Grand Egyptian Museum: Difference between revisions

 

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The ”’Grand Egyptian Museum”’ (”’GEM”’; {{Langx|arz|المتحف المصري الكبير}} ”al-Matḥaf al-Miṣriyy al-Kabir”) is an [[Archaeology|archaeological]] and national museum in [[Giza]], Egypt, the largest museum in the world for a single civilization.<ref name=”Britannica”>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-05 |title=Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Grand-Egyptian-Museum |access-date=2025-08-07 |website=Britannica |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gaskins |first=Ty |date=2025-04-24 |title=Inside the Grand Egyptian Museum: A First Look at the World’s Largest Museum Dedicated to a Single Civilisation |url=https://www.voguearabia.com/article/grand-egyptian-museum-worlds-largest-museum-dedicated-to-a-single-civilisation |access-date=2025-08-07 |website=Vogue Arabia |language=en-AE}}</ref> It is located about two kilometers (1.2 miles) from the [[Giza pyramid complex|Giza Pyramid Complex]].

The ”’Grand Egyptian Museum”’ (”’GEM”’; {{Langx|arz|المتحف المصري الكبير}} ”al-Matḥaf al-Miṣriyy al-Kabir”) is an [[Archaeology|archaeological]] and national museum in [[Giza]], Egypt, the largest museum in the world for a single civilization.<ref name=”Britannica”>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-05 |title=Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Grand-Egyptian-Museum |access-date=2025-08-07 |website=Britannica |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gaskins |first=Ty |date=2025-04-24 |title=Inside the Grand Egyptian Museum: A First Look at the World’s Largest Museum Dedicated to a Single Civilisation |url=https://www.voguearabia.com/article/grand-egyptian-museum-worlds-largest-museum-dedicated-to-a-single-civilisation |access-date=2025-08-07 |website=Vogue Arabia |language=en-AE}}</ref>

The museum was announced in 1992,<ref name=”Britannica”/> actual construction began in 2005,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-17 |title=The Grand Egyptian Museum is about to open |url=https://www.webuildvalue.com/en/reportage/grand-egyptian-museum.html |access-date=2025-08-07 |website=We Build Value |language=en-US}}</ref> and it was fully completed in 2023<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Read |first=Johanna |date=2023-03-16 |title=Giza and Saqqara, Egypt |url=https://time.com/6261824/giza-and-saqqara-egypt-2/ |access-date=2025-08-07 |magazine=TIME |language=en}}</ref> at a cost of $1.2 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Knell |first1=Yolande |last2=Hussein |first2=Wael |date=2025-11-01 |title=Egypt’s Grand Museum opens, displaying Tutankhamun tomb in full for first time |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg4q403rpzo |access-date=2025-11-01 |website=[[BBC News]] |language=en}}</ref> Trial opening began in October 2024, and the official opening took place on 1 November 2025.<ref name=”Ahram”>{{Cite web |title=Grand Egyptian Museum to open on 1 November – Society – Egypt |url=https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/2/550824/Egypt/Society/UPDATED-Grand-Egyptian-Museum-to-open-on–November.aspx |access-date=2025-08-07 |website=Ahram Online}}</ref>

The museum was announced in 1992,<ref name=”Britannica”/> actual construction began in 2005,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-17 |title=The Grand Egyptian Museum is about to open |url=https://www.webuildvalue.com/en/reportage/grand-egyptian-museum.html |access-date=2025-08-07 |website=We Build Value |language=en-US}}</ref> and it was fully completed in 2023<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Read |first=Johanna |date=2023-03-16 |title=Giza and Saqqara, Egypt |url=https://time.com/6261824/giza-and-saqqara-egypt-2/ |access-date=2025-08-07 |magazine=TIME |language=en}}</ref> at a cost of $1.2 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Knell |first1=Yolande |last2=Hussein |first2=Wael |date=2025-11-01 |title=Egypt’s Grand Museum opens, displaying Tutankhamun tomb in full for first time |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg4q403rpzo |access-date=2025-11-01 |website=[[BBC News]] |language=en}}</ref> Trial opening began in October 2024, and the official opening took place on 1 November 2025.<ref name=”Ahram”>{{Cite web |title=Grand Egyptian Museum to open on 1 November – Society – Egypt |url=https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/2/550824/Egypt/Society/UPDATED-Grand-Egyptian-Museum-to-open-on–November.aspx |access-date=2025-08-07 |website=Ahram Online}}</ref>

The museum houses a collection of Egyptian artifacts from various periods of the Egyptian civilization, from the [[Prehistoric Egypt|Predynastic Period]] to [[Roman Egypt]], with an estimated total of over 100,000 artifacts,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Khaled |first=Fatma |date=2025-05-26 |title=Egyptian archaeologists discover three tombs in Luxor |url=https://apnews.com/article/egypt-luxor-necropolis-tombs-new-kingdom-8d9890225f73e8fa88bfa18ef0a2b62a |access-date=2025-08-07 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref> including at least 20,000 that will be displayed for the first time ever, including the complete King [[Tutankhamun]] collection comprising 5,398 pieces.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-16 |title=Grand Egyptian Museum partially opens to public |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gdjpdd18yo |access-date=2025-08-07 |website=BBC News |language=en-gb}}</ref> The Tut collection is on display in a 7,500 m² section of the museum.<ref>{{Cite web |title=العناني يكشف عن مكونات المتحف المصري الكبير والموقف التنفيذي لعملية نقل القطع الأثرية |url=https://www.masrawy.com/news/news_egypt/details/2020/10/24/1898919/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A-%D9%8A%D9%83%D8%B4%D9%81-%D8%B9%D9%86-%D9%85%D9%83%D9%88%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AA%D8%AD%D9%81-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B5%D8%B1%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%B1-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%88%D9%82%D9%81-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%86%D9%81%D9%8A%D8%B0%D9%8A-%D9%84%D8%B9%D9%85%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%86%D9%82%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%B7%D8%B9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%AB%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9 |access-date=2025-08-07 |website=مصراوي.كوم |language=ar}}</ref> Some newly-restored pieces will be displayed for the first time, such as the second solar ship of [[Khufu]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Khufu’s boat to be reassembled – Heritage – Al-Ahram Weekly |url=https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/475595.aspx |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=Ahram Online}}</ref> the collection of [[Hetepheres I|Queen Hetepheres]] (mother of King [[Khufu]]),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sarkar |first=Somudranil |date=2024-12-07 |title=Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza Partially Opens: Explore New 15,000 Artifacts Showcasing Egypt’s Ancient Civilization Near the Pyramids |work=Travel And Tour World |url=https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/grand-egyptian-museum-in-giza-partially-opens-explore-new-15000-artifacts-showcasing-egypts-ancient-civilization-near-the-pyramids/ |access-date=2025-08-07 |language=en-US}}</ref> and the collection of [[Yuya]] and [[Thuya]] (parents of [[Tiye|Queen Tiye]]).

