The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), also referred to as the Giza Museum, is poised to become the world’s largest archaeological museum dedicated to a single civilization. Situated just 2 kilometers from the iconic Giza Pyramids, this groundbreaking institution is not just a museum—it’s a cultural complex that celebrates Egypt’s ancient heritage while embracing modern architectural and technological innovations. Covering an impressive 490,000 square meters (120 acres), GEM is designed to host millions of visitors annually and showcase Egypt’s vast historical treasures in an immersive and unparalleled way.
A Vision for the Future of Egyptology
Part of the ambitious “Giza 2030” master plan, GEM is expected to attract over 5 million visitors each year. Initially budgeted at $550 million, the project has surpassed $1 billion due to delays, making it one of the most significant investments in cultural heritage globally. Construction is currently 98.7% complete, with the museum set to be fully operational by the first quarter of 2025.
The museum is envisioned as a space that not only preserves and displays Egypt’s ancient artifacts but also connects visitors to the stories, beliefs, and traditions of one of the world’s most remarkable civilizations. Its design, facilities, and exhibitions aim to foster a sense of pride in Egyptian culture and inspire future generations to explore their heritage.
Key Features of the Grand Egyptian Museum
- The Multi-Functional Plaza
Upon arrival, visitors are greeted by a vast open space designed to host cultural events and gatherings, setting the stage for an unforgettable experience. - The Atrium
Standing 38 meters tall and spanning nearly 800 square meters, the Atrium houses the colossal statue of Ramesses II, which was relocated from Ramses Square in Cairo in 2006. This grand space serves as the museum’s centerpiece and a gateway to its many exhibits. - The Grand Staircase
One of the museum’s most iconic features, the Grand Staircase, measures 64 meters in length and 85 meters wide at its base. Lined with over 60 artifacts, the staircase is divided into four thematic sections:- Royal Image: How pharaohs depicted themselves.
- Divine Houses: The significance of temples in ancient Egypt.
- Gods & Kings: The relationship between deities and rulers.
- Journey to Eternity: Themes of death and the afterlife, culminating in a breathtaking view of the pyramids through a glass wall.
This staircase symbolizes a journey from the Nile Valley to the desert plateau, echoing the spiritual ascent toward immortality.
- Main Galleries
To the left of the Grand Staircase are 12 expansive galleries spanning 24,000 square meters (equivalent to four football fields). These galleries house over 14,000 artifacts from the museum’s total collection of 50,000 items, divided into four chronological eras:- Pre-Dynastic and Old Kingdom
- Middle Kingdom
- New Kingdom (featuring treasures from Tutankhamun and Ramses II)
- Greco-Roman Era
The galleries are further organized into three thematic areas:
- Beliefs and Eternity: Religion and the afterlife.
- Kingship and Power: The role of rulers in shaping history.
- Society: Insights into the daily lives of ancient Egyptians.
- The King Tutankhamun Gallery
For the first time, over 5,000 objects from King Tutankhamun’s tomb will be displayed together in a 7,200-square-meter gallery. The items are arranged in the exact order they were discovered by Howard Carter in 1922, offering visitors a glimpse into the young pharaoh’s life, including his clothing, meals, and possessions. - The Solar Boat Museum
This museum houses the reconstructed Khufu ship, which was relocated from the Giza Solar Boat Museum in 2021. - The Children’s Museum
Equipped with cutting-edge visual technology, this space introduces young visitors to ancient Egyptian history in an engaging and interactive way. - Additional Facilities
- Conference and Education Centers for lectures, workshops, and events.
- 3D Cinema with virtual reality experiences.
- Special Exhibitions and Art Galleries showcasing temporary collections.
- Conservation Center with 17 state-of-the-art labs for artifact restoration.
- Restaurants and Shops: Visitors can dine at one of eight restaurants or browse 28 gift shops featuring Egyptian designs.
Historical Milestones
1858: Opening of the first Egyptian Museum of Antiquities in Boulaq.
1889: Giza Palace (now Orman Gardens) becomes the second Egyptian antiquities museum.
1902: The Egyptian Museum in Tahrir opens its doors.
1992: The idea of GEM is first announced to address the need for a comprehensive institution showcasing Egypt’s heritage. The location, 2 kilometers northwest of the Giza Pyramids complex, was chosen to avoid Cairo’s traffic and be part of the development plan for Giza 2030 with the nearby Sphinx airport.2002: On January 5, President Hosni Mubarak lays the foundation stone of the Grand Egyptian Museum. On January 7, the architectural competition for the design was announced, attracting 1,557 submissions from 82 countries (it remained the largest architectural competition in history until 2014 when the Controversial Helsinki Guggenheim competition attracted 1700) in the second stage of the competition, 20 entries submitted additional information on their designs.
