Approximately 3,800 foreign tourists and 1,200 Egyptians witnessed the alignment of the sun on King Ramses II’s statue at Abu Simbel temple, Aswan, a phenomenon that occurs twice a year, marking key dates in the pharaoh’s life.
Ministers of tourism, antiquities, and culture, as well as Aswan Governor Magdy Hegazy witnessed the phenomenon.
The first alignment takes place each year on February 22, marking his assumption to the throne and the start of the summer and harvest seasons for ancient Egyptians, and the second on October 22, marking his birthday.
Hossam Abboud, director of the Abu Simbel antiquities area, said that the phenomenon began at 6:24 am and lasted for 20 minutes, during which the sun’s rays moved 60 meters inside the temple.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
