SAEDNEWS: The Grand Egyptian Museum finally opens after 20 years of construction. Spanning over 500,000 square meters and costing around $1.2 billion, the museum sits near the iconic Giza Pyramids and claims the title of the world’s largest archaeological museum.
According to the History and Culture Service of Saed News, the museum spans a single floor with 12 halls, housing over 100,000 historical artifacts from prehistoric times to the Roman era.
🏛 Designed by the Irish firm Heneghan Peng Architects, the project involved more than 300 experts from 13 countries. The architecture draws inspiration from hieroglyphic lines and the geometric structure of the pyramids, while its entrance is adorned with an 11-meter-tall, 3,200-year-old statue of Ramses II. Positioned in the main hall, this iconic statue has become one of the museum’s defining symbols.
🪔 At the heart of the building, the Grand Staircase guides visitors from the entrance to the upper levels. Conceptualized as a timeline, the staircase showcases statues and artifacts from ancient Egypt in chronological order. At its pinnacle, visitors are treated to a stunning view of the Giza Pyramids, highlighting the seamless connection between the museum and Egypt’s ancient heritage.
👑 One of the museum’s most remarkable sections is the Tutankhamun Hall, where all 5,300 artifacts discovered from his tomb are displayed together for the first time. The collection includes the golden mask, royal jewelry, ceremonial vessels, and funerary items, offering a comprehensive glimpse into the culture, beliefs, and lifestyle of the ancient Egyptian court.
🚤 Another standout exhibit is the 4,500-year-old funerary boat of Khufu, used in ancient times for religious rituals and symbolic journeys. After years of meticulous restoration, the boat now resides in a dedicated hall open to the public.
📈 The Egyptian government aims to attract up to eight million visitors annually with the official opening of the museum, and through its national tourism program, it plans to increase the number of tourists to 30 million by 2030. Efforts are also underway to repatriate key historical artifacts, including the Rosetta Stone, the Dendera Zodiac, and Nefertiti’s bust, back to Egypt.
