space.
(07:35):
The smaller temple, dedicated to thegoddess Hathor and queen Nefertari,
is equally remarkable for its time.
It was one of the very few temples wherea queen was depicted the same size as
the pharaoh, signifying her importance.
The temple of Isis at Philae representsa different architectural tradition.
(07:58):
Built during the Ptolemaic periodon an island considered one of
the burial places of Osiris.
It combined Egyptian andHellenistic elements in its design.
Its most striking feature is themassive first pylon, decorated with
reliefs showing Ptolemaic kingssmiting their enemies, an ancient
(08:20):
Egyptian motif adapted for new rulers.
The temple complex includes the elegantkiosk of Trajan, with its fourteen
columns topped by elaborate floralcapitals, and the temple of Hathor,
with its delicate relief carvings.
But these famous monumentsare just part of the story.
(08:42):
The Temple of Amada, one of theoldest surviving structures in
Nubia, showcases the architecturalevolution of the new kingdom.
Built during the 18th dynasty,under Thutmose III, and expanded
by his son, Amenhotep II.
It features some of the finest reliefwork in Nubia, with colors still
(09:03):
vivid after more than three millennia.
The temple bears fascinatingtraces of a Marna period.
Careful observers can spot where the nameof Amun was erased during Akhenaten's
religious reforms and later restored.
The Temple of Kalabsha, thoughbuilt much later during the
(09:24):
Roman period, demonstrates howEgyptian architectural traditions
endured and adapted through time.
Though never fully completed, itshowed how Roman builders interpreted
Egyptian sacred architecture.
The temple's staircase to the roof,offers insights into ancient astronomical
observations and religious rituals.
(09:46):
At Wadi es-Sebua, the site's sphinxlined processional way creates
a dramatic approach that buildsanticipation as worshippers moved
towards the inner sanctuary.
These monuments weren't justdisplays of political power.
They were living centers of religiousand cultural life for thousands of years.
(10:08):
The Temple of Isis at Philae wasthe last active site of ancient
Egyptian religion, continuing to serveworshippers until the 6th century CE.
Even after the rise of Christianity,when other temples were closed or
converted to churches, Special permissionwas granted for the Nubian people to
(10:28):
continue worshiping Isis at Philae.
This remarkable religious persistencespeaks to the deep spiritual significance
of the site and the power of the Isiscult in the ancient Nubian culture.
The walls of Philae tell the story of Isisand Osiris in elaborate relief carvings.
(10:50):
The divine drama of death and resurrectionthat captivated ancient worshipers and
continues to fascinate visitors today.
In these sacred spaces, priestsperform daily rituals to sustain the
goddess and maintain cosmic order.
During major festivals, The statue ofIsis would be carried by boat to visit
(11:11):
the tomb of Osiris on neighboring BiggehIsland, a ceremony that drew thousands of
pilgrims from across the ancient world.
But the religious significance ofthese monuments evolved over time.
When Christianity spread through theregion, the Temple of Amada became
a church in the medieval period, itswalls adorned with Coptic crosses
(11:35):
painted alongside Egyptian hieroglyphs.
At Philae, the Temple of Isis wastransformed into a church dedicated to St.
Stephen, with reliefs modifiedto reflect Christian imagery.
The Monastery of St. Simeon, built inthe 7th century, displays architecture
blending Coptic Christian needs withtraditional Egyptian building techniques.
(11:59):
Abu Simbel's religioussignificance was equally profound.
Twice each year, on February 22ndand October 22nd, with the dates
now shifted slightly due to thetemple's relocation, the rising sun
penetrates the entire length of thetemple to illuminate the statues.
(12:19):
of Ra-Horakhty, Amun, and the deifiedRamesses II in the Inner Sanctuary.
Only the statue of Ptah, associated withthe Underworld, remains in darkness.
This solar alignment, maintainedeven after the temple's relocation,
Demonstrates the sophisticatedastronomical knowledge of ancient
(12:41):
Egyptian architects and their deepunderstanding of solar theology.
The smaller temple at Abu Simbel revealsanother aspect of Egyptian religious life.
The growing importance of royalwomen in religious ritual.
Dedicated to Hathor, thegoddess of love and music.
(13:02):
And to Queen Nefertari, thetemple's imagery shows the queen
making offerings to the gods onequal footing with Ramesses II.
