Tutankhamun’s new billion dollar home is now open in Cairo
It’s been a long time coming, but the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) in Cairo is now open… sort of.
Image courtesy of Grand Egyptian Museum
Located just outside Cairo, roughly two kilometres north of the Great Pyramids of Giza, it’s the ultimate destination for anyone fascinated by the wonders of ancient Egypt.
The GEM spans a 50-hectare site, with 90,000 square metres dedicated to exhibitions and visitor facilities, making it one of the largest museum complexes in the world – and a fitting tribute to the grandeur of ancient Egypt.
Construction of this astonishing museum started in 2005, and it finally – partially – opened to the public in October 2024.
However key exhibits remain closed until the official opening, which still hasn’t been formally announced, but is anticipated to occur in early 2025.
Everyone’s particularly excited about the Tutankhamun galleries, which will showcase the complete Tutankhamun collection for the first time ever. All 5,000 objects from the boy king’s tomb are going to be displayed, including the iconic golden funerary mask, exquisite jewellery, and chariots actually used during Tutankhamun’s lifetime. Yep, vehicles that are approximately 3,300 years old. They make my 2005 Honda CRV sound positively brand new.
Beyond Tutankhamun, the museum will also showcase intricately painted sarcophagi, ancient papyri, and other items spanning more than 3,000 years of Egyptian history – in total, a staggering 100,000 artefacts.
A colossal, 12-metre-high statue of Pharaoh Rameses II greets visitors to the Grand Hall. The Grand Staircase leads from here. It’s six storeys high and offers panoramic views of Egypt’s famous pyramids, beautifully connecting the ancient world with the present. The billion dollar museum is also a masterpiece of modern architecture, and its striking triangular façade echoes the geometry of these ancient monuments.
The Great Pyramid of Giza may be the only surviving wonder of the ancient world, but it looks like the Grand Egyptian Museum is set to be a true modern wonder.
It’s simply unmissable.
For the most current information on opening dates and available exhibits, consult the GEM’s official website.
