Egypt officially opened the highly anticipated Grand Egyptian Museum, the largest museum worldwide dedicated to its ancient civilization. Situated near the Giza Pyramids in Cairo, this $1 billion museum, in development for twenty years, showcases over 50,000 artifacts spanning Egypt’s history from prehistoric eras to the Roman period.
Dignitaries and world leaders, including monarchs and heads of state, graced the inauguration, hailed by the Egyptian presidency as a significant occurrence in human culture and civilization. President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi praised the museum for embodying the brilliance of ancient Egyptians and the innovation of modern Egyptians, establishing itself as a prominent global cultural icon.
With a distinctive triangular glass exterior reminiscent of the nearby pyramids, the museum boasts 24,000 square meters of permanent exhibition space. Visitors are welcomed by a magnificent staircase adorned with ancient statues leading to the main galleries, offering breathtaking views of the Giza Plateau. The museum is connected to the pyramids through a pedestrian bridge and electric vehicles.
Among the museum’s twelve main galleries, special attention is given to King Tutankhamun’s collection, showcasing over 5,000 artifacts displayed together for the first time since their discovery in 1922. The exhibit includes King Tut’s golden throne, funerary beds, chariots, and his iconic gold burial mask. Renowned archaeologist Zahi Hawass highlighted the Tutankhamun exhibit as the museum’s standout feature, noting the anticipation surrounding its opening.
After facing political unrest and construction delays since its inception in 2005, the museum’s completion has been a significant achievement. The Egyptian government also undertook modernization efforts in the surrounding areas, enhancing infrastructure, building a metro station, and inaugurating the Sphinx International Airport to facilitate tourist access.
The Grand Egyptian Museum is expected to revitalize Egypt’s tourism sector, which has been gradually recovering following setbacks from the 2011 Arab Spring. Egypt attracted a record-breaking 15.7 million tourists in 2024, contributing approximately 8% to the GDP, with ambitions to double this number by 2032. The museum will welcome the public starting next Tuesday.