This elevation of the queento divine status represents a
significant theological developmentin ancient Egyptian religion.
(13:22):
The religious influence ofthese monuments extended far
beyond their immediate vicinity.
The cult of Isis, which found its lastrefuge at Philae spread throughout
the Roman Empire and influenced thedevelopment of early Christianity,
particularly in the veneration of Mary.
(13:42):
Even today, some scholars suggest thatthe ancient Egyptian feast of Sham
el Nessim, still celebrated in modernEgypt, has its roots in the religious
traditions once practiced at Philae.
Today, these monumentsface new challenges.
The very waters they were saved fromcontinue to affect them through changes
(14:05):
in humidity and salt crystallization.
Climate change poses additional threats,with extreme temperature fluctuations
stressing ancient stone that wasnever meant to endure such conditions.
Yet these challenges have also spurredinnovation in conservation techniques.
The international cooperation thatsaved these monuments in the 1960s
(14:29):
continues today through ongoingpreservation efforts, archaeological
research, and the development ofnew methods to protect ancient stone
from modern environmental threats.
Here's something remarkable.
When Abu Simbel was rediscoveredin 1813 by a Swiss explorer, it was
(14:49):
almost completely buried in sand.
This accidental preservationhelped protect its vivid colors
and delicate reliefs for centuries.
When an Italian explorer finallymanaged to enter the temple, just
four years later, he found theinterior decorations so well preserved
(15:09):
that they appear to havebeen carved just yesterday.
This site holds other fascinating secrets.
At the Temple of Kalabsha, visitorscan find an inscription from 250 CE
prohibiting pigs in the temple, one of theearliest known animal control ordinances.
And at Philae, careful observers canspot where ancient Christians carefully
(15:34):
chiseled away hieroglyphs they consideredpagan, except for the figures of Horus,
whom they associated with Jesus Christ.
As the sun sets over Lake Nasser, castinglong shadows across the reconstructed
temples, It's worth remembering that everystone you see has been moved and replaced
(15:55):
with precision that would have impressedeven the ancient Egyptian architects.
These monuments stand as testimony,not only to ancient engineering, but
to modern determination to preserveour shared cultural heritage.
Now, before you plan to visitthese remarkable sites, let's talk
about some of the things you shouldkeep in mind as you're planning.
(16:18):
If you're flying in from another country,you'll want to use Aswan Airport.
You likely will have a stopoverin Cairo, and then have a 1.
5 hour flight to Aswan.
My understanding is you have to booka tour in order to see Abu Simbel.
You can't just show up and buya ticket on site for a self
guided or even guided tour.
(16:39):
There are a wide varietyof different types of tours
available on booking sites though.
Honestly, this really is to your benefit,as you'll miss a lot of the context if
you don't hear the history and importancefrom a tour guide, which likely will
be an Egyptologist, someone who is anexpert in Egyptian history and culture.
(17:00):
The tours aren't cheap, but typicallyyou'll either see Abu Simbel or Philae.
Though you can take a combination tour.
Just know that these are long days.
And when I say long, I mean at leastan 8 to 12 hour day, if not more.
I would argue it's totally worth it,especially since you'll be driven
(17:21):
around in an air conditioned buswith everything arranged for you.
Again, Book tours and accommodationsearly, as it's one of the most popular
tourist sites in Egypt, drawing atleast a couple hundred visitors daily.
Also, keep in mind that theprimary language is Arabic.
While they often speak Englishat major tourist sites, it's
(17:44):
still helpful to have someone whospeaks it fluently guiding you.
Outside the monuments, while you'rein the area, you may want to visit the
Aswan Botanical Garden, take a camelride, Or a motorboat ride to Philae.
There are some hotel and dining optionsavailable once you're a bit away from
the site, though you may want to askyour hotel or tour guide for suggestions.
(18:08):
If you're interested in tryingsome more popular dishes,
shawarma is a great introduction.
It's a common street food.
They take a meat like lamb, sometimesbeef or chicken, and cook it on a
spit, then slice it and serve it withflatbread and tahini or a yogurt sauce.
If you're craving somethingsweet, baklava is truly special.
(18:31):
It's a phyllo dough made with walnutsor pistachios and tons of honey.
It is so decadent and addictive.
Just make sure to have tea orcoffee, as the bitter is a nice
counterbalance to the sweetness.
