Grand Egyptian Museum Opens, Showcasing 50,000 Artifacts

The long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum is set to officially open on Saturday, marking a pivotal moment in Egypt’s cultural landscape. Located just outside Cairo and adjacent to the iconic Giza Pyramids, this monumental facility underscores the government’s efforts to boost tourism, a critical source of revenue for the nation.

About the Grand Egyptian Museum

With a budget of $1 billion, the Grand Egyptian Museum aims to be the largest museum dedicated to a single civilization, hosting over 50,000 artifacts that illustrate the grandeur of ancient Egypt. In comparison, the Louvre Museum in Paris houses approximately 35,000 pieces.

The museum is part of President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi’s broader initiative to revitalize Egypt’s economy, which has faced challenges since the 2011 Arab Spring. Construction began in 2005, but progress was halted for three years due to political unrest. The grand opening has seen multiple delays, the latest being in July, affected by regional conflicts.

Architectural Highlights

Designed by Heneghan Peng Architects from Ireland, the museum features a striking triangular glass façade that mirrors the nearby pyramids. The entrance atrium boasts the impressive granite statue of Ramesses the Great, which once adorned a busy roundabout in Cairo.

The museum comprises:

• 24,000 square meters (258,000 square feet) of exhibition space.
• A children’s museum and educational facilities.
• A large conservation center.
• 12 main galleries organized by historical periods and themes.

This space includes many artifacts transferred from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo’s Tahrir Square, alongside newly uncovered items from ancient burial sites like Saqqara.

Exhibits and Features

The museum’s grand opening will showcase two new halls dedicated to the collection of King Tutankhamun. For the first time, 5,000 artifacts from the young pharaoh’s tomb will be displayed together. These treasures were previously limited by exhibition space constraints.

The exhibition will feature:

• Golden throne and burial mask of King Tutankhamun.
• Three restored funeral beds and six chariots.
• The 4,600-year-old solar boat of King Khufu, measuring 43 meters (140 feet).

Advanced technology aids in presenting these pieces. Multi-media displays and mixed-reality presentations will engage younger audiences, according to the museum’s CEO, Ahmed Ghoneim.

Tourism Prospects

The Grand Egyptian Museum is expected to revitalize tourism in Egypt, contributing crucial foreign currency to the economy. Egypt welcomed a record 15.7 million tourists in 2024 and aims for 30 million visitors by 2032. Significant infrastructure improvements around the museum and the pyramids aim to facilitate access. This includes new roads, a metro station, and Sphinx International Airport, located 40 minutes away.

The museum is anticipated to attract between 15,000 and 20,000 visitors daily, according to Hassan Allam, CEO of the operating firm, Hassan Allam Holding. His remarks underscore the worldwide excitement for this landmark institution.