Egypt’s Grand Egyptian Museum Near Giza Pyramids Opens After Long Delay

Published on October 31, 2025

In Cairo, correct beside nan ancient and majestic Giza Pyramids, Egypt is yet unveiling what has been billed arsenic nan world’s largest depository dedicated to a azygous civilisation. The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), a task that has spanned astir 2 decades of planning, delays and construction, opens its doors aft a agelong wait.

The depository is simply a motion of Egypt’s ambition: to coming its 5,000-year-old civilisation successful a mounting worthy of its world significance, and to revitalise tourism arsenic a cardinal economical driver. At a costs of astir US$1 billion, GEM sits connected a 50-hectare tract conscionable a mates of kilometres from nan Pyramids successful Giza.

Inside, nan standard is staggering. The depository will location astir 100,000 artefacts—of which astir 50,000 will beryllium connected show to nan public—including a afloat postulation of Tutankhamun’s treasures, antecedently unseen together nether 1 roof. The show spans nan magnitude of ancient Egypt done aggregate galleries, from predynastic to Coptic periods.

One of nan centrepieces is simply a colossal statue of Ramses II—over 80 tons and much than 11 metres tall—meeting visitors successful nan expansive glass-roofed atrium, pinch clear views of nan Pyramids beyond. The depository features a staircase lined pinch statues, sweeping galleries and a boldly modern solid and marble façade that contrasts yet complements nan ancient surroundings.

The opening of GEM is not conscionable astir artefacts and architecture. It is tightly linked to Egypt’s efforts to revive tourism aft years of governmental instability, economical strain and nan world pandemic. The authorities expects GEM to pull thousands of visitors regular and to support a larger extremity of bringing successful 30 cardinal visitors annually by astir 2030.

Yet nan communicative of GEM is besides 1 of setbacks. Built from 2005 onwards, nan depository suffered aggregate postponements—first an anticipated 2015 opening, past 2018, 2020 and beyond. Political upheaval, backing issues and nan COVID-19 pandemic each played their roles successful slowing progress.

For visitors, nan acquisition promises to beryllium immersive. You’ll move from a immense entranceway hallway into themed wings covering Society, Royalty and Beliefs. The creation emphasises some expansive show and quiet contemplation. Artefacts are placed pinch abstraction and dignity, alternatively than nan crowded show cases of galore older museums. On opening, nan Tutankhamun rooms are sealed disconnected until nan charismatic unveiling, indicating nan level of anticipation astir nan collection.

There are quality stories down this depository too—Egyptologists, craftsmen and conservators person spent years restoring vulnerable papyri, statues and relics. One of them observes that GEM is “a connection to nan world … that Egypt safeguards its heritage,” putting faces and pridefulness down nan project.

On nan economical front, GEM is portion of a wider infrastructure push: a caller airdrome (Sphinx Airport), luxury hotels and improved entree roads each purpose to support nan influx of world visitors. For galore Egyptians, this is not conscionable astir tourism but astir reclaiming a cardinal spot for Egypt connected nan world taste map.

Of course, questions remain. Some critics constituent retired that while royal treasures dominate, nan depository places little accent connected mundane life successful ancient Egypt. Others statement nan steep costs successful a state pinch sizeable economical challenges. But galore supporters opportunity nan worth goes beyond economical return—it celebrates 1 of humanity’s earliest and richest civilisations successful a measurement that fewer places tin match.

When you locomotion done GEM, you are confronted not only pinch ancient craftsmanship but besides pinch nan weight of time. A limestone coffin, a pharaoh’s mask, a royal chariot—each entity carries nan stories of rulers, artisans and mean group alike. The depository offers nan benignant of acquisition wherever you mightiness consciousness nan echo of voices from 3,000 years ago.

This infinitesimal is much than nan opening of bricks and mortar. It is simply a taste milestone for Egypt and for visitors who person dreamed of seeing nan treasures tucked distant for decades. For nan unit who guided artefacts present and spent years perfecting nan display, nan opening is simply a culmination of a agelong journey. For tourists, it will beryllium nan opening of a caller measurement to brushwood ancient Egypt.