Just some tips I'll add to the mix (18:45):
in terms of weather, It's generally between
80 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit betweenthe months of March and November, with
the temperature dropping to as low as 48degrees Fahrenheit at night in December.
If traveling during the summermonths, Make sure to pack sunscreen
and dress modestly, despite the heat.
(19:08):
Cash may be preferred at markets, andthe currency is the Egyptian pound.
Tipping at restaurants and of tour guidesis commonplace, though not required.
Now, let's pivot and round out today'sepisode by talking about the steps being
taken to make sure the site can continueto receive visitors into the future.
(19:30):
We touched on some of the stepshistorically taken, but let's
focus on what they're doing now.
First off, this property isincredibly large and spread out.
That in itself makes taking careof it expensive and time consuming.
The main issues the monuments face isdue to the fact that they're adversely
impacted by the wind, temperature changes,rain, humidity, and even bird droppings.
(19:57):
Also, even though tourism helps withthe budget to upkeep the site, the
negative impacts of over tourismand visitation weigh heavily.
Just a couple years ago, someonewas arrested for trying to
take one of the monuments.
So when you visit, please berespectful, and do not try to take
anything with you as a souvenir.
(20:17):
Despite the long standing threatto their very existence, the Nubian
monuments have survived and thrived.
These monuments are a triumphand tribute to one of the most
important parts of human history.
In our next episode, we'll take youto a different part of the world,
the old city of Dubrovnik in Croatia.
(20:41):
Positioned on the Dalmatian coast,Dubrovnik was a key militaristic,
political, and economic city, filled withsweeping architecture and a rich history.
Until then, keep exploring, keepwondering, and keep treasuring
the remarkable diversityof our world's heritage.
Imagine a place that tells a story spanning centuries, where
culture and nature intertwine tocreate something truly extraordinary.
That's the beauty of UNESCOWorld Heritage Sites.
I'm Abigail, and this is Global Treasures.
The podcast that covers thehistory, travel tips, and legends
(00:24):
surrounding one of the 1, 223World Heritage Sites each episode.
These places have been identified ashaving universal cultural or natural
significance that is so exceptionalthat it transcends national boundaries
and is of importance topresent and future generations.
Welcome to season two, wherewe'll explore the 45 sites that
(00:47):
UNESCO added in 1979 together.
Thank you for listening tothe global treasures podcast.
We appreciate all of your support and youcan continue to support us by subscribing
at Apple podcasts, Spotify, or Podbean,and please tell your friends about us.
You can also follow us onTikTok, Clapper, and Facebook.
(01:10):
Imagine the sun's rays beatingdown on you from all directions.
You step off the noisy21st century tour bus.
Suddenly, you find yourself transported,back in time thousands of years, to
a time when Egyptian kings and queensruled, and were worshipped even.
Welcome to the Nubian monumentsfrom Abu Simbel to Philae.
(01:36):
Dawn breaks over Lake Nasser, itswaters reflecting the first rays of
sunlight across the Nubian desert.
At the water's edge, four colossal figuresemerge from the rock face, the seated
statues of Rameses II, their eternalgaze fixed on the eastern horizon.
(01:57):
For more than 3, 000 years,these giants have guarded the
great temple of Abu Simbel.
But these aren't quite the samestones that Rameses II's artisans
carved from the living rock.
Every block, every carved relief,every grain of sandstone has been
meticulously moved and reconstructed,lifted from the rising waters that
(02:20):
threatened to submerge them forever.
This is the story of not one, but twoof humanity's greatest engineering
achievements, separated by more thanthree millennia, yet bound together
by our enduring drive to createmonuments that outlast time itself.
Welcome to the Nubian Monuments,where ancient wonder meets
(02:43):
modern ingenuity in a tale ofpreservation against impossible odds.
This site represents one ofhumanity's most ambitious
cultural preservation efforts.
Spanning the Nile from Aswan tothe Sudanese border, this UNESCO
World Heritage Site encompasses 10remarkable components that together
(03:04):
tell the story of ancient Egyptiancivilization's relationship with Nubia.
At its heart stand two crowningachievements, the Temples of Abu Simbel
and the Sanctuary of Isis at Philae,both of which faced extinction beneath
the rising waters of Lake Nasser.
(03:26):
These monuments once served as morethan mere temples, each structure in
the collection reveals a differentfacet of Egyptian Nubian relations.
