Facade of the Great Temple of Abu Simbel: detail of one of the colossi
Facade of the Great Temple of Abu Simbel: detail of one of the colossi representing the ruler. The façade is pylon-like and is dominated by the four 22-metre-high colossal statues of Ramesses II, which show the pharaoh wearing the nemes headdress, the crown of Upper and Lower Egypt, the uraeus and a false beard. The statues to the south (left) are called 'Ramesses, sun of kings' and 'ruler of the two lands', those to the north (right) 'Ramesses beloved of Amun' and 'beloved of Atum'. On the left, the entrance is crowned by a bas-relief of the ruler making offerings to the falcon-headed god Ra-Horakhty placed inside a niche.
