Abu Simbel is a small town located on the Western Bank of Lake Nasser , about 290 kilometers southwest of
Aswan
and only 50 kilometers away from the southern borders with Sudan . It has a small airport that serves the tourists visiting
Ramses II
and Nefertari Temples . The importance of the city is attributed to the existence of the two renowned temples of Nefertari and
Ramsses II
that date back to the
Predynastic
era . With the passage of time , the temples Abu Simbel were abandoned and the sand-storms covered them completely . From time to time , the wind removed the sand and revealed parts of the faces of the colossi of Ramses II . This created a sense of mystery , fantasy and fear among the local population and the Nomades . The discovery of Abu Simbel Temples began in 1813 when J . L . Burckhardt , Swiss Orientalist , found the top frieze of the main temple . He told Giovanni Belzoni , one of the most famous explorers in the world at that time , about his discovery . Belzoni traveled to the site , but was unable to dig out an entry to the temple . In 1817 ,
the actual discovery of the temple happened when Belzoni returned to Abu Simbel and managed to at last enter the temple and took hold of all the portable objects he could transport .