From the grandeur of Abu Simbel,proclaimed Ramesses II's might to all who
ventured south, to the Temple of Isis atPhilae, which remained an active religious
(03:49):
site well into the Christian era.
The site also includes the Templeof Amada, one of the oldest
surviving structures in Nubia.
The impressive Temple of Kalabsha andthe haunting ruins of the Monastery
of St. Simeon, each adding their ownchapter to this remarkable story.
(04:10):
In the early 1960s, Egyptfaced a crucial decision.
The construction of the AswanHigh Dam promised to transform the
nation's economy through irrigationand hydroelectric power, but its
completion would create Lake Nasser:
a massive reservoir that would submergemany of Nubia's most precious monuments.
(04:34):
What followed was one of themost remarkable archaeological
rescue operations in history.
Between 1964 and 1968, the templesof Abu Simbel were systematically
dismantled into 1036 blocks, eachweighing between 20 and 30 tons.
(04:55):
Like an impossibly complex threedimensional puzzle, each block
was carefully numbered, lifted,and transported to a new location.
Engineers didn't just move thetemples, they recreated their entire
environment, building artificial hillsto maintain the original appearance of
the temples carved into living rock.
(05:17):
Even more remarkably, they preservedthe solar alignment that twice
yearly sends the sun's rays into theinnermost sanctuary to illuminate
statues of the seated gods.
The rescue of Philae presenteddifferent challenges.
The island temple complexhad already suffered periodic
flooding after the constructionof the first Aswan Dam in 1902.
(05:42):
The solution was equally ambitious.
The entire temple complex was dismantledinto 40, 000 pieces and reassembled on
the higher ground of Agilkia Island withthe process lasting from 1977 to 1980.
Every stone was catalogued, every reliefphotographed, every architectural detail
(06:07):
measured to ensure perfect reconstruction.
The original construction of thesemonuments was no less impressive
than their modern relocation.
Abu Simbel's Great TempleDedicated to Ra-Horakhty Ptah
and Amun, as well as the deified.
(06:27):
Rames II himself was carved directly intothe sandstone cliff face around 1264 BCE.
The temple's facade dominated byfour seated colossi of Rames ii,
each reaching a height of 20 meters.
It was designed to aweanyone approaching by river.
(06:48):
This was architectural propagandaon an unprecedented scale.
A permanent declaration of Egyptianpower at the empire's southern frontier.
Inside, the temple extends 61 meters intothe cliff, its walls covered with reliefs.
depicting Rameses II's military victories,particularly the Battle of Kadesh.
(07:12):
The temple's interior is a masterworkof ancient engineering, with a series of
progressively smaller chambers creatingan illusion of infinite distance.
The hypostyle wall features eight massivepillars adorned with Osiris statues of
the pharaoh, their eternal gaze followingvisitors as they move through the space.
(07:35):
The smaller temple, dedicated to thegoddess Hathor and queen Nefertari,
is equally remarkable for its time.
It was one of the very few temples wherea queen was depicted the same size as
the pharaoh, signifying her importance.
The temple of Isis at Philae representsa different architectural tradition.
(07:58):
Built during the Ptolemaic periodon an island considered one of
the burial places of Osiris.
It combined Egyptian andHellenistic elements in its design.
Its most striking feature is themassive first pylon, decorated with
reliefs showing Ptolemaic kingssmiting their enemies, an ancient
(08:20):
Egyptian motif adapted for new rulers.
The temple complex includes the elegantkiosk of Trajan, with its fourteen
columns topped by elaborate floralcapitals, and the temple of Hathor,
with its delicate relief carvings.
But these famous monumentsare just part of the story.
(08:42):
The Temple of Amada, one of theoldest surviving structures in
Nubia, showcases the architecturalevolution of the new kingdom.
Built during the 18th dynasty,under Thutmose III, and expanded
by his son, Amenhotep II.
It features some of the finest reliefwork in Nubia, with colors still
(09:03):
vivid after more than three millennia.
The temple bears fascinatingtraces of a Marna period.
Careful observers can spot where the nameof Amun was erased during Akhenaten's
religious reforms and later restored.
The Temple of Kalabsha, thoughbuilt much later during the
(09:24):
Roman period, demonstrates howEgyptian architectural traditions
endured and adapted through time.
Though never fully completed, itshowed how Roman builders interpreted
Egyptian sacred architecture.
The temple's staircase to the roof,offers insights into ancient astronomical
observations and religious rituals.
