The Grand Egyptian Museum, home to the world’s largest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts, has partially opened its doors to visitors after years of anticipation.
Located near the iconic Giza pyramids, the museum began construction over a decade ago and was initially set to open in 2012. However, its launch has faced multiple delays due to various factors, including funding issues.
The opening of these main galleries marks a trial run, following last year’s debut of the main hall and the stairway featuring Pharaonic statues.
“These main galleries encompass over 18,800 square meters divided into 12 halls that explore topics related to society, religion, and the beliefs of ancient Egyptians, along with royalism,” said Al-Tayeb Abbas, assistant to the Minister of Antiquities.
This trial period, ahead of the yet-to-be-announced grand inauguration, aims to help the museum identify potential operational challenges, such as overcrowding in certain areas. The museum is expected to showcase more than 100,000 artifacts, including treasures from the tomb of the boy king Tutankhamun, which have not yet been opened to the public.
Currently, about 4,000 visitors per day can explore the open-style halls, which are organized by dynasty and historical order.
Eissa Zidan, Director-General of Preliminary Restoration and Antiquities Transfer at the Grand Egyptian Museum, noted that it hosts “distinct and unique items” not found anywhere else.
“These include the design of the hanging obelisk, the Grand Staircase, large displays of significant heavy artifacts, the museum of Khufu boats, and the treasures of the Golden Pharaoh Tutankhamun,” he said.
The project, believed to be the world’s largest archaeological museum, has so far cost over $1 billion. Its halls are equipped with advanced technology and feature multimedia presentations that bring the lives of ancient Egyptians to life.
With stunning views of the Giza pyramids, the museum is expected to attract visitors from around the globe.
Costa Rican tourist Jorge Licano was among the first to visit the newly opened galleries, calling the experience “amazing.”
“There is a lot of history and many things we are not aware of, especially coming from the other side of the world. Seeing everything here and learning from the locals has been great,” he said.
