The Grand Egyptian Museum

The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) in Giza is a state-of-the-art cultural landmark housing Egypt's vast archaeological treasures. Slated to be the largest archaeological museum in the world, GEM offers visitors an unparalleled journey through Egypt's ancient history and iconic artifacts.

 

This New Egyptian Museum is a realm of divine creations made of pure magic and wonder. It displays artistic awakenings, mythological beliefs, and historical progress. It is designed to ensure these treasures survive for generations to come.

 

Described as the largest archaeological museum in the world, GEM will accommodate 5 million visitors a year. The museum It will exhibit the complete King Tutankhamun collection, with many pieces displayed for the first time.

 

At a cost of one billion dollars, primarily financed by two Japanese government loans totaling 300 million dollars, the GEM represents a monumental investment in preserving Egypt's heritage.

The Grand Egyptian Museum Overview

 

 

The Grand Egyptian Museum showcases over 50,000 artifacts and aims to provide a comprehensive view of Egypt's rich history from prehistory through the Greco-Roman period. Like the great Library of Alexandria, the design of the building was decided through an architectural competition. Announced on January 7, 2002, the competition received 1,557 entries from 82 countries, making it the second-largest architectural competition in history.

 

In the second stage, 20 entries were asked to submit additional details about their designs. Judging was completed by June 2, 2003, and the company Heneghan Peng from Dublin, Ireland, emerged as the winner, earning $250,000 and the opportunity to see their design come to life.

 

The Grand Egyptian Museum was constructed by the Belgian company BESIX in a joint venture with Orascom Construction (OC) as the official contractor at a cost of $810 million. The principal architects were Róisín Heneghan and Shi-Fu Peng from Heneghan Peng, with Arup as the leading structural engineer and Buro Happold as the services engineer. To witness the milestones of the GEM, everyone can book our incredible Sun Pyramids Tour at the Grand Egyptian Museum.

The Grand Egyptian Museum Location

 

 

Situated on the Giza Plateau, the Grand Egyptian Museum lies just 2 km from the Great Pyramids. Its strategic location offers stunning views and easy access, making it a prime destination for tourists exploring Egypt's ancient wonders.

The Grand Egyptian Museum Design

 

 

The GEM boasts a modern design with vast exhibition halls, a grand staircase, and a glass facade facing the pyramids. Inside, visitors will find galleries, a children's museum, conference centers, and state-of-the-art conservation labs. The design of the museum utilizes the level difference to construct a new "Edge" to the plateau, a surface defined by a veil of translucent stone that magically transforms from day to night.

 

The museum exists between the level of the Nile River and the plateau, seamlessly integrating into the landscape. It sits on a site 2 km west of the Giza pyramids and funerary monuments, near a motorway interchange. The building's north and south walls align perfectly with the Great Pyramid of Khufu and the Pyramid of Menkaure, creating a direct visual connection with these ancient wonders.

 

The Grand Egyptian Museum is designed to include the latest advanced technology, such as virtual reality, augmented reality, interactive exhibits, 3D models, and more. These features will enhance the visitor experience, providing an immersive and engaging journey through Egypt's history.

 

Additionally, the museum will serve as an international center of communication, promoting direct contact and collaboration with other local and international museums. This interconnected approach ensures that GEM will be a hub of cultural exchange and preservation, furthering its mission to safeguard Egypt's heritage for future generations.

What Inside the GEM

 

 

Inside the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), visitors will find galleries, a children's museum, conference centers, and state-of-the-art conservation labs. The museum holds 122 highly advanced displays designed by the Italian company Goppion, which offer ideal protection for organic, artistic, and fragile artifacts.

 

One of the museum's highlights is the 3,200-year-old, 82-ton statue of Ramses the Great, which stands majestically in the atrium. Additionally, there is a hall dedicated to King Khufu's Solar Boat, both transported from the Giza Complex. The Grand Egyptian Museum will also feature a children's museum, conference center, training center, and workshops reminiscent of ancient Pharaonic places.

 

A critical area within the museum is the restoration center, which covers 32,000 square meters and is situated 10 meters underground. It is connected to the museum by a 300-meter tunnel, which is used for transporting artifacts after restoration. The center includes 19 laboratories dedicated to preserving and restoring various ancient Egyptian artifacts. These labs include facilities for vases, glass, and metal artifacts, a wood lab for artifacts made from wood, and a stone lab for statues.

 

A specialized microbiological lab is dedicated to protecting artifacts by identifying and eliminating harmful microorganisms. The center also houses a microscope scanner lab for preparing and examining samples.

 

Additionally, a human remains lab, known as the "Mummies Lab," is responsible for restoring the mummies of ancient Egyptian kings, queens, workers, and even animals like cats and birds.

 

The exterior design of the Grand Egyptian Museum is a modern interpretation of classic Egyptian architecture, focusing on environmental sustainability. Key features include a triangular pyramid-shaped main building with a sloping roof rising to around 50 meters, paying homage to Egypt's ancient pyramids.

 

 The high-performance glass facade allows natural light to flood the interior and helps regulate the temperature, reducing the need for artificial cooling.

 

The exterior is decorated with laser-cut limestone, and the roof is covered with solar panels arranged to mimic the Nile River delta. These panels generate renewable energy to power the museum's lighting and electrical systems.

