![An interior view of Abu Simbel temples in Aswan, Egypt on 22 February 2017 [İbrahim Ramadan/Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/2018_2-22-Sun-rises-on-Ramesses-II-statue-in-Egypt20180222_2_28848773_31000960.jpg?w=797&h=531&ssl=1 "Sun 'rises' on Ramesses II statue in Egypt")
An interior view of Abu Simbel temples in Aswan, Egypt on 22 February 2017 [İbrahim Ramadan/Anadolu Agency]
![Visitors arrive to monitor the sunbeams on the statues of King Ramesses II at Abu Simbel in Aswan, Egypt on 22 February 2017 This occurrence happens twice per a year for twenty minutes on Ramses II’s coronation day, 22nd February, and his birthday, 22nd October [İbrahim Ramadan/Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/2018_2-22-Sun-rises-on-Ramesses-II-statue-in-Egypt20180222_2_28848773_31000952.jpg?w=395&h=264&ssl=1 "Sun 'rises' on Ramesses II statue in Egypt")
Visitors arrive to monitor the sunbeams on the statues of King Ramesses II at Abu Simbel in Aswan, Egypt on 22 February 2017 This occurrence happens twice per a year for twenty minutes on Ramses II’s coronation day, 22nd February, and his birthday, 22nd October [İbrahim Ramadan/Anadolu Agency]
![Visitors take photos as sunbeams light up the statues of King Ramesses II at Abu Simbel in Aswan, Egypt on 22 February 2017 [İbrahim Ramadan/Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/2018_2-22-Sun-rises-on-Ramesses-II-statue-in-Egypt20180222_2_28848773_31000949.jpg?w=395&h=263&ssl=1 "Sun 'rises' on Ramesses II statue in Egypt")
Visitors take photos as sunbeams light up the statues of King Ramesses II at Abu Simbel in Aswan, Egypt on 22 February 2017 [İbrahim Ramadan/Anadolu Agency]
![Visitors take photos as sunbeams light up the statues of King Ramesses II at Abu Simbel in Aswan, Egypt on 22 February 2017 [İbrahim Ramadan/Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/2018_2-22-Sun-rises-on-Ramesses-II-statue-in-Egypt20180222_2_28848773_31000947.jpg?w=596&h=397&ssl=1 "Sun 'rises' on Ramesses II statue in Egypt")
Visitors take photos as sunbeams light up the statues of King Ramesses II at Abu Simbel in Aswan, Egypt on 22 February 2017 [İbrahim Ramadan/Anadolu Agency]
Sunbeams light up the statues of King Ramesses II at Abu Simbel in Aswan, Egypt on 22 February 2018 [İbrahim Ramadan/Anadolu Agency]