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A SIGNIFICANT new museum is set to open, and it will be the largest archaeology museum in the world.
The Grand Egyptian Museum, located in the popular winter destination of Cairo, Egypt, will officially welcome visitors this weekend after a decade of delays.
The Grand Egyptian Museum located in Cairo, Egypt will open this weekendCredit: Reuters
The museum has faced more than a decade of postponed openingsCredit: AFP
Inside, visitors can discover ancient Egyptian civilizationCredit: AFP
The new museum chronicles the history of civilization and cost approximately $1 billion (£761 million) to construct.
One of the main highlights is the Galleries, which house 5,000 artifacts discovered from the famous pharaoh’s tomb back in 1922.
Visitors will also have the chance to view his golden coffin, unearthed over a century ago.
In another section, guests can find two of King Khufu’s solar boats, the pharaoh who commissioned the construction of the Pyramid of Giza, which were discovered nearby.
If you're hoping for a view of the pyramids, simply look out from the building’s expansive windows.
The galleries are organized by eras of Egyptian civilization, including the Predynastic, the Old Kingdom, the Middle Kingdom, the Late Kingdom, the Ptolemaic, and the Roman Period.
Throughout the museum, there are numerous interactive features such as pyramid building and papyrus making, along with a variety of shops.
According to Time Out, the museum boasts around 250,000 triangular stone pieces that form its northern facade.
There is also a pyramid-shaped entrance adorned with gold hieroglyphics.
Upon entering, you will encounter a vast atrium featuring an 11-meter tall statue of Ramses II – the pharaoh who reigned from 1279 to 1213 BCE.
Also located in the atrium is a collection of shops.
In total, the museum covers an area equivalent to 93 football pitches and, once fully operational, will display over 100,000 artifacts.
After your visit, you can head to the pyramids, which are just over a mile away.
Ahmed Youssel, CEO of the Egyptian Tourism Authority, shared with Time Out: “It’s not just a museum; it’s a cultural hub.
“You don’t merely observe history; you experience it.”
This includes viewing 5,000 objects from Tutankhamun’s tombCredit: Getty
The museum also offers views of the Pyramids, located just over a mile awayCredit: AFP
“That’s the vision. When we develop new museums, we incorporate concepts like augmented reality – digital elements throughout.”
The museum was initially scheduled to open in 2013 but has faced multiple delays due to various factors, including politics, regional conflicts, budget constraints, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last year, it had a soft launch in anticipation of this weekend's official opening.
Admission prices to the museum are £23.36 for adults and £
