Visitors flock to Abu Simbel Temple to watch solar alignment phenomenon

CAIRO – 22 October 2020: In the early hours of October 22, visitors from around the world observed the unique biannual phenomenon of the solar alignment on the statue of Ramses II in Abu Simbel Temple, while adhering to all safety measures implemented in archaeological sites and museums nationwide.

During the solar alignment, sun rays enter the temple’s sanctum to light three of four statues.

The three statues belong to King Ramses II and the deities Amun-Re and Re-Hur-Akhty, leaving the God of Darkness Ptah in shadow to symbolize his connection to the underworld.

The Head of the Antiquities Sector in Aswan and Nuba Abdel-Moneim said that the alignment phenomenon took place at around 5:52am and lasted for nearly 20 minutes.

He added that a number of foreign tourists, Arabs and Egyptian visitors flocked to the temple to enjoy watching this unique phenomenon, which happens twice every year, on October 22nd and February 22nd. 

It’s a phenomenon that attracts the world's attention, as the sun's rays infirtlate the temple, to reach temple’s sanctum, which is about sixty meters away from the entrance.

He asserted that all hygiene, safety and precautionary measures were taken, social distancing was applied and visitors wore masks inside the temple.