The museum houses a collection of Egyptian artifacts from various periods of the Egyptian civilization, from the [[Prehistoric Egypt|Predynastic Period]] to [[Roman Egypt]] an estimated total of over 100,000 artifacts,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Khaled |first=Fatma |date=2025-05-26 |title=Egyptian archaeologists discover three tombs in Luxor |url=https://apnews.com/article/egypt-luxor-necropolis-tombs-new-kingdom-8d9890225f73e8fa88bfa18ef0a2b62a |access-date=2025-08-07 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref> including at least 20,000 that displayed for the first time ever, the complete King [[Tutankhamun]] collection comprising 5,398 pieces.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-16 |title=Grand Egyptian Museum partially opens to public |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gdjpdd18yo |access-date=2025-08-07 |website=BBC News |language=en-gb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=العناني يكشف عن مكونات المتحف المصري الكبير والموقف التنفيذي لعملية نقل القطع الأثرية |url=https://www.masrawy.com/news/news_egypt/details/2020/10/24/1898919/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A-%D9%8A%D9%83%D8%B4%D9%81-%D8%B9%D9%86-%D9%85%D9%83%D9%88%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AA%D8%AD%D9%81-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B5%D8%B1%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%B1-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%88%D9%82%D9%81-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%86%D9%81%D9%8A%D8%B0%D9%8A-%D9%84%D8%B9%D9%85%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%86%D9%82%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%B7%D8%B9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%AB%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9 |access-date=2025-08-07 |website=مصراوي.كوم |language=ar}}</ref> Some newly-restored pieces will be displayed for the first time, such as the second solar ship of [[Khufu]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Khufu’s boat to be reassembled – Heritage – Al-Ahram Weekly |url=https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/475595.aspx |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=Ahram Online}}</ref> the collection of [[Hetepheres I|Queen Hetepheres]] (mother of King [[Khufu]]),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sarkar |first=Somudranil |date=2024-12-07 |title=Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza Partially Opens: Explore New 15,000 Artifacts Showcasing Egypt’s Ancient Civilization Near the Pyramids |work=Travel And Tour World |url=https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/grand-egyptian-museum-in-giza-partially-opens-explore-new-15000-artifacts-showcasing-egypts-ancient-civilization-near-the-pyramids/ |access-date=2025-08-07 |language=en-US}}</ref> and the collection of [[Yuya]] and [[Thuya]] (parents of [[Tiye|Queen Tiye]]).

The museum extends over a total area of 500,000 m²<ref>{{Cite web |work=presidency.eg |title=إنشاء المتحف المصري الكبير |url=https://www.presidency.eg/ar/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B4%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%B9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D9%88%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%A9/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AA%D8%AD%D9%81-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B5%D8%B1%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%B1-1?utm_source=chatgpt.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Grand Egyptian Museum to serve as int’l hub for Egyptology studies: Tourism minister |url=https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/546145.aspx?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=2025-08-07 |website=Ahram Online}}</ref> (5,381,955 sq ft), with a built-up area of 167,000 m²<ref>{{Cite web |title=Grand Egyptian Museum – Integratedfs |url=https://integratedfs.com/projects/grand-egyptian-museum/ |access-date=2025-08-07 |language=en-US}}</ref> (1,797,573 sq ft) and floor area of 81,000 m²<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-18 |title=المتحف المصرى الكبير .. حكـاية حضارية عظيمـة – جريدة الجمهورية |url=https://algomhuria.gomhuriaonline.com/108813/ |access-date=2025-08-07 |website=Al Gomhuria |language=ar}}</ref> (872,000 sq ft). It will also host permanent exhibition galleries, temporary exhibitions, special exhibitions, a children’s museum, and virtual and large-format screens with a total floor area of 32,000 m² (344,445 sq ft).

The museum a total area of 500,000 m²<ref>{{Cite web |work=presidency.eg |title=إنشاء المتحف المصري الكبير |url=https://www.presidency.eg/ar/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B4%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%B9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D9%88%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%A9/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AA%D8%AD%D9%81-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B5%D8%B1%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%B1-1?utm_source=chatgpt.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Grand Egyptian Museum to serve as int’l hub for Egyptology studies: Tourism minister |url=https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/546145.aspx?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=2025-08-07 |website=Ahram Online}}</ref> (5,381,955 sq ft), with a built-up area of 167,000 m²<ref>{{Cite web |title=Grand Egyptian Museum – Integratedfs |url=https://integratedfs.com/projects/grand-egyptian-museum/ |access-date=2025-08-07 |language=en-US}}</ref> (1,797,573 sq ft) and floor area of 81,000 m²<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-18 |title=المتحف المصرى الكبير .. حكـاية حضارية عظيمـة – جريدة الجمهورية |url=https://algomhuria.gomhuriaonline.com/108813/ |access-date=2025-08-07 |website=Al Gomhuria |language=ar}}</ref> (872,000 sq ft). It will also host permanent exhibition galleries, temporary exhibitions, special exhibitions, a children’s museum, and virtual and large-format screens with a total floor area of 32,000 m² (344,445 sq ft).

