Mind-Blowing Landmarks You Have To See To Believe

11. The Temple of Abu Simbel – Egypt

The twin temples of Abu Simbel, located in southern Egypt near the Sudanese border, are a testament to the grandeur of ancient Egyptian architecture. Built during the reign of Pharaoh Ramses II (circa 1264 BCE), the temples are carved directly into a sandstone cliff overlooking the Nile River. The larger temple is dedicated to Ramses II and features four colossal statues of the pharaoh seated on his throne, each over 20 meters tall. Inside, the temples are adorned with intricate carvings depicting the pharaoh’s military victories and his divine status. Remarkably, the temples were relocated in the 1960s to save them from being submerged by the construction of the Aswan High Dam. This massive engineering project involved cutting the temples into blocks and reassembling them on higher ground. Today, Abu Simbel is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a symbol of both ancient ingenuity and modern preservation efforts.