Abu Gurab Attractions

Some 71mi/12km south of the Pyramids of Giza and 3mi/1km northwest of the Pyramids of Abusir, on the edge of the desert, are the imposing remains of the Sun-Temples of Abu Gurab, built by Pharaoh Niuserre (fifth Dynasty) to mark the 30th anniversary of his accession.

Of the six sun-temples which are known to have been built during the fifth Dynasty (c. 2465 - c. 2325 B.C.), when the solar cult was declared the State religion and successive rulers took the name of "son of Re [the sun god]", only two have been identified - the well preserved Temple of Abu Gurab and the nearby temple erected by Userkaf. The Temple of Abu Gurab is said to have been modeled on the Great Temple of the Sun at Heliopolis.

The temple, formerly known as the Pyramid of Righa, was excavated in 1898-1901 by the German archeologist Ludwig Borchardt (1863-1938) on behalf of the Berlin Museum. The various finds made during the excavations, including in particular the many fine bas reliefs with which the walls were covered, can now be seen in the museums of Cairo and Berlin.