The museum was built by a joint venture of Egyptian [[Orascom Construction]] and the Belgian [[Besix|BESIX Group]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Grand Egyptian Museum |url=https://www.besix.com/en/projects/grand-egyptian-museum |access-date=2025-08-07 |website=Besix |language=nl}}</ref>

The museum was built by a joint venture of Egyptian [[Orascom Construction]] and the Belgian [[Besix|BESIX Group]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Grand Egyptian Museum |url=https://www.besix.com/en/projects/grand-egyptian-museum |access-date=2025-08-07 |website=Besix |language=nl}}</ref>

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== History ==

== History ==

[[File:The Hanging Obelisk of Pharaoh Ramses II from in front of the GEM.jpg|thumb|The Hanging Obelisk of [[Pharaoh]] [[Ramesses II]] front of the GEM]]

[[File:The Hanging Obelisk of Pharaoh Ramses II from in front of the GEM.jpg|thumb|The Hanging Obelisk of [[Pharaoh]] [[Ramesses II]] front of the GEM]]

The idea to establish the Grand Egyptian Museum originated with in the early 1990s with [[Farouk Hosny|Farouk Hosni]], who served as [[Ministry of Culture (Egypt)|Minister of Culture]] from 1987 to 2011. According to Hosni, the [[Egyptian Museum]] in [[Tahrir Square|Tahrir]] had become old-fashioned and “Every time I visited the museum it gave me headaches and depression and its restoration was a disaster”.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-10 |title=فاروق حسني يتحدث لـ&laquo;العين الإخبارية&raquo;: نعم كنت قريبا من مبارك والمتحف الكبير فكرتي |url=https://al-ain.com/article/interview-farouk-hosni-al-ain-news-portal |access-date=2025-10-27 |website=العين الإخبارية |language=ar}}</ref>

The Grand Egyptian Museum originated in the early 1990s with [[Farouk Hosny|Farouk Hosni]], who served as [[Ministry of Culture (Egypt)|Minister of Culture]] from 1987 to 2011. According to Hosni, the [[Egyptian Museum]] in [[Tahrir Square|Tahrir]] had become old-fashioned and “Every time I visited the museum it gave me headaches and depression and its restoration was a disaster”.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-10 |title=فاروق حسني يتحدث لـ&laquo;العين الإخبارية&raquo;: نعم كنت قريبا من مبارك والمتحف الكبير فكرتي |url=https://al-ain.com/article/interview-farouk-hosni-al-ain-news-portal |access-date=2025-10-27 |website=العين الإخبارية |language=ar}}</ref>

The project was officially launched by the government in 1992 under President [[Hosni Mubarak]], who announced plans to build a new museum to house a larger collection of artifacts and to consolidate ancient treasures, In 2002, the foundation stone for the project was laid,<ref>{{Cite web |title=المتحف المصري الكبير.. صورة نادرة للحظة وضع حجر الأساس |url=https://www.masrawy.com/news/news_egypt/details/2025/10/29/2881106/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AA%D8%AD%D9%81-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B5%D8%B1%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%B1-%D8%B5%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D9%84%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%B8%D8%A9-%D9%88%D8%B6%D8%B9-%D8%AD%D8%AC%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%B3 |access-date=2025-10-29 |website=مصراوي.كوم |language=ar}}</ref> and in 2005 the actual construction work began.<ref>{{Cite web |work=Egyptian Streets |date=2025-10-28 |title=Everything You Need to Know About the Grand Egyptian Museum Opening |url=https://egyptianstreets.com/2025/10/28/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-grand-egyptian-museum-opening/ |access-date=2025-10-29 |language=en-US}}</ref>

The project was officially launched by the government in 1992 under President [[Hosni Mubarak]], who announced plans to build a new museum to house a larger collection of artifacts and to consolidate ancient treasures, In 2002, the foundation stone for the project was laid,<ref>{{Cite web |title=المتحف المصري الكبير.. صورة نادرة للحظة وضع حجر الأساس |url=https://www.masrawy.com/news/news_egypt/details/2025/10/29/2881106/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AA%D8%AD%D9%81-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B5%D8%B1%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%B1-%D8%B5%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D9%84%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%B8%D8%A9-%D9%88%D8%B6%D8%B9-%D8%AD%D8%AC%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%B3 |access-date=2025-10-29 |website=مصراوي.كوم |language=ar}}</ref> and in 2005 the actual construction work began.<ref>{{Cite web |work=Egyptian Streets |date=2025-10-28 |title=Everything You Need to Know About the Grand Egyptian Museum Opening |url=https://egyptianstreets.com/2025/10/28/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-grand-egyptian-museum-opening/ |access-date=2025-10-29 |language=en-US}}</ref>

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==== Final official opening date ====

==== Final official opening date ====

On 6 August 2025, Prime Minister [[Mostafa Madbouly]] announced that President [[Abdel Fattah el-Sisi]] had agreed to set the GEM’s opening date for 1 November,<ref>{{Cite web |title=مصر لافتتاح المتحف الكبير أول نوفمبر |url=https://aawsat.com/node/5172572 |access-date=2025-08-06 |website=Aawsat |language=ar}}</ref><ref name=”Ahram”/> though it was temporarily closed from 15 October to 3 November 2025, inclusive. The museum resumed receiving visitors during official working hours on 4 November, the 103rd anniversary of the [[discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-14 |title=استعدادًا للافتتاح الرسمي.. إغلاق المتحف المصري الكبير بدءًا من 15 أكتوبر حتى 4 نوفمبر المقبل |url=https://www.cairo24.com/2261812 |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=القاهرة 24 |language=ar-eg}}</ref>

On 6 August 2025, Prime Minister [[Mostafa Madbouly]] announced that President [[Abdel Fattah el-Sisi]] had agreed to set the GEM’s opening date for 1 November,<ref>{{Cite web |title=مصر لافتتاح المتحف الكبير أول نوفمبر |url=https://aawsat.com/node/5172572 |access-date=2025-08-06 |website=Aawsat |language=ar}}</ref><ref name=”Ahram”/> though it was temporarily closed from 15 October to 3 November 2025, inclusive. The museum resumed receiving visitors during official working hours on 4 November, the 103rd anniversary of the [[discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-14 |title=استعدادًا للافتتاح الرسمي.. إغلاق المتحف المصري الكبير بدءًا من 15 أكتوبر حتى 4 نوفمبر المقبل |url=https://www.cairo24.com/2261812 |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=القاهرة 24 |language=ar-eg}}</ref>

