The opening was on Saturday, November 1, 2025
The Area
Spanning 117 acres, the museum covers more than 500,000 square meters, making it one of the largest museums in Egypt. It represents a meeting point between the past and present, combining the grandeur of ancient Egyptian civilization with the latest museum display technologies. 45,000 square meters are dedicated to a single civilization, with the museum's exhibition halls comprising 45,000 square meters.
Area: 480,000 square meters (5.2 million square feet)
The Location
Just 2 kilometers from the Giza Pyramids, the museum is located at the beginning of the Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road, adjacent to the famous Giza Pyramids area, and 1 kilometer from the plateau. The museum's location is easily accessible from all directions, whether from downtown Cairo or Cairo International Airport, via a modern road network.
When was the foundation stone laid?
The foundation stone was laid in 2002 in a unique location overlooking the Giza Pyramids, under the auspices of UNESCO and the International Union of Architects. Actual implementation began in May 2005, and the largest center for the restoration of antiquities in the Middle East was established within it in 2006, which was opened in 2010. In 2016, the Prime Minister issued a decision to establish the Grand Egyptian Museum Authority, which was then reorganized under Law No. 9 of 2020 as a public economic authority affiliated with the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities. Construction period: 2002–2023 (partially opened in 2022).
The Construction Challenges
The construction of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) faced numerous challenges, from the 2011 revolution in Egypt to financial constraints and technical difficulties in erecting a massive structure on the edge of the desert plateau. Despite these obstacles, the project persevered with international support and unwavering determination.
What does the Grand Egyptian Museum contribute to the history of modern Egypt?
It contributes to strengthening national identity and pride in Egyptian history among new generations.
It provides thousands of direct and indirect job opportunities and increases national income from the tourism sector.
Why was the museum designed, and who designed it?
The museum was designed to support the preservation and restoration of cultural and historical heritage. The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities explained that Egypt launched an international competition to design the museum, which was won by the Irish firm Heneghan Peng Architects. They designed the museum building so that the sunlight emanating from the tops of the three pyramids converges to form a conical mass that is the museum itself.
How was the museum's logo chosen?
By an Egyptian jury
How many artifacts does the museum house?
The museum houses 100,000 artifacts representing various periods of Egyptian history, from the Predynastic Period to the Greco-Roman era.
The treasures of King Tutankhamun are on display for the first time in their entirety since the discovery of his tomb in 1922.
The boats of King Khufu are also featured.
The collection of Queen Hetepheres is on display.
The statues of Kings Ramses II and Merneptah, among other rare artifacts, are also exhibited.
The largest artifact is a statue of Ramses II weighing 83 tons, located in the main hall.
Besides preserving heritage, what is the museum's function?
The museum specializes in digital documentation.
It records, preserves, maintains, and restores artifacts.
The museum is dedicated to reviving traditional Egyptian crafts and arts.Which foreign organizations fund the museum?
JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) provided $800 million in funding for the project.The International Support for the Grand Egyptian Museum
With support from international organizations such as UNESCO and ICOM, the museum utilizes state-of-the-art technology to preserve, display, and interpret artifacts throughout the history of ancient Egyptian civilization.
The transportation to the Museum
Metro
Take Metro Line 2 to Giza Station, then transfer to Shooting Range Square, where the museum is located just minutes away.
Buses
Public buses run directly to the museum entrance, such as bus number 8 from Abdel Moneim Riad Square.
Taxis and Minibuses
Available from several major stations in Cairo, making it easy to reach the museum.
The technologies Used in Museum Design
The latest global technologies were used in the museum's design.
An Immersive Journey Through Time
The GEM offers visitors a curated journey through 7,000 years of Egyptian civilization, from prehistoric times to the Greco-Roman period. Carefully selected exhibits combine traditional display methods with cutting-edge technology to create an immersive educational experience suitable for visitors of all ages and backgrounds
What does the museum include?
The museum features vast exhibition halls
the Grand Staircase
interactive exhibition hall
In addition to cultural and educational facilities including:
- A children's museum to simplify concepts of civilization
- An educational and training center for restoration sciences and museum management
- A commercial area and gardens with restaurants, cafes, and souvenir shops
- Panoramic views of the Giza Pyramids from inside the museum
Royal Treasures
Daily Life
Stone Artifacts
Religious Objects
The iconic golden mask of Tutankhamun, displayed in the Grand Egyptian Museum
The Complete Treasures of Tutankhamun
For the first time since their discovery in 1922, all 5,398 artifacts from Tutankhamun's tomb are displayed together in one place. The dedicated Tutankhamun halls span 7,000 square meters and include the famous golden mask, tombs, chariots, throne, jewelry, and everyday objects, offering an unprecedented view of the king's life and death rituals. The iconic 11 kg gold mask is made of pure gold.
Three nesting coffins, the innermost of which is made of 110 kg of pure gold.
Ceremony beds and chairs with intricate animal motifs.
Six disassembled chariots discovered at the tomb's entrance.
Personal equipment including clothing, sandals, and walking sticks.
Colossal royal statues from ancient Egypt are on display at the Grand Egyptian Museum.
The Royal Statues and Monuments
The museum houses an exceptional collection of royal statues, including some of the largest and most magnificent stone sculptures ever created in ancient Egypt. These monumental pieces demonstrate the power and divine status of the pharaohs across several dynasties.
The 83-ton colossal statue of Ramses II in the main hall
The alabaster sphinx of Hatshepsut, the famous pharaoh
A colossal statue of Amenhotep III and Queen Tiye
A unique double statue of the boy king Tutankhamun and the god Amun
The complete collection of statues from the Valley of Khafre temple
A detailed replica of the Rosetta Stone in the Grand Egyptian Museum
The services offered within the museum
The Interactive digital displays and multimedia presentations
The Virtual reality experiences of ancient Egyptian life
Multiple restaurants and cafes overlooking the Nile and the Pyramids
A children's museum with hands-on archaeological activities
A conference center and theaters for cultural events
Extensive gift shops showcasing authentic Egyptian crafts
Landscaped gardens featuring native Egyptian plants
Wheelchair access is available throughout the facility
Specialized tours are offered for visitors with visual or hearing impairments
Digital guides are available in 13 languages, ensuring that international visitors can fully appreciate the cultural significance of the exhibits
The Rosetta Stone Hall
While the original Rosetta Stone remains in the British Museum, GEM displays a highly detailed replica alongside a comprehensive exhibition on the decipherment of hieroglyphs. This hall explores how this revolutionary discovery unlocked the language of ancient Egypt after it had been lost for nearly 1,500 years.
A highly detailed replica of the Rosetta Stone using 3D scanning
Interactive displays illustrating the decipherment process
Original artifacts with hieroglyphic, demotic, and Greek inscriptions
Jean-François Champollion's notes and his revolutionary methodology
Digital translation tools allow visitors to write their names in hieroglyphs.
