The Grand Egyptian Museum Offering A Glimpse Before Its official Opening

The grand Egyptian Museum is a golden piece of art made to open miraculous portals to different pocket dimensions filled with the greatest collections of artifacts and monuments ever made in the vast history of the world. At the beginning of 2023, Egypt Tours Portal became one of the first travel companies in Egypt to offer tours to this heavenly wonder which is able to shed light on the evolution of the ancient Egyptian civilization across 7000 years.

The gem will act as the ultimate reflection displaying the creative mind, artistic taste, mythical dogma, and masterful skill of ancient Egypt who was able to carve the name of their culture across the stones of time. The Egyptians across the ages have always had the gift and power to innovate and to create, as seen by the colossal miracle known as the gem which hopes to produce awareness and make a highly positive impact on the planet.

The grand Egyptian museum is a highly vivid piece of art made to resemble the ancient Egyptian pyramids and temple while being a state of art facility exhibiting an ideal blend of modern and ancient styles while protecting a trove of glorious treasures that each has a story to tell. Booking one of the Grand Egyptian museum tours is highly recommended to ensure you get the most out of your visit. With a knowledgeable guide, you can explore the vast collection and learn about the fascinating history and culture of ancient Egypt. Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the wonders of one of the world’s most ancient civilizations.

The History and Construction

The construction history of the grand Egyptian museum started in the start of 2002 when president Hosni Mubarak decided that it is time for Egypt to have its own gigantic museum the dream started to take shape when the foundation stone was put in place in the same year. The statue of Ramses II was moved from Ramses square in Cairo to the Giza pyramids plateau in 2006 and then to the gem atrium in 2018.

A funding campaign began in 2007 to raise a billion dollars for the grand Egyptian museum took place by securing $300 million dollars from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, $147 million dollars taken from the Egyptian government, and the rest gathered from many international organizations and numerous donations. The construction started in 2008 through earthmoving and the entire tendering process was completed in 2013. Building the structure of the gem museum began by the Belgian company BESIX who established a joint venture with Orascom Construction (OC) as the official contractor for the cost of $810 million. BESIX is responsible for the transportation of a 3,200-year-old statue of Ramses II that weighed 82 tons and also the chariots of Tutankhamun. The museum was completed in 2022 after a series of delays and the grand opening is set for late 2023.

Architecture of the GEM

The grand Egyptian Museum is an architectural miracle showcasing the finest examples of ancient and modern styles which came for the second largest architectural competition on earth. The ministry of tourism declared a mega competition was declared and 1,557 entries were accepted from 82 countries and only 20 were able to reach the finals. The winning design took the prize of $250,000 which was made by the architects who are Róisín Heneghan and Shi-Fu Peng who created the Irish company Heneghan Peng. The main Structural engineer was Arup, and the Services engineer Buro Happold. The company that was responsible for making the exhibition masterplan and design is West 8. Atelier Brückner was responsible for managing the aspect of museology of the gem. A joint venture was conducted between EHAF and Hill consulting engineers in 2010 to offer project management during the construction period. The winning design includes a chamfered triangle which has an epic flat top and marvelous sloping sides reaching the epic height of 50 m. The exterior design is clad in limestone in order to mimic the golden stones to create this heavenly pyramid. All the panels are made of laser-cut limestone that carries incredible patterns resembling the traditional Egyptian motifs that include the papyrus plant and the lotus flower.

Opening Time and Tickets

The GEM museum is now partially open and operate every day which is open for 4-time slots which are:

10 am — 12 pm — 2 pm — 4 pm

And the prices include:

• Egyptian Adult 150 LE
• Egyptian Child/ Student 75 LE
• Foreign Adult 1000 LE
• Foreign Child/Student 500 LE

Light show (Begins After 6 PM):

• For the young 2500 LE
• For Adults 4500 LE

The Collections and Exhibits

The museum is found 2 km (1.2 miles) northwest of the golden pyramids of Giza and is about 15 km from Cairo. It holds an area of 480,000 square metres (5,200,000 sq ft) which a floor area of 81,000 square metres (870,000 sq ft) containing many series of galleries that hold over 100,000 artifacts, some of which have never been seen before plus the exhibition hall has about 18000 rare artifacts. All the artifacts are taken from the rich findings of Egypt which are taken from secured warehouses found in Luxor, Minya, Sohag, Beni Suef, the Delta, Fayoum, Assiut, and Alexandria. Everyone at the current moment can witness the following during the limited visits:

• Conservation Centre.
• The Royal Regalia.
• The Victory Column of King Mercnptah.
• Solar Boat of King Khufu.
• Hanging Obelisk.
• 10 Statues of King Senusert.
• King Ramses Il Statue.
• Statues of Ptolemaic King and Queen.
• Grand staircase.
• Grand Atrium & Gift shop.