==== The opening ====

[[File:Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi with representatives of foreign countries at the official opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum.jpg|thumb|Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi with representatives of foreign countries at the official opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum]]

[[File:Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi with representatives of foreign countries at the official opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum.jpg|thumb|Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi with representatives of foreign countries at the official opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum]]

The GEM was fully inaugurated on November 1, 2025. The opening ceremony was attended by Egyptian president [[Abdel Fattah el-Sisi|Abdel Fatah El-Sisi]], the [[Entissar Amer|First Lady]], as well as representatives of foreign countries and prominent public figures. Among the guest were [[Philippe of Belgium|King Philippe of Belgium]], [[Felipe VI|King Felipe VI of Spain]], [[Albert II, Prince of Monaco|Prince Albert II of Monaco]], [[Queen Rania of Jordan]], [[Queen Mary of Denmark]], former [[Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg|Grand-Duke Henri of Luxembourg]], German President [[Frank-Walter Steinmeier|Frank‑Walter Steinmeier]], Portuguese president [[Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa]], Greek Prime Minister [[Kyriakos Mitsotakis]], Hungarian Prime Minister [[Viktor Orbán]] and others.

The GEM was fully inaugurated on November 1, 2025. The opening ceremony was attended by Egyptian president [[Abdel Fattah el-Sisi|Abdel Fatah El-Sisi]], the [[Entissar Amer|First Lady]], as well as representatives of foreign countries and prominent public figures [[Philippe of Belgium|King Philippe of Belgium]], [[Felipe VI|King Felipe VI of Spain]], [[Albert II, Prince of Monaco|Prince Albert II of Monaco]], [[Queen Rania of Jordan]], [[Queen Mary of Denmark]], former [[Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg|Grand-Duke Henri of Luxembourg]], German President [[Frank-Walter Steinmeier|Frank‑Walter Steinmeier]], Portuguese president [[Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa]], Greek Prime Minister [[Kyriakos Mitsotakis]], Hungarian Prime Minister [[Viktor Orbán]] and others.

The Ceremony opened with words from Professor Sir [[Magdi Yacoub|Magdi Yacob]], Former Minister and abstract artist [[Farouk Hosny]] and renowned environmentalist Mounir Neamatalla. Then followed by words from the sponsors, Real Estate Tycoon [[Hisham Talaat Moustafa]], Steel Magnate Ahmed Ezz, Mohamed Mansour, Hassan Allam, Mohamed El-etreby, and Khaled Abbas.{{citation needed|date=November 2025}}[[File:Tutankhamun’s mask in the Grand Egyptian Museum.jpg|thumb|250x250px|The golden mask of [[Pharaoh]] [[Tutankhamun]] (GEM)]]The ceremony music is composed by [[Hesham Nazih|Hisham Nazih]] and conducted by [[Nayer Nagui]], the ceremony was first introduced by Egyptian veteran artist [[Sherihan]], with Egyptian sopranos [[Fatma Said|Fatima Said]] and Raggaeddin, with Broadway star Shereen Ahmed. [[Yasmina El-Abd|Yasmina Elabd]] introduced the event in English. Egyptian actors [[Ahmed Malek]], Ahmed Ghozzi, [[Huda El-Mufti|Huda Elmufti]], [[Salma Abu Deif|Salma Abu Dief]] participated in the prolouge portraying Ancient Egyptian Kings and Queens joined by Olympic athletes [[Feryal Abdelaziz]], [[Ahmed El-Gendy|Ahmed ElGendy]] and [[Farida Osman|Farida Othman]]. [[Mona Zaki]] and [[Karim Abdel Aziz|Karim Abdelaziz]] voices were used in the narration of the event.{{citation needed|date=November 2025}}

=== Visitors ===

=== Visitors ===

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Since October 2024, the museum has received approximately 1.5 million visitors over 10 months, with an average of 4,000 visitors per day during the trial opening.<ref>{{Cite news |agency=Associated Press |date=2024-10-15 |title=Grand Egyptian Museum to open main galleries for trial run to 4,000 visitors |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/15/grand-egyptian-museum-to-open-main-galleries-for-trial-run-to-4000-visitors |access-date=2025-11-02 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

Since October 2024, the museum has received approximately 1.5 million visitors over 10 months, with an average of 4,000 visitors per day during the trial opening.<ref>{{Cite news |agency=Associated Press |date=2024-10-15 |title=Grand Egyptian Museum to open main galleries for trial run to 4,000 visitors |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/15/grand-egyptian-museum-to-open-main-galleries-for-trial-run-to-4000-visitors |access-date=2025-11-02 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

The museum has received 18,000 visitors on its first day after its official opening to the public, among them were 7,000 Egyptians.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-11-04 |title=رئيس المتحف المصرى الكبير: عدد زوار المتحف اليوم تجاوز 18 ألف زائر |url=https://www.elbalad.news/6755520 |access-date=2025-11-04 |website=صدى البلد |language=ar-eg}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-11-06 |title=وزير السياحة: المتحف المصري الكبير أحد أهم الصروح الثقافية في العالم |url=https://www.cairo24.com/2313563 |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=القاهرة 24 |language=ar-eg}}</ref>

The museum received 18,000 visitors on its first day after its official opening to the public<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-11-04 |title=رئيس المتحف المصرى الكبير: عدد زوار المتحف اليوم تجاوز 18 ألف زائر |url=https://www.elbalad.news/6755520 |access-date=2025-11-04 |website=صدى البلد |language=ar-eg}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-11-06 |title=وزير السياحة: المتحف المصري الكبير أحد أهم الصروح الثقافية في العالم |url=https://www.cairo24.com/2313563 |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=القاهرة 24 |language=ar-eg}}</ref>

