After many delays and much anticipation, the Grand Egyptian Museum is finally opening its doors to the public. The archaeological museum, which neighbors the famed Giza pyramids, will start welcoming visitors into its main galleries for a trial run ahead of its official opening date, which is still yet to be announced.
Grand Egyptian Museum Is the Largest of its Kind
Sprawling 120 acres, the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza not only houses the world’s largest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts—it is also the world’s largest archaeological museum. As of this week, parts of the long-awaited museum are now open to the public. These include the museum’s grand staircase, which towers six stories high and boasts a spectacular view of the Pyramids of Giza, as well as twelve main halls showcasing sarcophagi, statues, and other artifacts that span centuries of ancient Egyptian civilization. Each main hall features at least 15,000 objects and is helpfully classified by dynasty and historical order. Many of these objects are being exhibited to the public for the very first time.
Since late 2022, a limited number of private tours have been allowed in the Grand Egyptian Museum. According to museum officials, this month’s trial opening will help the museum identify operational issues and otherwise prepare to welcome some of the 15 million tourists who visit Giza each year.
Over 100,000 Ancient Egyptian Artifacts
The collection of the Grand Egyptian Museum comprises over 100,000 artifacts from ancient Egyptian civilization. One of the museum’s main attractions will be the complete Tutankhamun collection, which includes the famous boy king’s mummy, funerary mask, inner gold sarcophagus, jewels, and throne. Plans to open the Tutankhamun treasure gallery have not yet been announced, as some objects have been undergoing restoration.
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Upon completion, the museum will also feature a children’s library, 3D movie theater, conference center, restaurants, outdoor gardens, commercial space, and restoration and conservation labs. Virtual reality technology and other advanced multimedia features also abound in the museum, immersing visitors of all ages into the lives of ancient Egyptians. So far, the Grand Egyptian Museum project has cost about $1 billion.
Museum Construction and Decades of Delays
Back in 1992, Egypt’s then-president announced plans to build a new museum that brought the nation’s ancient artifacts together under one roof. The Egyptian Museum in Cairo had become especially overcrowded and vulnerable to vibrations from urban traffic. Construction on the Grand Egyptian Museum actually began at the Giza site in 2012. Delays beleaguered the project for over a decade, including the Arab Spring movement, regional economic turmoil, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Amidst over a decade of construction, the institution’s archeological laboratories remained active, researching and restoring Egyptian artifacts, as well as making notable scientific discoveries.