(09:46):
At Wadi es-Sebua, the site's sphinxlined processional way creates
a dramatic approach that buildsanticipation as worshippers moved
towards the inner sanctuary.
These monuments weren't justdisplays of political power.
They were living centers of religiousand cultural life for thousands of years.
(10:08):
The Temple of Isis at Philae wasthe last active site of ancient
Egyptian religion, continuing to serveworshippers until the 6th century CE.
Even after the rise of Christianity,when other temples were closed or
converted to churches, Special permissionwas granted for the Nubian people to
(10:28):
continue worshiping Isis at Philae.
This remarkable religious persistencespeaks to the deep spiritual significance
of the site and the power of the Isiscult in the ancient Nubian culture.
The walls of Philae tell the story of Isisand Osiris in elaborate relief carvings.
(10:50):
The divine drama of death and resurrectionthat captivated ancient worshipers and
continues to fascinate visitors today.
In these sacred spaces, priestsperform daily rituals to sustain the
goddess and maintain cosmic order.
During major festivals, The statue ofIsis would be carried by boat to visit
(11:11):
the tomb of Osiris on neighboring BiggehIsland, a ceremony that drew thousands of
pilgrims from across the ancient world.
But the religious significance ofthese monuments evolved over time.
When Christianity spread through theregion, the Temple of Amada became
a church in the medieval period, itswalls adorned with Coptic crosses
(11:35):
painted alongside Egyptian hieroglyphs.
At Philae, the Temple of Isis wastransformed into a church dedicated to St.
Stephen, with reliefs modifiedto reflect Christian imagery.
The Monastery of St. Simeon, built inthe 7th century, displays architecture
blending Coptic Christian needs withtraditional Egyptian building techniques.
(11:59):
Abu Simbel's religioussignificance was equally profound.
Twice each year, on February 22ndand October 22nd, with the dates
now shifted slightly due to thetemple's relocation, the rising sun
penetrates the entire length of thetemple to illuminate the statues.
(12:19):
of Ra-Horakhty, Amun, and the deifiedRamesses II in the Inner Sanctuary.
Only the statue of Ptah, associated withthe Underworld, remains in darkness.
This solar alignment, maintainedeven after the temple's relocation,
Demonstrates the sophisticatedastronomical knowledge of ancient
(12:41):
Egyptian architects and their deepunderstanding of solar theology.
The smaller temple at Abu Simbel revealsanother aspect of Egyptian religious life.
The growing importance of royalwomen in religious ritual.
Dedicated to Hathor, thegoddess of love and music.
(13:02):
And to Queen Nefertari, thetemple's imagery shows the queen
making offerings to the gods onequal footing with Ramesses II.
This elevation of the queento divine status represents a
significant theological developmentin ancient Egyptian religion.
(13:22):
The religious influence ofthese monuments extended far
beyond their immediate vicinity.
The cult of Isis, which found its lastrefuge at Philae spread throughout
the Roman Empire and influenced thedevelopment of early Christianity,
particularly in the veneration of Mary.
(13:42):
Even today, some scholars suggest thatthe ancient Egyptian feast of Sham
el Nessim, still celebrated in modernEgypt, has its roots in the religious
traditions once practiced at Philae.
Today, these monumentsface new challenges.
The very waters they were saved fromcontinue to affect them through changes
(14:05):
in humidity and salt crystallization.
Climate change poses additional threats,with extreme temperature fluctuations
stressing ancient stone that wasnever meant to endure such conditions.
Yet these challenges have also spurredinnovation in conservation techniques.
The international cooperation thatsaved these monuments in the 1960s
(14:29):
continues today through ongoingpreservation efforts, archaeological
research, and the development ofnew methods to protect ancient stone
from modern environmental threats.
Here's something remarkable.
When Abu Simbel was rediscoveredin 1813 by a Swiss explorer, it was
(14:49):
almost completely buried in sand.
This accidental preservationhelped protect its vivid colors
and delicate reliefs for centuries.
When an Italian explorer finallymanaged to enter the temple, just
four years later, he found theinterior decorations so well preserved
(15:09):
that they appear to havebeen carved just yesterday.
This site holds other fascinating secrets.
At the Temple of Kalabsha, visitorscan find an inscription from 250 CE
prohibiting pigs in the temple, one of theearliest known animal control ordinances.