== Collections and visit ==

== Collections and visit ==

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It houses the statue of Pharaoh [[Ramesses II]] (11 meters, 83 tons) and 20-30 large artifacts from different eras, making it an introductory exhibition. The Grand Staircase connects the 12 main exhibition halls. The statue was moved from Ramses Square in [[Cairo]] to its location (GEM) in 2006 and placed in the Grand Hall (Atrium) in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |last=الرحمن |first=محمد عبد |date=2025-11-01 |title=تمثال رمسيس.. رحلة الفرعون من ميت رهينة إلى المتحف المصري الكبير |url=https://www.youm7.com/story/2025/11/1/%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%AB%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%B3-%D8%B1%D8%AD%D9%84%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D8%B1%D8%B9%D9%88%D9%86-%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%AA-%D8%B1%D9%87%D9%8A%D9%86%D8%A9-%D8%A5%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AA%D8%AD%D9%81-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B5%D8%B1%D9%8A/7179817 |access-date=2025-11-02 |website=اليوم السابع |language=ar}}</ref>

It houses the statue of Pharaoh [[Ramesses II]] (11 meters, 83 tons) and 20-30 large artifacts from different eras, making it an introductory exhibition. The Grand Staircase connects the 12 main exhibition halls. The statue was moved from Ramses Square in [[Cairo]] to its location (GEM) in 2006 and placed in the Grand Hall (Atrium) in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |last=الرحمن |first=محمد عبد |date=2025-11-01 |title=تمثال رمسيس.. رحلة الفرعون من ميت رهينة إلى المتحف المصري الكبير |url=https://www.youm7.com/story/2025/11/1/%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%AB%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%B3-%D8%B1%D8%AD%D9%84%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D8%B1%D8%B9%D9%88%D9%86-%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%AA-%D8%B1%D9%87%D9%8A%D9%86%D8%A9-%D8%A5%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AA%D8%AD%D9%81-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B5%D8%B1%D9%8A/7179817 |access-date=2025-11-02 |website=اليوم السابع |language=ar}}</ref>

==== The Sun Alignment on the Face of Ramesses II in (Atrium) ====

The Grand Egyptian Museum has recreated the phenomenon of the sun aligning with the face of a colossal statue of [[Pharaoh]] [[Ramesses II]], A series of experiments and studies on the [[phenomenon]] were conducted in 2019, and it was announced at the Grand Egyptian Museum in 2020. This event, which occurs annually on February 21, mimics the alignment of the sun with the face of the original [[Abu Simbel|Abu Simbel temple]] on February 22 and October 22.<ref>{{Cite web |last=فؤاد |first=كتب محمد |date=2024-02-21 |title=تعامد الشمس على وجه رمسيس الثاني بالمتحف المصري الكبير |url=https://www.youm7.com/story/2024/2/21/%D8%AA%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D9%85%D8%B3-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D9%88%D8%AC%D9%87-%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%B3-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AB%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AA%D8%AD%D9%81-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B5%D8%B1%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%B1/6486611 |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=اليوم السابع |language=ar}}</ref>

This phenomenon has occurred 6 times so far, with the exception of 2023 when the weather was bad and thick clouds blocked the sun’s rays.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Independent |first=Egypt |date=2023-02-28 |title=Egyptologist explains reason for sun not aligning on statue of Ramses at Grand Egyptian Museum |url=https://www.birkeundnymphe.noho.st/egyptologist-explains-reason-for-sun-not-aligning-on-statue-of-ramses-at-gem/ |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=Egypt Independent |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Grand Staircase ===

=== Grand Staircase ===

An open staircase serves as a transitional gallery with more than 60 artifacts, leading to the 12 halls. Spanning 6,000 square meters, the structure stands six stories tall (approximately 50 meters), connecting the main lobby (atrium), temporary exhibition halls, and the main archaeological storeroom to the upper terrace, offering another view of the Giza Pyramids.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) |url=https://www.experienceegypt.eg/en/attraction-details/346/the-grand-egyptian-museum-gem- |access-date=2025-10-21 |website=Experience Egypt |language=en}}</ref>

serves as a transitional gallery with more than 60 artifacts, leading to the 12 halls. Spanning 6,000 square meters, the structure stands six stories tall (approximately 50 meters), connecting the main lobby (atrium), temporary exhibition halls, and the main archaeological storeroom to the upper terrace, offering another view of the Giza Pyramids.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) |url=https://www.experienceegypt.eg/en/attraction-details/346/the-grand-egyptian-museum-gem- |access-date=2025-10-21 |website=Experience Egypt |language=en}}</ref>

<gallery mode=”packed” class=”center” heights=”140″>

<gallery mode=”packed” class=”center” heights=”140″>

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| image1 =

| image1 =

}}

}}

Two of the twelve halls are dedicated exclusively to the display of 5,398 artifacts belonging to King [[Tutankhamun]], the pharaoh of the Eighteenth Dynasty (ruled ca. 1332–1323 BC). This is the first time that the entire collection has been displayed in one place, compared to the partial display in the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square previously. These two halls cover an area of ​​7,000 square meters, making them among the largest spaces allocated for a single exhibition within the museum.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-13 |title=163 Treasures From King Tut’s Tomb Arrive at the Grand Egyptian Museum |url=https://news.artnet.com/art-world/grand-egyptian-museum-king-tut-treasures-2643649 |access-date=2025-10-21 |website=Artnet News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tag |first=Nadine |date=2024-10-18 |title=King Tutankhamun’s Collection Will Move to Grand Egyptian Museum for Display |work=Egyptian Streets |url=https://egyptianstreets.com/2024/10/18/king-tutankhamuns-collection-will-move-to-grand-egyptian-museum-for-display/ |access-date=2025-10-21 |language=en-US}}</ref>

