The Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza has (almost) fully opened to visitors – and pictures reveal that the displays are spectacular.
Tourists have had a long wait to get a glimpse 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 saw the huge museum’s opening date postponed multiple 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 11m- (36ft) high statue of Ramses II, which greets tourists in the museum’s cavernous Grand Hall.
So far 12 of the galleries’ exhibition halls are open, with artifacts spanning from the prehistoric era to the Roman Empire.
The Grand Egyptian Museum has (almost) fully opened to visitors – and pictures reveal that the displays are spectacular
Tourists have had a long wait to get a glimpse behind the doors
Although the foundation stone was laid by former president Mubarak in 2002, a series of delays saw the museum’s opening date postponed multiple times
So far 12 of the galleries’ exhibition halls are open with artifacts spanning from the prehistoric era to the Roman Empire
However, you’ll have to wait for a glimpse of Tutankhamun’s treasures.
The ancient pharaoh’s gold mask and sarcophagus are still in the original museum in Cairo’s Tahrir Square, while the items that have been moved to the new site aren’t yet on display.
The solar barge, a 42m- (137ft) long cedarwood vessel designed to transport Pharaoh Khufu through the heavens and one of the museum’s most famous treasures, is also yet to go on display.
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 Grand Hall (above)
Visitors will have to wait for a glimpse of Tutankhamun’s treasures. The ancient pharaoh’s gold mask and sarcophagus are still in the original museum in Tahrir Square while the items that have been moved aren’t yet on display. Above – Pharaonic statues in the new museum
Tourists can book a ticket to the Grand Egyptian Museum’s limited opening online
Despite the missing items, a Times reporter who visited the museum says: ‘Ancient Egyptian art is so exquisite… that you could take anything out of the old museum’s dusty display cases, mount and light it properly and it will look exceptional. This is what curators have done and the effect is dazzling.’
‘KatrinaGT’, who visited the museum, writes on 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 fortunate to be able to visit the GEM shortly after the October 16 soft opening. Egypt has put a lot of thought and effort into this museum from the architecture, pyramid viewpoints, exhibits, open spaces, gift shop, through to the restaurants and cafes.’
Tourists can book a ticket to the Grand Egyptian Museum’s limited opening at visit-gem.com. Tickets for non-Egyptian nationals cost EGY1200 (£19.05/$24), while a child’s ticket is EGY600 (£9.52/$12.26).
Tickets for non-Egyptian nationals cost EGY1200 (£19.05/$24) while a child’s ticket is EGY600 (£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 fortunate to be able to visit the GEM shortly after the October 16 soft opening. Egypt has put a lot of thought and effort into this museum’