As visitors enter the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), they are immediately greeted by a towering symbol of Egypt’s grandeur: the magnificent Statue of King Ramses II. Standing proudly in the Grand Hall, he serves as a gracious host, inviting each visitor into a world of ancient wonder and discovery. This iconic monument not only embodies Egypt’s rich and storied past, but also warmly extends an invitation to explore its treasures.
Ramses II reigned during the 19th Dynasty of the New Kingdom (circa 1279–1213 BC). Renowned for his military victories and extraordinary architectural achievements, his legacy continues to inspire fascination around the globe.
The statue’s journey to the museum is itself a testament to both reverence for history and the spirit of innovation.
Originally standing in Cairo’s busy Ramses Square, it was transported in a carefully choreographed procession, first to a site near the museum, and finally to its regal place in the Grand Hall. This operation, watched by people around the world, underscored the statue’s profound historical and cultural significance.
In harmony with the museum’s vision of blending timeless heritage with modern marvels, Major General Atef Moftah, Engineering Supervisor of the GEM Project, and researcher Ahmed Awad, have proposed a breathtaking tribute: to recreate a solar alignment so that Ramses II’s face is illuminated by the sunrise each year.
Inspired by the famous alignments at Abu Simbel on February 21 and October 21, this phenomenon will become an annual celebration of ancient Egyptian astronomy, architecture, and spirituality. The museum’s design carefully considers local climate and sunrise angles to bring this vision to life.
Treasures of the Grand Hall
The statue of Ramses II is joined by other remarkable artifacts, each adding their own voice to Egypt’s timeless story:
– Column of King Merneptah: This 5.6-metre-tall column of rosy pink granite, originally from Heliopolis, commemorates Merneptah’s victory over the Libyans. Merneptah – Ramses II’s fourteenth son and successor – stands as a symbol of Egypt’s dynastic continuity. Relocated from the Citadel, it now holds a place of honour in the Grand Hall.
– Statue of a King and Queen (Ptolemaic Period): Discovered in the now-submerged city of Thonis-Heracleion, these pink granite statues likely represent Ptolemy II and his deified queen, Arsinoe II. They embody the fusion between Egypt’s pharaonic legacy and Greco-Roman influences, with Arsinoe also revered as a guardian of sailors.
The Grand Staircase: Ascending through history
An invitation to journey through millennia, the Grand Staircase soars 26 meters skyward, gracefully dividing into four thematic sections across 108 steps, each step an unfolding chapter of Egypt’s enduring story:
Royal Identity: Statues trace the evolution of kingship, from the earliest dynasties through to the Greco-Roman era. Here, you’ll encounter a pink granite statue of King Seti I, Middle Kingdom effigies that may represent Kings Senusret III or Amenemhat IV, as well as statues of royal princesses.
Sacred Spaces: Highlighting the king’s sacred role in temple-building, this area features Old Kingdom red granite columns and architraves of King Sahure, as well as a stoic sphinx of King Amenemhat III.
Kings and Deities: Celebrating the divine bond between rulers and gods, this section displays statues of deities and royal triads, including a sandstone statue of Ptah and a captivating carving of Ramses II under divine protection.
Eternal Life: Here, artifacts associated with royal tombs and pyramids remind us of the ancient Egyptians’ belief in immortality, where death is but a gateway to eternity, and hope and transformation blossom ever anew.
Meeting monumental challenges with ingenious solutions
Bringing these majestic, fragile artifacts safely to the Grand Staircase demanded remarkable innovation. As Major General Moftah explains, “We faced a significant engineering challenge in transporting and installing these invaluable antiquities.”
Many are massive, delicate, and truly irreplaceable. To meet this challenge, a bespoke machine was designed, travelling along iron rails on a dedicated 350-meter track, to gently and securely transport each artifact, keeping them perfectly upright throughout their ascent to the staircase’s four gracefully elevated levels.
A warm invitation to discovery
The Grand Hall and its soaring staircase represent the spirit of the GEM: honour for the past, ingenuity in the present, and a welcoming embrace to all who come seeking the marvels of Egypt’s civilisation.
In the next part of our journey, we will explore the museum’s dazzling Main Galleries and the treasures of King Tutankhamun, revealing even more wonders of ancient Egypt.
Missed the previous article?
Discover Part 2: The Suspended Obelisk & the iconic façade in GEM’s epic journey.