Two of the twelve halls are dedicated exclusively to the display of 5,398 artifacts belonging to King [[Tutankhamun]], the pharaoh of the Eighteenth Dynasty (ruled ca. 1332–1323 BC). This is the first time that the entire collection has been displayed in one place, compared to the partial display in the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square previously. These two halls cover an area of ​​7,000 square meters.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-13 |title=163 Treasures From King Tut’s Tomb Arrive at the Grand Egyptian Museum |url=https://news.artnet.com/art-world/grand-egyptian-museum-king-tut-treasures-2643649 |access-date=2025-10-21 |website=Artnet News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tag |first=Nadine |date=2024-10-18 |title=King Tutankhamun’s Collection Will Move to Grand Egyptian Museum for Display |work=Egyptian Streets |url=https://egyptianstreets.com/2024/10/18/king-tutankhamuns-collection-will-move-to-grand-egyptian-museum-for-display/ |access-date=2025-10-21 |language=en-US}}</ref>

[[File:The sarcophagus of Pharaoh Tutankhamun inside the Grand Egyptian Museum.jpg|thumb|333x333px|The [[sarcophagus]] of [[Pharaoh]] [[Tutankhamun]] inside (GEM)]]

[[File:The sarcophagus of Pharaoh Tutankhamun inside the Grand Egyptian Museum.jpg|thumb|333x333px|The [[sarcophagus]] of [[Pharaoh]] [[Tutankhamun]] inside (GEM)]]

The central piece will be the golden [[Mask of Tutankhamun]]. There are three overlapping coffins, one made of gold (110 kg)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-10-27 |title=Innermost Gold Coffin of Tutankhamun |url=https://egypt-museum.com/innermost-coffin-of-tutankhamun/ |access-date=2025-10-21 |website=Egypt Museum |language=en-US}}</ref> and two of gold-plated wood. The Golden Throne is a chair covered in gold and silver, showing scenes of Tutankhamun and his wife Ankhesenamun. There are statues of gods such as Anubis, as well as amulets and jewellery such as necklaces and rings. Daily tools include weapons (daggers, bows), furniture (beds, chairs), and dining utensils. There are [[ushabti]]: small statues or figurines that were used in the afterlife to serve the king).<ref>{{Cite web |title=4 King Tut Artifacts You’ll Find at the Grand Egyptian Museum |url=https://www.discovermagazine.com/4-king-tut-artifacts-youll-find-at-the-grand-egyptian-museum-46808 |access-date=2025-10-21 |website=Discover Magazine |language=en}}</ref>

The central piece the golden [[Mask of Tutankhamun]]. There are three overlapping coffins, one made of gold (110 kg)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-10-27 |title=Innermost Gold Coffin of Tutankhamun |url=https://egypt-museum.com/innermost-coffin-of-tutankhamun/ |access-date=2025-10-21 |website=Egypt Museum |language=en-US}}</ref> and two of gold-plated wood. The Golden Throne is a chair covered in gold and silver, showing scenes of Tutankhamun and his wife Ankhesenamun. There are statues of gods such as Anubis, as well as amulets and jewellery such as necklaces and rings. Daily tools include weapons (daggers, bows), furniture (beds, chairs), and dining utensils. There are [[ushabti]]: small statues or figurines that were used in the afterlife to serve the king).<ref>{{Cite web |title=4 King Tut Artifacts You’ll Find at the Grand Egyptian Museum |url=https://www.discovermagazine.com/4-king-tut-artifacts-youll-find-at-the-grand-egyptian-museum-46808 |access-date=2025-10-21 |website=Discover Magazine |language=en}}</ref>

Tutankhamun’s mummy will remain in the Valley of the Kings and will not be moved.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-16 |title=King Tutankhamun’s mummy won’t be transferred to the Grand Egyptian Museum |url=https://egyptindependent.com/king-tutankhamuns-mummy-wont-be-transferred-to-the-grand-egyptian-museum/ |access-date=2025-10-21 |website=Egypt Independent |language=en-US}}</ref>

Tutankhamun’s mummy will remain in the Valley of the Kings and will not be moved.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-16 |title=King Tutankhamun’s mummy won’t be transferred to the Grand Egyptian Museum |url=https://egyptindependent.com/king-tutankhamuns-mummy-wont-be-transferred-to-the-grand-egyptian-museum/ |access-date=2025-10-21 |website=Egypt Independent |language=en-US}}</ref>

The halls are designed similarly to the original tomb ([[Tomb of Tutankhamun|KV62]]) in the Valley of the Kings. Environmental control systems (such as temperature and humidity control) protect sensitive pieces, especially those made of gold, wood, and fabric.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pappas |first=Costa Beavin |date=2025-01-03 |title=Grand Egyptian Museum, With 12 Galleries Now Open, Recontextualizes Ancient Egyptian History |url=https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/grand-egyptian-museum-giza-cairo-ancient-egyptian-history-tour-1234729204/ |access-date=2025-10-21 |website=ARTnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

The halls are designed similarly to the original [[Tomb of Tutankhamun]] in the Valley of the Kings. Environmental control systems (such as temperature and humidity control) protect sensitive pieces, especially those made of gold, wood, and fabric.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pappas |first=Costa Beavin |date=2025-01-03 |title=Grand Egyptian Museum, With 12 Galleries Now Open, Recontextualizes Ancient Egyptian History |url=https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/grand-egyptian-museum-giza-cairo-ancient-egyptian-history-tour-1234729204/ |access-date=2025-10-21 |website=ARTnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Khufu Ships Museum ===

=== Khufu Ships Museum ===

Archaeological museum in Giza, Egypt

The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM; Egyptian Arabic: المتحف المصري الكبير al-Matḥaf al-Miṣriyy al-Kabir) is an archaeological and national museum located about two kilometres (1.2 miles) from the Giza Pyramid Complex. in Giza, Egypt, the largest museum in the world for a single civilization.^[3][4]

The museum was announced in 1992,^[3] actual construction began in 2005,^[5] and it was fully completed in 2023^[6] at a cost of $1.2 billion.^[7] Trial opening began in October 2024, and the official opening took place on 1 November 2025.^[8]

The museum houses a collection of Egyptian artifacts from various periods of the Egyptian civilization, from the Predynastic Period to Roman Egypt. There are an estimated total of over 100,000 artifacts,^[9] including at least 20,000 that were displayed for the first time ever, such as the complete King Tutankhamun collection comprising 5,398 pieces, on display in a 7,500 m² section of the museum.^[10][11] Some newly-restored pieces will be displayed for the first time, such as the second solar ship of Khufu,^[12] the collection of Queen Hetepheres (mother of King Khufu),^[13] and the collection of Yuya and Thuya (parents of Queen Tiye).

