Moustafa Allam
Consolidating the history and culture of one of the world’s oldest and greatest civilisations in a single, spectacular location, the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) offers its visitors a unique, glamorous experience.
In fact, Egyptians cannot be prouder of their remarkable history and civilisation, as well as the tireless work that made this project possible.
The opening of GEM marked a defining moment in Egypt’s cultural history. The construction of the GEM kicked off in 2005, featuring a creative architectural design with a view of the Giza Pyramids.
“When I watched the opening ceremony and saw the elite guests from all over the world, I felt deeply proud of my country’s history and civilization,” Mariam Mohamed, a university student, told The Egyptian Gazette.
She added that Egyptian civilization is truly one of a kind, as reflected in the Mummies Museum and the way ancient history has been preserved and presented.
“Now the whole world can see the greatness of our ancestors and the effort Egypt makes to honor them,” she said.
Located near the Giza Pyramids, the museum stands as one of the largest archaeological museums in the world. Spanning nearly 500,000 meters, it rises about 50 metres due to the carving of the Nile’s path through the desert to the Mediterranean Sea.
The museum features some of the rarest ancient Egyptian treasures. For the first time since their discovery in 1954, the two boats of King Khufu—the oldest and largest wooden vessels ever found — are displayed together under one roof at the GEM complex.
The main galleries contain various thematic sections related to royalty, society and religion. The centerpieces of the museum are an imposing staircase that extends across all floors and an atrium with an 11-metre-high statue of Pharaoh Ramses II seated on his throne.
“I really enjoyed the amazing ceremony,” Mohamed Atteya told The Gazette. “The organization, lighting, and music were remarkable. It showed how Egypt respects its past and looks forward to the future.”
The GEM’s opening is expected to strengthen Egypt’s tourism sector, attracting millions of new visitors annually which provide a much-needed boost to the nation’s economy.
