Landmark Museum Opening Slated For July: Egypt’s GEM Nears Completion

Egypt has always been a sought-after destination for history lovers and travel buffs. Land of the Pharaohs, Egypt, offers a blend of historical and architectural wonders, natural beauty in the Sahara desert and cultural significance, making it a must-visit country for history enthusiasts.  Soon, there will be another reason to visit the country: The Grand Egyptian Museum. This modern marvel will open its gates to the public in July 2025 after years of planning, construction and anticipation. The Grand Egyptian Museum will now welcome guests from all around the world to view more than 50,000 artefacts. Situated near the iconic Pyramids of Giza, the new museum would be the largest archaeological museum in the world.  

A Two-Decade-Long Development Journey

The Egyptian government first announced a worldwide competition for designing the world’s largest museum dedicated to a single civilisation to preserve ancient global treasures in January 2002. It was only in 2003 that the winner of the design competition was announced at a press conference in Cairo, after which a foundation stone was also laid at the site. An Irish firm named Heneghan Peng Architects was chosen for the job with a blueprint to create a modern museum. This site was around two kilometres from the Pyramids of Giza, on the outskirts of Cairo.  

The construction process finally started in 2005 but soon faced political and financial setbacks, leading to a delay. In 2011, the work on the project came to a complete halt due to anti-government protests. As the government stabilised in 2014, the work got back on track, and the project was resumed. 

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A Massive Archaeological Marvel With 12 Galleries And More Than 50,000 Artefacts

After its completion in 2025, the Grand Egyptian Museum will be the largest museum complex dedicated to a single civilisation, sprawling over an area of approximately 5,00,000 square metres of floor space, displaying 12 galleries and exhibiting over 50,000 artefacts. The museum’s building is dominated by a triangular-patterned stone facade made from limestone. The museum’s structure is inspired by the Great Pyramids and Egypt’s hieroglyphic precision and opens towards the Nile Valley. The surrounding plaza of the museum has neatly lined date palms, geometric gardens and reflective pools.

The museum’s structure includes a wide slope leading to a pyramid-shaped doorway. Inside, the museum features sand-coloured stone, concrete, glass and metal accents. Thematic galleries explore Egyptian civilisation across time, with exhibits arranged chronologically and conceptually. The museum’s atrium houses a majestic 3,200-year-old, 36-foot-tall statue of Egyptian Pharaoh Ramesses II, surrounded by shallow water bodies. The building uses skylights to illuminate the artefacts, especially in the main atrium, where natural light floods Ramesses’ statue. A grand staircase outlined with pharaonic statues takes visitors to the viewing deck overlooking the meticulously landscaped gardens and the Mighty Pyramids. The museum’s interiors are marked by Egypt’s ancient design styles that are historically inclined, symmetrical, and symbolic. There is also the use of design elements like neat angular windows, geometric slopes, obelisks, pylons and more.

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Unveiling More Than 5000 Artefacts From King Tutankhamun’s Tomb

The artefacts on display at the Grand Egyptian Museum will include the contents of the tomb of Tutankhamun, one of the most significant pharaohs of the 18th century of ancient Egypt. Tutankhamun’s tomb was discovered in 1922, making the pharaoh an important connection in how the world views Egyptian history. The treasures from the tomb are estimated to be around 5000 objects and will be revealed to the masses. The items may range from personal objects like garments, jewellery, chariots, and his golden funerary mask to a throne and furniture. When it opens, the Grand Egyptian Museum won’t just showcase ancient treasures—it will become one. A new icon for Cairo, and a compelling reason to rediscover Egypt.