Egypt Temples - Abu Simbel and Philae - Version 1.0 The Egyptian temples at Philae and Abu Simbel were rescued from the rising waters of the Nile in the 1960's. Abu Simbel was built by Ramesses the Great and Philiae dates from Cleopatra's time. The 34 views in this screen saver include the light show at Philae. The two Temples at Abu Simbel are oriented to the sunrise and sit on the bank of the Nile. Anyone sailing from Nubia down the Nile knew that this was the territory of the Pharaoh.