The small temple was created for the first wife of the Pharaoh-Nefertari, and the patron goddess in it is Hathor.
Ramses, constantly concerned about his own glorification, ordered the construction of a much smaller temple next to his masterpiece (no more than 10 meters long), dedicated to his wife Nefertari: in Egypt, no spouse of the Pharaoh was ever depicted on the facade of the temple, only the wife of Ramses II was awarded this honor.
The small temple of Abu Simbel is located a hundred meters North of the big one and is dedicated to the goddess Hathor, who was usually depicted as a woman with a cow’s head. It is much simpler and more modest than the Big one, and consists of a columned hall carved in the rocks and a sanctuary with three niches. The facade of the Small temple is decorated with six full-length figures. Between the statues of Pharaoh Ramses II, statues of his wife Nefertari-Merenmut are placed here.
The sculptures stand in deep, shaded niches, so that the sun creates a play of light and shadow, enhancing the impression of these monumental figures.
On one of the pillars of the Small temple is carved an inscription: “Ramses, strong in truth, the favorite of Amun, created this divine dwelling for his beloved wife Nefertari.” In the sanctuary of the Lesser temple, in the Central niche, there was a statue of a sacred cow, in the form of which the goddess Hathor was worshipped. Before it was depicted the Pharaoh Ramses II, who was as if under the protection of the goddess.
