Grand Egyptian museum
Grand Egyptian Museum is a national archaeological museum in Giza, Egypt. Dedicated to Ancient Egypt and its culture, society, and artifacts, the GEM is the largest museum in the world for a single civilization. Located about 2 kilometers (1.2 mi) from the Giza Pyramid Complex,
the museum houses a collection of Egyptian artifacts from various periods of Egyptian civilization, from the Predynastic Period to Roman Egypt. There are an estimated total of over 100,000 artifacts, 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 (81,000 ft2) section of the museum.[Some newly-restored pieces will be displayed for the first time, such as the second solar ship of Khufu, the collection of Queen Hetepheres (mother of King Khufu),[9] and the collection of Yuya and Thuya (parents of Queen Tiye).
The museum covers a total area of 500,000 m2 (5,400,000 ft2), with a built-up area of 167,000 m2 (1,800,000 ft2) and floor area of 81,000 m2 (870,000 ft2) 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 (340,000 ft2). The GEM was first announced in 1992
actual construction began in 2005, and it was fully completed in 2023 at a cost of $1.2 billion. Trial opening began in October 2024, and the official opening took place on 1 November 2025. The museum was built by a joint venture of Egyptian Orascom Construction and the Belgian BESIX Group.
History
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
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, and in 2005 the actual construction work began
Opening and postponement
Grand Egyptian Museum was scheduled to open in 2020, but was postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which impacted preparations and logistic 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, with limited trial operations expected to begin during that period. The head of the Egyptian Tourist Guides Syndicate, Basem Halaka, announced that the Grand Egyptian Museum would open by the end of 2023. Minister of Tourism Ahmed Issa stated that the Grand Egyptian Museum will open in May 2024.
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.
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 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” referring to the ongoing military conflict between Iran and Israel.
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, 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
The GEM was fully inaugurated on 1 November 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, Palestine president Mahmoud Abbas, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and others
Collections and visit
Grand Hall (Atrium)
The Atrium (Great Hall) of the Grand Egyptian Museum is the main entrance hall, spanning 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 t (183,000 lb)) 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
Grand Staircase
staircase serves as a transitional gallery with more than 60 artifacts, leading to the 12 halls. Spanning 6,000 m2 (65,000 ft2), the structure stands six stories tall (approximately 50 m (160 ft)), connecting the main lobby (atrium), temporary exhibition halls, and the main archaeological storeroom to the upper terrace, offering another view of the Giza Pyramids.
t 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 (pyramid head) from the 13th Dynasty.
Tutankhamun Halls
King Tutankhamun
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 the entire collection has been displayed in one place, unlike the partial display at the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square previously. These two halls cover 7,000 square meters
The central piece is the golden Mask of Tutankhamun.There are three overlapping coffins, one made of gold (110 kg) 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 jewelers 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.
Tutankhamun’s mummy will remain in the Valley of the Kings and will not be moved.
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
Khufu Ships Museum
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 among the oldest wooden ships ever discovered, dating to approximately 4,600 years ago. 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 from the old Giza Solar boat museum in August 2021
Children’s Museum
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 and offers experiences including interactive screens, Augmented reality (AR), and hands-on games, along with various visual exhibits and guided programs. It has been partially open since August 2024
Conference Center
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 m2 (430,000 ft2), 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, 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. Located within the main complex, it is accessible via the main atrium, with accessibility facilities for the disabled, including elevators and rest areas.
Temporary Exhibition Halls
Four Temporary Exhibition Halls are dedicated to the display of temporary artifacts or international exhibitions. These cover a total of 5,000 m2 (54,000 ft2). These are part of 32,000 m2 (340,000 ft2) dedicated to non-permanent displays
