The Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza has (almost) completely opened to visitors, and images reveal that the exhibits are spectacular.
Tourists have had to wait a long time to take a look behind the doors of what is the largest archaeological museum in the world. Although the foundation stone was laid by former President Mubarak in 2002, a long series of delays meant that the opening date of the huge museum was 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 world’s only Hanging Obelisk, see the treasures of Queen Hetepheres, and admire the 36-foot-tall (11 m) statue of Ramses II, which greets tourists in the museum’s cavernous Great Hall.
So far 12 of the galleries’ exhibition rooms are open, with artifacts ranging from the prehistoric era to the Roman Empire.
The Grand Egyptian Museum is (almost) completely open to visitors, and pictures reveal that the exhibits are spectacular.
Tourists have had to wait a long time to get a peek behind the doors.
Although the foundation stone was laid by former President Mubarak in 2002, a series of delays caused the museum’s opening date to be postponed several times.
So far, 12 of the galleries’ exhibition rooms are open with artifacts spanning from the prehistoric era to the Roman Empire.
However, you will have to wait to take a look at Tutankhamun’s treasures.
The ancient pharaoh’s gold mask and sarcophagus are still in the original museum in Cairo’s Tahrir Square, while items that have been moved to the new site are not yet on display.
The solar barge, a 42 m (137 ft) long cedar wood vessel designed to transport Pharaoh Khufu through the skies and one of the museum’s most famous treasures, has not yet been displayed.
Visitors can marvel at the world’s only Hanging Obelisk, see the treasures of Queen Hetepheres and admire the 11m-high statue of Ramses II that greets tourists in the museum’s cavernous Great Hall (above).
Visitors will have to wait to catch a glimpse of Tutankhamun’s treasures. The ancient pharaoh’s gold mask and sarcophagus are still in the original museum in Tahrir Square, while items that have been moved are not yet on display. Above: pharaonic statues in the new museum.
Tourists can book a ticket online for the limited opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum
Despite the missing elements, a Times reporter who visited the museum.says: ‘The art of ancient Egypt is so exquisite… that you could take anything out of the dusty display cases of the ancient museum, mount it and light it properly and it would look exceptional. This is what the curators have done and the effect is dazzling.’
‘KatrinaGT’, who visited the museum, writes about tripadvisor: “The museum’s stunning architecture and carefully curated exhibits make it a world-class destination, perfect for anyone looking to experience the grandeur of ancient Egypt firsthand.”
Another visitor, ‘Frances S’, says: ‘We were lucky enough to be able to visit the GEM shortly after the opening on 16 October. Egypt has put a lot of thought and effort into this museum, from the architecture, the pyramid viewing points, the exhibits, the open spaces, the gift shop to the restaurants and cafes.’
Tourists can book a ticket for the limited opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum at visit-gem.com. Tickets for non-Egyptian citizens cost 1,200 EGY (£19.05/$24), while children’s tickets cost 600 EGY (£9.52/$12.26).
Tickets for non-Egyptian citizens cost EGY 1,200 (£19.05/$24), while a child ticket costs EGY 600 (£9.52/$12.26).
‘KatrinaGT’, who visited the museum, writes on Tripadvisor: ‘The museum’s stunning architecture and carefully curated exhibits make it a world-class destination’
Reviewer ‘Frances S’ says: ‘We were lucky enough to be able to visit the GEM shortly after the soft opening on 16 October. Egypt has put a lot of thought and effort into this museum.’