And at Philae, careful observers canspot where ancient Christians carefully
(15:34):
chiseled away hieroglyphs they consideredpagan, except for the figures of Horus,
whom they associated with Jesus Christ.
As the sun sets over Lake Nasser, castinglong shadows across the reconstructed
temples, It's worth remembering that everystone you see has been moved and replaced
(15:55):
with precision that would have impressedeven the ancient Egyptian architects.
These monuments stand as testimony,not only to ancient engineering, but
to modern determination to preserveour shared cultural heritage.
Now, before you plan to visitthese remarkable sites, let's talk
about some of the things you shouldkeep in mind as you're planning.
(16:18):
If you're flying in from another country,you'll want to use Aswan Airport.
You likely will have a stopoverin Cairo, and then have a 1.
5 hour flight to Aswan.
My understanding is you have to booka tour in order to see Abu Simbel.
You can't just show up and buya ticket on site for a self
guided or even guided tour.
(16:39):
There are a wide varietyof different types of tours
available on booking sites though.
Honestly, this really is to your benefit,as you'll miss a lot of the context if
you don't hear the history and importancefrom a tour guide, which likely will
be an Egyptologist, someone who is anexpert in Egyptian history and culture.
(17:00):
The tours aren't cheap, but typicallyyou'll either see Abu Simbel or Philae.
Though you can take a combination tour.
Just know that these are long days.
And when I say long, I mean at leastan 8 to 12 hour day, if not more.
I would argue it's totally worth it,especially since you'll be driven
(17:21):
around in an air conditioned buswith everything arranged for you.
Again, Book tours and accommodationsearly, as it's one of the most popular
tourist sites in Egypt, drawing atleast a couple hundred visitors daily.
Also, keep in mind that theprimary language is Arabic.
While they often speak Englishat major tourist sites, it's
(17:44):
still helpful to have someone whospeaks it fluently guiding you.
Outside the monuments, while you'rein the area, you may want to visit the
Aswan Botanical Garden, take a camelride, Or a motorboat ride to Philae.
There are some hotel and dining optionsavailable once you're a bit away from
the site, though you may want to askyour hotel or tour guide for suggestions.
(18:08):
If you're interested in tryingsome more popular dishes,
shawarma is a great introduction.
It's a common street food.
They take a meat like lamb, sometimesbeef or chicken, and cook it on a
spit, then slice it and serve it withflatbread and tahini or a yogurt sauce.
If you're craving somethingsweet, baklava is truly special.
(18:31):
It's a phyllo dough made with walnutsor pistachios and tons of honey.
It is so decadent and addictive.
Just make sure to have tea orcoffee, as the bitter is a nice
counterbalance to the sweetness.
Just some tips I'll add to the mix (18:45):
in terms of weather, It's generally between
80 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit betweenthe months of March and November, with
the temperature dropping to as low as 48degrees Fahrenheit at night in December.
If traveling during the summermonths, Make sure to pack sunscreen
and dress modestly, despite the heat.
(19:08):
Cash may be preferred at markets, andthe currency is the Egyptian pound.
Tipping at restaurants and of tour guidesis commonplace, though not required.
Now, let's pivot and round out today'sepisode by talking about the steps being
taken to make sure the site can continueto receive visitors into the future.
(19:30):
We touched on some of the stepshistorically taken, but let's
focus on what they're doing now.
First off, this property isincredibly large and spread out.
That in itself makes taking careof it expensive and time consuming.
The main issues the monuments face isdue to the fact that they're adversely
impacted by the wind, temperature changes,rain, humidity, and even bird droppings.
(19:57):
Also, even though tourism helps withthe budget to upkeep the site, the
negative impacts of over tourismand visitation weigh heavily.
Just a couple years ago, someonewas arrested for trying to
take one of the monuments.
So when you visit, please berespectful, and do not try to take
anything with you as a souvenir.
(20:17):
Despite the long standing threatto their very existence, the Nubian
monuments have survived and thrived.
These monuments are a triumphand tribute to one of the most
important parts of human history.
In our next episode, we'll take youto a different part of the world,
the old city of Dubrovnik in Croatia.
(20:41):
Positioned on the Dalmatian coast,Dubrovnik was a key militaristic,
political, and economic city, filled withsweeping architecture and a rich history.
Until then, keep exploring, keepwondering, and keep treasuring
the remarkable diversityof our world's heritage.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!