Some of the most exhibition found in the museum is the hall of Tutankhamun which hold the golden death mask of Tutankhamun which is one of the most famous ancient Egyptian artifacts in history. A solid gold coffin and sarcophagus where the mummified body of the pharaoh was found. A variety of golden thrones and chairs are decorated with intricate engravings and precious stones. An extensive collection of jewelry including necklaces, bracelets, and earrings, made from gold, silver, and precious stones. A range of weapons such as bows and arrows, daggers, and spears, some of which were ornately decorated. Numerous chariots and other vehicles, many of which were made of wood and inlaid with gold. Many everyday objects, such as clothing, cosmetics, and games like the senet provide a glimpse into the daily life of the pharaoh and his court. There are also a number of incredible carved boats. Statues of gods and goddesses plus the figurines of animals and humans. Amulets and other religious artifacts are used for protection and healing. Various tools and implements are used in the process of mummification.

The Role of Technology in the Grand Egyptian Museum

The museum is a state-of-the-art majestic wonder that uses the best technological means in the field of museology in order to enhance the visitor’s touring experience. It uses its technological innovation in the display, accessibility, and preservation of the artifacts in the gem. The gem has digitized all the artifacts in the museum to make them accessible for everyone to explore as the digital archive of the museum has high-resolution images, 3D models, and detailed descriptions of each artifact. The gem will use virtual reality headsets which will offer a simulated tour of the Pyramids of Giza, the Karnak temples, and more. There will also be Augmented reality headsets that will have digital overlays of artifacts, providing additional information and context. One of the most amazing features of the gem is the interactive exhibits that use technology to engage visitors as everyone will have touchscreens to explore different aspects of ancient Egyptian life or take part in a virtual excavation.

Conservation and Preservation

Technology is being used to preserve and protect the artifacts in the museum’s collection. High-tech humidity and temperature control systems are in place to ensure the artifacts are kept in optimal conditions. Advanced lighting systems are also being used to reduce the amount of light exposure to the artifacts. The gem uses a state of art displaying up to 122 designed by an Italian company “Goppion” to offer the finest protection on all the organic and fragile artifacts. The gem has a children’s museum, a conference center, a training center, and lovely workshops designed in a marvelous ancient Pharaonic style.

The Economic and Social Impact

The gem has a deep positive social and economic impact on the entire country of Egypt as it will definitely lead to a spike and rise in the tourism rates and in turn a raise in the revenue which could add to more than $1 billion per year, making it a significant contributor to the country’s GDP. It is also set to generate thousands of jobs now and in the near future. The museum will showcase Egypt’s ancient heritage and culture to the whole world, which is expected to enhance the country’s image and promote a sense of national pride among its people. The museum will also serve as an educational center, providing an opportunity for visitors to learn about Egypt’s history, culture, and civilization. This is expected to promote cultural exchange and enhance intercultural understanding. And able all else to preserve the cultural and historical heritage of Egypt. The project has also provided training opportunities for Egyptian archaeologists and conservationists, enhancing their skills and knowledge in the field of cultural heritage preservation which will in turn lead to many discoveries and innovations in the field of Egyptology.

The Future of the Grand Egyptian Museum

The Grand Egyptian museum is designed to open in late 2023 and is designed to become of the greatest and biggest museums on the face of the earth which is dedicated to the epic glory of the ancient Egyptian civilization only. It will be a remarkable achievement for Egypt and a significant cultural institution for the world. The GEM will showcase Egypt’s rich history and culture and provide an unparalleled experience for visitors. It will also create jobs and opportunities for the local community and contribute to Egypt’s economy and society for generations to come. At the current moment, the gem offers limited access during its  soft opening to test the facilities and the capacities of the entire museum which will offer a great chance for everyone to catch a glimpse of this immortal treasure.

Tours to the GEM

Egypt Tour is one of the best travel agencies in Egypt and the first to customize tours and trips across the magical halls of the grand Egyptian museum at any time with the most ideal and relaxing services. Everyone has the chance to explore this miraculous gem and discover all the magnificent treasures that provide an insightful glimpse by shedding light on hundred of thousands of artifacts that narrate how the ancient Egyptian civilization came into existence and achieved everlasting fame and immortality.