The Grand Egyptian Museum, poised to become the world's largest archaeological museum, is set for its official inauguration on 1st November. The prestigious event will be attended by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, alongside an unprecedented gathering of heads of state, monarchs, and government leaders from across the globe. Mohamed El Homsany, the official spokesperson for the Egyptian Cabinet, confirmed that at least 40 world leaders are expected to attend, alongside numerous ministers and senior officials. Contents * A New Dawn for Ancient Wonders * Unprecedented Collections * Khufu's Solar Boats * A Green and Sustainable Icon * A Timeline of Vision and Resilience A New Dawn for Ancient Wonders Architectural Marvel and Prime Location Nestled on the Giza Plateau, the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) boasts an exceptional location directly facing the three iconic pyramids. Its unique architectural design, conceived by the Irish firm Heneghan Peng, seamlessly blends modern geometry with ancient Pharaonic symbolism. The museum's structure is aligned with the sun's rays, extending from the pyramid peaks to converge at its core, creating a breathtaking visual spectacle. Construction, which began in 2005, concluded in 2021, followed by meticulous preparations for installations, conservation, and staff training. Covering an expansive 500,000 square metres, with 120,000 square metres dedicated to lush gardens, the GEM is more than just a museum; it's an immersive journey through millennia of Egyptian history. Its 12 exhibition halls span from pre-dynastic eras to the end of the Roman period in Egypt, showcasing over 100,000 artefacts. Unprecedented Collections The Golden Pharaoh's Sanctuary: Tutankhamun's Treasures Unveiled One of the museum's most anticipated highlights is the complete collection of King Tutankhamun's treasures. For the first time since the discovery of his tomb in 1922, over 5,000 artefacts belonging to the 'Golden Pharaoh' will be displayed in their entirety, earning the GEM the affectionate moniker 'Tut's Home'. Previously, only select items, such as the iconic golden mask, were exhibited at the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir, with many other priceless pieces remaining in storage. Now, meticulously restored and prepared, these treasures – including Tutankhamun's seal, a previously unseen leather shield, and even the mummified foetuses discovered in his burial chamber – will finally be revealed to the public. The six war chariots of Tutankhamun, once dispersed across various museums, will also be reunited in a single display. The only item not making the journey is Tutankhamun's mummy, which will remain undisturbed in its original resting place in the Valley of the Kings. Among the spectacular exhibits are the four gilded wooden shrines of King Tutankhamun, the largest of which has been painstakingly transferred from the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir. These shrines, discovered in his tomb in Luxor in November 1922, are now housed in state-of-the-art, environmentally controlled display cases spanning approximately 7,200 square metres, complete with advanced graphics and interactive screens to enhance the visitor experience. Beyond Tut: Other Iconic Displays * The Hanging Obelisk:Greeting visitors in the outdoor plaza is the majestic 'Hanging Obelisk' of King Ramses II, relocated from San El Hagar. Its innovative display on a raised base allows for the first time in 3,500 years, a view of Ramses II's cartouche, hidden for millennia at its base. Ramses II, one of ancient Egypt's most celebrated pharaohs, reigned during the New Kingdom from approximately 1279 to 1213 BC. * Statue of Ramses II:The colossal pink granite statue of Ramses II, standing at 11.30 metres tall and weighing 83.4 tonnes, is the first monumental artefact to welcome visitors in the museum's Grand Atrium. Discovered in 1820, this magnificent statue was famously moved to Ramses Square in Cairo in 1955 before its final relocation to the GEM in 2006. * Pillar of Merneptah:Also in the Grand Atrium is the pink granite pillar of King Merneptah, son of Ramses II. Discovered in 1970 in the city of On (Ain Shams), this 5.60-metre-tall, 13-tonne pillar is adorned with hieroglyphic inscriptions recounting Merneptah's decisive victory in a renowned battle during his fifth regnal year. * The Grand Staircase:Before ascending to the main exhibition halls, visitors can explore 59 monumental artefacts lining the 'Grand Staircase'. This unique display method showcases some of ancient Egypt's most magnificent and heavy sculptures, spanning from the Old Kingdom to the Greco-Roman period, culminating in a breathtaking panoramic view of the pyramids from a glass balcony. Khufu's Solar Boats In a separate, dedicated building adjacent to the main museum, the public can explore the fascinating 'Khufu Boats' or 'Solar Boats'. The first boat will be displayed allowing visitors to walk around and view it from all angles. A second section of the museum will be dedicated to the second boat, offering a unique opportunity to witness its ongoing restoration and assembly process, which is expected to take five to seven years. These cedar wood boats, dating back over 4,600 years, represent some of humanity's oldest organic artefacts. A Green and Sustainable Icon The Grand Egyptian Museum has achieved international recognition as Africa and the Middle East's first certified 'green museum'. It proudly holds the 'Edge Advance' certificate for green buildings from the International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group. This accolade reflects its commitment to energy efficiency, the use of clean energy in construction, and the integration of solar cells and natural lighting and ventilation systems. The museum has also garnered eight ISO certifications in energy, occupational health and safety, environmental management, and quality, in addition to being awarded 'Best Green Building Project'. It has also received the Golden Certificate for Green Building and Sustainability under the Egyptian Green Pyramid System from the National Research Centre for Housing and Building. The GEM's state-of-the-art design incorporates advanced exhibition halls and some of the world's largest conservation laboratories, capable of welcoming thousands of tourists daily. The current design was chosen from 1,583 international entries in a competition overseen by UNESCO and the International Union of Architects, ultimately won by the Dublin-based Irish architectural firm due to its innovative connection to the pyramids. A Timeline of Vision and Resilience The vision for the Grand Egyptian Museum emerged in the 1990s, aiming to create the world's largest museum dedicated to ancient Egyptian civilisation. * February 2002:The foundation stone was laid near the Giza Pyramids after initial studies. * 2002:Egypt launched an international architectural competition for the museum's design, sponsored by UNESCO and the International Union of Architects. * June 2003:An Irish-Chinese consortium won the competition with a design that envisioned the museum as a conical mass where sun rays from the three pyramids converge, appearing as a fourth pyramid from above. * May 2005:Construction officially began with a development loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). * 2006:The Antiquities Conservation Centre was established to restore and prepare artefacts for display. * June 2010:The Conservation Centre, electrical power station, and fire extinguishing station were inaugurated after completing the first two phases of the project. * January 2011:Work was halted due to the popular uprising. * 2014:President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi reinstated the project. * 2016:A cabinet decision established the Grand Egyptian Museum Authority. * January 2018:The statue of King Ramses II was transferred to the museum site, becoming its first resident artefact. * 2021:Construction was completed, encompassing the entrance hall, Grand Staircase, King Tutankhamun's halls, the Children's Museum, service buildings, ticketing, security, surveillance systems, and car parks. * 16th October 2024:The museum, designed to house over 100,000 artefacts, began its trial operation. * 25th February 2025:The Egyptian government initially planned an official opening ceremony for 3rd July. However, regional political tensions led to a postponement until 1st November. The Grand Egyptian Museum stands as a testament to Egypt's rich heritage and its commitment to preserving and showcasing it to the world. It promises an unparalleled cultural experience, blending ancient wonders with cutting-edge museology, set to enchant visitors for generations to come.
