The Great Egyptian Museum in Giza has (almost) opened to visitors – and pictures show what a spectacular sight it is.
Tourists have been waiting a long time to see behind the doors of the world’s largest archaeological museum. Although the foundation stone was laid by former president Mubarak in 2002, several long delays caused the grand museum’s opening date to be postponed several times.
The good news is that many of the museum’s galleries are now open to visitors as part of a limited access trial.
They can marvel at the only Hanging Obelisk in the world, see the treasures of Queen Hetepheres and admire the 11m- (36ft) tall statue of Ramses II, which greets tourists in the museum’s cavernous Grand Hall.
So far the gallery’s 12 exhibition rooms are open, with artifacts from prehistoric times to the Roman Empire.
The Great Egyptian Museum has (almost) opened to visitors – and pictures show what a spectacular sight it is
Tourists have been waiting a long time to see behind the door
Although the foundation stone was laid by former president Mubarak in 2002, several delays caused the opening date of the museum to be postponed several times.
To date, the gallery’s 12 exhibition rooms are open with artifacts from prehistoric times to the Roman Empire.
However, you will have to wait for a glimpse of Tutankhamun’s treasure.
The golden mask and sarcophagus of the ancient pharaoh are still in the original museum in Cairo’s Tahrir Square, while the items that have been moved to the new site are not yet on display.
The solar barge, a 42m- (137ft) long cedarwood boat designed to transport Pharaoh Khufu across the sky and one of the museum’s most famous treasures, is also yet to be exhibited.
Visitors can marvel at the world’s only Hanging Obelisk, see the treasures of Queen Hetepheres and admire the 11m tall statue of Ramses II that greets tourists in the museum’s Grand Hall (above)
Visitors must wait to see Tutankhamun’s treasure. The golden mask and sarcophagus of the ancient pharaohs are still in the original museum in Tahrir Square while the items that have been moved have not been put on display. Above – Pharaonic statue in the new museum
Tourists can book tickets to the Grand Egyptian Museum which is open for a limited time online
Despite the missing items, a Times reporter who visited the museum said: ‘Ancient Egyptian art is so beautiful … you can take anything out of an old museum dusty display case, mount it and light it properly and it will look incredible. This is what the curators did and the effect is amazing.’
‘KatrinaGT’, who visited the museum, wrote on Tripadvisor: ‘The museum’s stunning architecture and carefully curated exhibits make it a world-class destination, perfect for anyone who wants to experience the grandeur of ancient Egypt firsthand.’
Another visitor, ‘Frances S’, said: ‘We were lucky to be able to visit GEM shortly after the soft opening on 16 October. Egypt has put a lot of thought and effort into this museum from the architecture, pyramid viewpoints, exhibitions, open spaces, gift shops, to restaurants and cafes.’
Tourists can book tickets for the limited opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum at visit-gem.com. Tickets for non-Egyptians cost EGY1200 (£19.05/$24), while children’s tickets cost EGY600 (£9.52/$12.26).
Tickets for non-Egyptians cost EGY1200 (£19.05/$24) while children’s tickets cost EGY600 (£9.52/$12.26)
‘KatrinaGT’, who visited the museum, wrote on Tripadvisor: ‘The museum’s stunning architecture and carefully curated exhibits make it a world-class destination’
Reviewer ‘Frances S’ said: ‘We were lucky to be able to visit GEM shortly after the October 16 soft opening. Egypt has put a lot of thought and effort into this museum.