2003: Judging was complete by 2 June, the competition was won by architects Róisín Heneghan and Shi-Fu Peng, and their company Heneghan Peng Architects of Ireland. Winning design awarded prize: US$250,000 Design and construction Architect(s) Heneghan Peng (the design included a team of 300 people from 13 companies in 6 different countries as well) Structural engineer Arup (Uk). Structural engineer ACE Consulting Engineers (Moharram and Bakhoum) (Egypt). Services engineer Buro Happold (UK). The landscape and site masterplan West 8 (Holland). Exhibition design and Museology design for the Tutankhamun galleries, Grand Stairs, Piazza Atrium, and the Children’s Museum. Atelier Brückner (Germany) .
Main contractor Orascom Construction/BESIX Egypt/Belgium.
2005: Site leveling began, marking the start of construction, which was divided into three phases:
Phase I: Clearing and securing the site.
Phase II: Constructing a fire station, energy supply center, and conservation center.
Phase III: Excavation, outlining, and constructing the main museum building and landscaping.
2006: The 3,200-year-old statue of Ramesses II was relocated from Ramses Square in Cairo to the GEM site. In January 2018, it was installed inside the atrium as the first artifact in the museum. construction of the conservation center of the GEM started
2007: GEM secured a $300 million loan from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation. The Egyptian Government was to fund $147 million, with the remaining $150 million from donations and international organizations.
2008: In late August, the design team submitted over 5,000 drawings to the Egyptian Ministry of Culture. The construction tender was announced in October, and earthmoving began.
2009: Tendering was due in September, with an estimated completion date of 2013.
2010: On February 2, project management services for design and construction began through a joint venture between Hill and EHAF Consulting Engineers. USA/Egypt the conservation center’s construction was completed.
2011: Egyptian civil uprising.
2012: On January 11, a joint venture between Egypt’s Orascom Construction and Belgium’s BESIX was awarded the contract for phase three of GEM, valued at $810 million. Construction started on March 12, with an estimated completion date of December 2016.
2016: The Prime Minister’s Decree No. 2795 established and organized the Grand Egyptian Museum Authority.
2018: On June 10, the museum’s logo, designed by Tariq Atrissi (Lebanese – Dutch), was revealed. The design cost 800,000 Egyptian pounds. The Merenptah pillar and with the limestone statues of Senusret I from his pyramid complex at Lisht were moved to the museum grounds. In November, the full opening estimate was pushed to the last quarter of 2020.
2020: The planned opening was delayed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic (Various subsequent estimates ranged from 2020 to 2023). In August, two colossal statues from the sunken city of Thonis-Heraklion discovered by the IEASM were set up in the Atrium. Law No. 9 reorganized the Museum Authority as an economic public authority affiliated with the Minister of Antiquities, with a Council responsible for approving the general policy and plans necessary for the museum authority and supporting and following up on its activities. The museum is managed by a board of directors chaired by the minister, and the membership of: the CEO of the Grand Egyptian Museum Authority, the Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, the CEO of the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, the CEO of the Egyptian General Authority for Tourism Promotion, the CEO of the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Egyptian Federation of Tourism Chambers, and the Minister’s legal advisor, in addition to a number of experts specialized in the fields of Archaeology, Economics, Law, Administration, International Cooperation and Marketing For conferences, as well as many commercial areas which include shops, cafeterias, restaurants and parks. To achieve its objectives, the Museum shall be responsible for the following: Displaying archaeological collections and using the latest museum display methods and techniques. Digital documentation and registration of artifacts, as well as their preservation, security, study, maintenance, and restoration. Organizing temporary and permanent antiquities exhibitions inside Egypt. Holding seminars, conferences, cultural, scientific and other activities. Educating young people and Egyptian society about Egyptian civilization. Reviving Egyptian traditional crafts and arts through the manufacture, marketing and sale of archaeological reproductions.
2021: In April, Hassan Allam consortium won the bid to run the commercial aspect of GEM. A contract was signed with them to provide and operate visitor services. In August, the reconstructed Khufu ship was relocated to GEM from the Giza Solar Boat Museum.
2023: in February Construction was completed, and the museum opened partially on February 6.
2024: In February, GEM was awarded the EDGE Advanced Green Building Certification by IFC, becoming the first Advanced Green Museum in Africa and the Middle East and one of a handful worldwide, to receive the certification In October, 12 halls opened for a trial run to map visitor movement and better understand any improvements to be made the total cost so far is $1 billion. The museum’s director is Dr. Gihan Zaki.
The Grand Egyptian Museum is poised to be a monumental tribute to Egypt’s rich history and a beacon for future generations to explore and appreciate their heritage.
Website: visit-gem.com
