The Grand Egyptian Museum ( GEM) authority debuted trial operations of its main galleries starting October 16, to ensure a unique visitors experience ahead of its highly anticipated official opening.
The Grand Egyptian Museum stands as the largest archaeological museum in the world dedicated to a single civilization, narrating over 700,000 years of ancient Egyptian history. The Grand Egyptian Museum is a monumental wonder that celebrates the past, present, and future.
Grand Egyptian Museum’s visitors can now enjoy an exclusive preview of twelve meticulously curated exhibition halls.
GEM’s main galleries will take its visitors on an exceptional historical journey through ancient times spanning from prehistoric times (700,000 BC) to the Roman era (circa 394 AD).
GEM’s visitors will also enjoy the museum's accessible spaces, including the Children’s Museum, outdoor gardens, and the GEM’s commercial area which includes restaurants, cafes, and shops showcasing acclaimed Egyptian brands. The iconic Hanging Obelisk greets guests at the museum entrance. The hanging obelisk shows the ingenuity of the ancient Egyptian civilization in designing and sculpting monuments. It is the first hanging obelisk square in the world.
Inside GEM, the majestic Grand Hall houses the colossal statue of King Ramesses II, the Victory Column of King Merneptah, and the statues of a Ptolemaic king and queen—treasures that vividly connect Egypt’s past with the present.
The Grand Staircase adds to the museum’s grandeur, featuring over 60 impressive royal statues, stelae, columns, and sarcophagi, further enhancing the immersive experience as visitors ascend through ancient Egypt’s legacy.
The Great Staircase in the Grand Egyptian Museum will serve as an introduction to the museum and is called Area 1. The foyer contains a colossal statue of King Ramses II.
The Great Staircase focuses on two themes, the royal image, and the deities and kings. It is divided into four sections. The first section deals with how the king was represented in the three-dimensional sculptures.
The second section focuses on the status of the deities in ancient Egypt, and this will include the representation of the kings during their participation in religious rituals and the making of offerings to the deities.
This will be displayed in addition to the pillars and columns of the temples constructed to the deities, from the Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms.
Visitors will encounter a vast array of valuable artifacts, presented within three interconnected themes, Kingship, Society, and Beliefs revealing how these elements shaped the dynamic relationship between ancient Egyptian kings, their belongings, and the gods.
The collection in the main galleries can be appreciated both as individual masterpieces and as part of a broader historical narrative, offering an unparalleled exploration of Egypt’s rich heritage. This offers a unique opportunity to witness the development of Egyptian culture from its earliest roots to its complex, vibrant civilization.
Tutankhamun Galleries will remain completely closed until the museum’s official opening.
This phase marks another step forward for the GEM, which is still in its trial operations phase, following the successful soft openings of select areas, including private tours and events since November 2022.
The Grand Egyptian Museum will house more than 50,000 artifacts including all the personal holdings of the Golden King Tutankhamun, all gathered for the first time in one place.
The entire world is highly anticipating the official launch of the Grand Egyptian Museum.
Covering an expansive area of approximately 500,000 square meters, the GEM is poised to exhibit 5,000 relics from Tutankhamun's collection, including 2,000 artifacts that will be publicly displayed for the first time.
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