About: This festival celebrates the combination of human endeavor and natural phenomena, and provides one of the most spectacular sights in the world. It celebrates Ramses II’s precision and architectural egotism. He carefully angled his temple at Abu Simbel so that twice a year – once on the 22nd of February (the anniversary of his rise to the throne), and once on the 22nd of October (his birthday) – the first rays of the morning sun shone down the entire length of the temple cave, to illuminate the back wall of the innermost shrine and the statues of the four gods seated there. Impressively, it is only the inner sanctum that lights up. After viewing this spectacular event, visitors can join the celebrations outside.
Venue: Abu Simbel, Egypt
Contact: +44 208 923 8700
Email: info@arabiatourism.co.uk