Egypt has officially unveiled the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), which is one of the megaprojects championed by President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi since he took
office in 2014. The main reason to construct this museum was to draw more visitors to revitalise the country's tourist economy. Situated on the Giza Plateau near Cairo, which is home to the iconic pyramids and the Sphinx, the museum is set to become the world's largest institution dedicated to a single civilisation. The GEM showcases about 5,000 artefacts from across 7,000 years of Egyptian civilisation. The greatest highlight of the museum is the display of treasures from Tutankhamun's Tomb. Visitors can now see everything that was found in his burial chamber, including his chariots, golden death mask, intricately carved throne, and even his preserved food offerings meant to accompany him into the afterlife. The GEM also features statues of kings and queens Senusret I and Ptolemaic, apart from other significant rulers of the region.
Architectural grandeur: A monument to modern Egypt
To enter the museum, visitors will pass through a pyramid-shaped atrium, where they will be greeted by the grand obelisk of Ramses II, also known as Ramses the Great, who ruled Egypt for more than 60 years.
Another highlight, especially for history and culture enthusiasts, is the King Khufu's Boats Museum, which includes a fully reconstructed boat. This section tells the story of how the River Nile played an important role in shaping Egypt's civilisation, serving as its main artery for trade and culture.
From the museum's vast atrium, a six-storey grand staircase is lined up with towering statues of ancient rulers and leads up to the main galleries and a breathtaking view of the Giza pyramids nearby. The museum complex is directly connected to the pyramids by a bridge, allowing tourists to move between the two sites either on foot or by electric vehicles.
The museum also has 12 main galleries, opened last year, and allow visitors to take a journey through Egypt's history, from prehistoric times to the Roman era.
During the press conference, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly described the Grand Egyptian Museum as a “gift from Egypt to the world,” celebrating a nation whose history spans more than 7,000 years.
During its official inauguration, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi stated, “This magnificent edifice is not just a place; it is a living testament to the genius of the Egyptian people who built the pyramids and inscribed their story on the walls.” He added, “Egypt has inspired all the peoples of the earth, and from the banks of the Nile, civilisation and human progress have shone forth.”
The museum will be open to the public starting Tuesday (November 4).
