Wadi El Seboua On the banks of Lake Nasser,Wadi el-Seboua, "The Valley of the Lions", is so named because of the rows of sphinxes that flank the entrance, leading to three temples that rise out of orange sands in shades of red sandstone. Built under the tutelage of Ramses II, the temples were dedicated to Re-Herakhte and Amun-re, though the falcon-headed sphinxes are indicative of devotion to Horus. Wandering around the site, you will discover an open court with statues of Ramses, as well as images of the pharoah's lineage and other colossal statues throughout. Rock-cut reliefs in yellow, white and red pigments are remarkably evident, particularly in the image of Hathor and in an image of Ramses near the doorway in the main temple's court. You will also see an intriguing mix of ancient belief with Christian symbolism in a tableau of Ramses and St. Peter, remains of Christian wall paintings from when the site was converted to a church. |