Abu Simbel, Egypt

This great temple, dedicated to the sun god Ra-Horakhti, took over 25 years to build and employed in excess of 25,000 workers. Constructed by Pharaoh Ramses II, the facade is 33 meters high, and 38 meters wide, and guarded by four 60 foot statues of the pharaoh. This temple is unique, as the sun shines directly on the deity inside only two days a year : February 21, the King's birthday, and October 22, the date of his coronation. The temple attracted worldwide attention when it was threatened by flooding in 1959. The salvage of the Abu Simbel temples began in 1963, and cost some 36 million dollars. Once again, the Abu Simbel temples were relocated on the plateau to greet the sunrise every morning.