 

The grounds feature gardens and landscaped areas that cool the environment and promote biodiversity, including native Egyptian plants that connect visitors to the country's natural heritage.

The Architecture of the Grand Egyptian Museum Area

 

 

Designed by Heneghan Peng Architects, the Grand Egyptian Museum's architecture features a translucent stone facade and open spaces. The building's layout seamlessly integrates with the surrounding landscape, providing a visually stunning and immersive experience. The Grand Egyptian Museum spans 480,000 square meters (5,200,000 sq ft) with a floor area of 81,000 square meters (870,000 sq ft), located approximately 2 km (1.2 miles) northwest of the Giza pyramids and 15 km from Cairo.

 

This prime location is part of a new master plan for the plateau.

In front of the building is a large plaza adorned with numerous date palms, adding to the museum's aesthetic appeal. One of the leading architectural features is the translucent stone wall made of pure alabaster, which forms the front facade of the building. This alabaster wall allows natural light to illuminate the interior, creating a unique and welcoming atmosphere.

 

Inside the main entrance of the Grand Egyptian Museum is a vast atrium where giant statues, including those of Ramses the Great, will be exhibited. The GEM is envisioned as a cultural complex dedicated to Egyptology, encompassing 24,000 square meters of permanent exhibition space—almost the size of four football fields. The 50-hectare site also includes a children's museum, a large conference center, educational facilities, and extensive gardens.

 

The actual construction work began on February 2, 2010, when Hill International announced that Egypt's Ministry of Culture had signed a contract with a joint venture of Hill and EHAF Consulting Engineers to provide project management services during the design and construction phases of the Grand Egyptian Museum. This collaborative effort aims to ensure that the GEM becomes a state-of-the-art facility that celebrates and preserves Egypt's rich cultural heritage.

Exhibits of the Grand Egyptian Museum

 

 

The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) will display a vast collection of artifacts, including the complete Tutankhamun collection. Visitors will explore exhibits detailing ancient Egyptian civilization, from royal mummies to everyday objects used thousands of years ago. The museum will cover about one-third of the total museum grounds, showcasing more than 100,000 artifacts from various periods, many of which have never been seen before.

 

The main attraction will be the first exhibition of the full tomb collection of King Tutankhamun, featuring around 5,000 items that will be relocated from The Egyptian Museum in Cairo. This comprehensive display will offer an unprecedented look at the treasures of the young pharaoh. Other significant artifacts will be brought in from storages and museums across Egypt, including the great statue of Amenhotep III and a four-ton pink granite statue of the god Horus. These items will come from Luxor, Aswan, Minya, Sohag, Assiut, Beni Suef, Fayoum, the Delta, and Alexandria.

 

The Grand Egyptian Museum will provide visitors with a unique and comprehensive view of ancient Egyptian civilization, highlighting the grandeur and daily life of one of history's most fascinating cultures. This collection will be a testament to Egypt's rich heritage, preserved and showcased in a state-of-the-art facility designed to inspire and educate future generations.

What You Can See During the Limited GEM Tours?

 

During the limited GEM tours, visitors can preview key exhibits, such as the colossal statue of Ramses II and select artifacts from Tutankhamun’s tomb. These exclusive tours offer a glimpse of the museum’s grandeur before its official opening. During the limited tour of the soft opening, everyone will cast their eyes on the following attractions:

• The Conservation Centre: Witness the meticulous restoration processes preserving Egypt’s priceless artifacts.

• Solar Boat of King Khufu: Marvel at this ancient wonder, which once sailed the Nile and is now meticulously reconstructed.

• Hanging Obelisk: A unique architectural feat displaying an obelisk suspended in mid-air.

• King Ramses II Statue: Admire the colossal statue of one of Egypt’s most famous pharaohs.

• 10 Statues of King Senusert: Explore the impressive statues of this notable Middle Kingdom ruler.

• Grand Staircase: Walk the grand staircase adorned with significant historical statues and relics.

• Statues of Ptolemaic King and Queen: Discover the majestic statues representing the Ptolemaic dynasty’s royalty.

• The Victory Column of King Merneptah: Observe this ancient column celebrating the victories of King Merneptah.

• The Royal Regalia: View the exquisite royal regalia that adorned Egypt’s ancient monarchs.

• Grand Atrium & Gift Shop: Enjoy the breathtaking atrium filled with artifacts and the well-curated gift shop for souvenirs.

These limited tours at the Grand Egyptian Museum offer a unique opportunity to experience the majesty and meticulous craftsmanship of ancient Egypt, providing a captivating prelude to the museum’s full opening.

 

Cairo Tours: Exploring The Grand Egyptian Museum and More

Discover the wonders of the Grand Egyptian Museum with Sun Pyramids Tours. Our expert guides offer in-depth tours of the GEM and other historical sites in Cairo. Immerse yourself in Egypt’s ancient treasures, including the complete Tutankhamun collection and the colossal statues of Ramses II.

 

Book today to explore Egypt’s vibrant culture and rich history with Sun Pyramids Tours. Check out our Grand Egyptian Museum tours and Nile river cruises for a dream vacation. Experience the magic of Egypt with us.

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