The museum covers a total area of 500,000 m^2[14][15] (5,381,955 sq ft), with a built-up area of 167,000 m^2[16] (1,797,573 sq ft) and floor area of 81,000 m^2[17] (872,000 sq ft). It will also host permanent exhibition galleries, temporary exhibitions, special exhibitions, a children’s museum, and virtual and large-format screens with a total floor area of 32,000 m² (344,445 sq ft).

The museum was built by a joint venture of Egyptian Orascom Construction and the Belgian BESIX Group.^[18]

The Grand Egyptian Museum concept originated in the early 1990s with Farouk Hosni, who served as Minister of Culture from 1987 to 2011. According to Hosni, the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir had become old-fashioned and “Every time I visited the museum it gave me headaches and depression and its restoration was a disaster”.^[19]

The project was officially launched by the government in 1992 under President Hosni Mubarak, who announced plans to build a new museum to house a larger collection of artifacts and to consolidate ancient treasures, In 2002, the foundation stone for the project was laid,^[20] and in 2005 the actual construction work began.^[21]

The Grand Egyptian Museum’s opening has been postponed several times:

• 2020–2021: The Grand Egyptian Museum was scheduled to open in 2020, but was postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which impacted preparations and logistics.^[22]
• 2021–2023: After postponing its opening from 2020 to the last quarter of 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Grand Egyptian Museum faced additional delays due to ongoing logistical challenges, including the completion of construction work, the transportation of artifacts, and preparations for trial operation. It was announced that the official opening was postponed to the end of 2022 or early 2023,^[23] with limited trial operations expected to begin during that period.^[24] The head of the Egyptian Tourist Guides Syndicate, Basem Halaka, announced that the Grand Egyptian Museum would open by the end of 2023.^[25]
• 2023–2024: Minister of Tourism Ahmed Issa stated that the Grand Egyptian Museum will open in May 2024.^[26] This did not happen, but the museum was opened for a trial period to four thousand visitors in October 2024.^[27][28][29] After that, the final opening date was set for 3 July 2025.^[30]
• 2025: The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced that it had postponed the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, which was scheduled to open on 3 July 2025.^[31] In another statement to local newspapers, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said, “All readings indicate that the existing conflict will continue for a while and will not end in a few days, and therefore will have repercussions on the region and on all expected events”^[32][33] referring to the ongoing military conflict between Iran and Israel.

On 6 August 2025, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announced that President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi had agreed to set the GEM’s opening date for 1 November,^[34][8] though it was temporarily closed from 15 October to 3 November 2025, inclusive. The museum resumed receiving visitors during official working hours on 4 November, the 103rd anniversary of the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun.^[35]

The GEM was fully inaugurated on November 1, 2025. The opening ceremony was attended by Egyptian president Abdel Fatah El-Sisi, the First Lady of Egypt, as well as representatives of foreign countries and prominent public figures such as King Philippe of Belgium, King Felipe VI of Spain, Prince Albert II of Monaco, Queen Rania of Jordan, Queen Mary of Denmark, former Grand-Duke Henri of Luxembourg, German President Frank‑Walter Steinmeier, Portuguese president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and others.^{[citation needed]}

Since October 2024, the museum has received approximately 1.5 million visitors over 10 months, with an average of 4,000 visitors per day during the trial opening.^[36]

The museum received 18,000 visitors on its first day after its official opening to the public^[37][38]

The museum contains more than 100,000 artifacts distributed among 12 main permanent exhibition halls, in addition to several other important halls.

The Atrium (Great Hall) of the Grand Egyptian Museum is the main entrance hall with an area of ​​10,000 square meters. Designed with a glass roof and a transparent façade, the Giza Pyramids are visible from inside.

It houses the statue of Pharaoh Ramesses II (11 meters, 83 tons) and 20-30 large artifacts from different eras, making it an introductory exhibition. The Grand Staircase connects the 12 main exhibition halls. The statue was moved from Ramses Square in Cairo to its location (GEM) in 2006 and placed in the Grand Hall (Atrium) in 2018.^[39]

The serves as a transitional gallery with more than 60 artifacts, leading to the 12 halls. Spanning 6,000 square meters, the structure stands six stories tall (approximately 50 meters), connecting the main lobby (atrium), temporary exhibition halls, and the main archaeological storeroom to the upper terrace, offering another view of the Giza Pyramids.^[40]

• 

  Temple fragment

• 

  Grand Staircase

• 

  Pharaoh Hatshepsut

• 

  Ancient Egyptian deities

• 

  Pharaoh Akhenaten

It contains more than 60 artifacts, arranged in four thematic sections that represent a chronological journey (Royal Image: focuses on how and why pharaohs portrayed themselves, with royal statues; Divine Houses: on temples and the relationship between gods and pharaohs, with religious artwork; Gods & Kings: explores ancient Egyptian deities and their association with rulers; Funerary Section: displays stone coffins and sarcophagi from various eras, including a hermione (pyamid head) from the 13th Dynasty.

The exhibits cover about one-third of the total museum’s 50-hectare grounds displaying over 24,000 artefacts in 12 galleries arranged by time period (c.3100BCE~400CE) The artefacts were relocated from storage and museums in Cairo, Luxor, Minya, Sohag, Assiut, Beni Suef, Faiyum, the Nile Delta, and Alexandria.^[41][42]

12 main halls	The time periods covered by each hall	Ancient Egyptian artifacts from those halls
Halls (1-2-3)	The prehistoric eras, the pre-dynastic eras, the early dynastic era, the Old Kingdom era, and the era of the first transition.
Halls (4-5-6)	The Middle Kingdom and the Second Transition.
Halls (7-8-9)	The era of the New Kingdom.
Halls (10-11-12)	Third Transition, the Late Period, the Roman and Greek Periods of Egypt.

