More than 4,000 tourists visited the temple of King Ramses II temple in Abu Simbel, Aswan, on Monday to see the annual solar-alignment phenomenon, whereby the sun shines deep into the temple's inner chamber, illuminating several statues there.
The ministers of antiquities and culture, Mamdouh al-Damaty and Helmy al-Namnam, attended the event along with Aswan Governor Magdy Hegazy.
The general director of Abu Simbel Antiquities Department, Hossam Abboud, said the solar phenomenon was largely obscured by fog, although every effort was made to ensure it was visible.
He said he expected an increase in the number of tourists visiting the temple over the next few days.
The phenomenon occurs twice a year, in October and February.
Between 1964 and 1968, the temple was relocated by engineers and archaeologists to rescue it from rising water levels resulting from the construction of the Aswan High Dam.
The operation is considered one of the biggest archaeological salvage projects in history.
Edited translation from MENA
