Abu Simbel Sun Festival in Egypt
February 22 · Level 10 · #85 of 2238
At Abu Simbel, the rising sun reaches deep into Ramesses II's temple to illuminate statues in its sanctuary. The festival marks this twice-yearly alignment, offering a vivid glimpse of ancient Egyptian architecture working with the sun.
How it is celebrated: visitors gather before dawn to watch sunlight enter the temple. Folk performances, music and cultural programmes accompany the occasion, bringing a festive atmosphere to the archaeological site.
The alignment survived a remarkable move. In the 1960s, the temple was cut into blocks and rebuilt on higher ground to save it from the rising reservoir.