Two of the twelve halls are dedicated exclusively to the display of 5,398 artifacts belonging to King Tutankhamun, the pharaoh of the Eighteenth Dynasty (ruled ca. 1332–1323 BC). This is the first time that the entire collection has been displayed in one place, compared to the partial display in the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square previously. These two halls cover an area of ​​7,000 square meters.^[43][44]

The central piece is the golden Mask of Tutankhamun. There are three overlapping coffins, one made of gold (110 kg)^[45] and two of gold-plated wood. The Golden Throne is a chair covered in gold and silver, showing scenes of Tutankhamun and his wife Ankhesenamun. There are statues of gods such as Anubis, as well as amulets and jewellery such as necklaces and rings. Daily tools include weapons (daggers, bows), furniture (beds, chairs), and dining utensils. There are ushabti: small statues or figurines that were used in the afterlife to serve the king).^[46]

Tutankhamun’s mummy will remain in the Valley of the Kings and will not be moved.^[47]

The halls are designed similarly to the original Tomb of Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings. Environmental control systems (such as temperature and humidity control) protect sensitive pieces, especially those made of gold, wood, and fabric.^[48]

The Khufu Ships Museum is a separate hall dedicated to displaying the two solar boats of King Khufu (the builder of the Great Pyramid), which are some of the oldest wooden ships discovered in history, approximately 4,600 years old^[49]. Included is an interactive display explaining their proposed purpose(s) (perhaps to transport the king into the afterlife or his travels with the sun god Ra). It was transferred in August 2021 from the Old Giza Museum.^[50]

The Children’s Museum at GEM is an interactive space for children aged 6 to 12, emphasizing learning through play rather than traditional exhibits, it covers 5,000 square meters, with experiences including interactive screens, Augmented reality (AR), and hands-on games, as well as various visual exhibits and guided programs. It has been partially open since August 2024.^[51]

The Grand Egyptian Museum’s Conference Center is designed to serve as an international hub for communication between museums and cultural institutions. It aims to host conferences, seminars, and educational events related to ancient Egyptian civilization and archaeology.

It covers a total area of ​​40,000 square meters, divided into multi-use areas. It includes a main auditorium with a capacity of 1,000 seats, three seminar halls with a capacity of 250 seats each, as well as exhibition spaces, meeting rooms, a business center, and a press room. There is also a 250-seat 3D theater. The design is inspired by ancient Pharaonic sites.^[52] Located within the main complex, it is accessible via the main atrium, with accessibility facilities for the disabled, including elevators and rest areas.

Four Temporary Exhibition Halls, dedicated to the display of temporary artifacts or international exhibitions. These cover a total of 5,000 square metres. These are part of 32,000 square metres dedicated to non-permanent displays.^[53]

The Grand Egyptian Museum’s Conservation Center is one of the largest conservation and restoration centers in the world and the largest center for the restoration of antiquities in the Middle East. It was established in 2006 and opened in 2010.^[53] It is located west of the museum and connected to it via a tunnel approximately 200 meters long. The center houses 19 laboratories including those for the restoration of mummies, wood, stones, wall paintings, and metals, in addition to laboratories for preventive conservation and scientific documentation. It also contains six storage rooms for preserving artifacts in controlled environmental conditions.^[54]

The building design was decided by an architectural competition announced on 7 January 2002.^[55] The organisers received 1,557 entries from 82 countries, making it the second largest architectural competition in history.^[56] In the second stage of the competition, 20 entries submitted additional information on their designs. Judging was complete by 2 June 2003. The competition was won by architects Róisín Heneghan and Shi-Fu Peng, and their company Heneghan Peng Architects of Ireland; the prize was US$250,000.^[57] Heneghan Peng, Buro Happold, Arup and ACE Consulting Engineers (Moharram and Bakhoum) collaborated on the design of the building. The landscape and site masterplan was designed by West 8; the exhibition masterplan, exhibition design, and museology was led by Atelier Brückner.^[58] On 2 February 2010, Hill International announced that Egypt’s Ministry of Culture had signed a contract with a joint venture of Hill and EHAF Consulting Engineers to provide project management services during the design and construction of the Grand Egyptian Museum.^[59]

The building’s shape is a chamfered triangle. It sits on a site 2 kilometres (1.2 miles) northwest of the pyramids, near a motorway interchange. The building’s north and south walls line up directly with the Great Pyramid of Khufu and the Pyramid of Menkaure. The front of the museum includes a large plaza filled with date palms and a façade made of translucent alabaster stone. Inside the main entrance is a large atrium where large statues are exhibited.

The facade of the museum is made of marble and glass and is decorated with cartouches and ovals surrounding Egyptian hieroglyphs bearing the names of kings and queens.^[60]

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  The main gate of the Grand Egyptian Museum during the construction phase 2019

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  A guide map of the Grand Egyptian Museum facilities

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  Hieroglyphic decorations on the walls of the Grand Egyptian Museum

On 10 June 2018, the museum’s logo was revealed. The logo was designed by Tariq Atrissi.^[61] The cost of the design amounted to 800,000 Egyptian pounds, which included the costs of designing the museum exhibition implemented by the German company Atelier Bruckner.^[62]

The GEM’s management structure includes the Board of Trustees, the Board of Directors, and the Museum’s CEO and vice presidents.

The Board of Trustees is an oversight group responsible for approving the policy and plans of the Museum Authority.^[63] It consists of a 16-person council which sits for a term of 3 years. The composition, term length and scope of work of the Board of Trustees are determined by the President of Egypt.^[64]

The museum has hosted different artistic and cultural events and venues since its partial opening. On 20 January 2023, the first musical concert held in the museum had Egypt’s soprano Fatma Said along with United Philharmonic Orchestra & Choir led by Nader Abbassi.^[65]