The Story of Inception and Foundation

The Grand Egyptian Museum

The idea of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) was born from a sense of dissatisfaction with the state of the old Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square. In the 1990s, Farouk Hosny, then Minister of Culture, expressed his frustration with the cramped space that failed to display antiquities in a manner befitting their grandeur, stating, “Every time I enter the museum in Tahrir, I leave with a headache, feeling upset… This image is in my mind, and I didn’t know what to do.”

The spark that truly ignited the project occurred during Hosny’s visit to Paris. The renowned Italian designer, Franco Maria Ricci, unexpectedly asked him, “What are you going to do with your storage in Tahrir?” In an ambitious response, Hosny immediately declared, “Don’t you know that we are going to build the largest museum in the world?… We will build it near the Pyramids. The idea came to my mind instantly.”

From that moment, the journey to transform the dream into reality began. Ricci offered support by helping secure a loan, and Farouk Hosny recognized the crucial need for a detailed feasibility study to confirm the project’s economic and scientific viability. The study revealed “monumental” results, which subsequently attracted investors and donors.

The Journey to Execution

International Support: Japan was the first country to support the project with a major grant to fund the feasibility study.

The Winning Design: An international architecture competition was announced, with 1,557 firms participating. The design by Ireland’s “Heneghan Peng” architects won, centered on visually connecting the museum to the Pyramids. As visitors ascend the “Grand Staircase,” the Pyramids appear as a natural extension of the museum.

Laying the Foundation Stone: In 2002, the foundation stone was laid at a prime location overlooking the Giza Plateau.

Construction and Preparation: Actual construction began in May 2005, including the establishment of the largest antiquities restoration center in the Middle East in 2006 to prepare artifacts for display.

Administrative Evolution: To ensure the project’s continuity, a decision was issued in 2016 to establish the “Grand Egyptian Museum Authority,” later reorganized in 2020 as an economic entity, with a Board of Trustees chaired by the President of Egypt to oversee this national edifice.

Farouk Hosny affirmed that the project, despite challenges, became a “civilizational destiny for Egypt” that could not be neglected. Now, the dream has materialized into one of modern Egypt’s greatest achievements, making the Grand Egyptian Museum a premier new Cairo attraction and a must for Egypt travel.

Artifacts and Halls: Journey into the Heart of Egyptian Civilization

The Grand Egyptian Museum is more than just a massive building; it is a comprehensive world designed to offer an immersive experience worthy of the civilization it represents. Instead of traditional display halls, the museum is designed as a journey starting from the moment you step into the spacious main entrance, dominated by the magnificent statue of Ramses II, surrounded by five other massive artifacts, creating a majestic welcoming scene.

The Grand Staircase: 

From the entrance, visitors move to the “Grand Staircase.” This is not merely a passage between floors but a spiritual and aesthetic core of the museum. With a height equivalent to six stories, this architectural marvel is flanked by 87 monumental artifacts, lining the path like eternal guardians guiding you on an ascent through the ages. The genius of the design culminates at the top, where the timeless Pyramids of Giza appear through a vast glass facade, achieving a stunning visual integration between modern architectural achievement and ancient cultural heritage, alongside features like the suspended obelisk Giza.

Exhibition Halls:

The museum’s display is divided into several main halls, each a world of its own:

The Tutankhamun Collection Hall:

This hall, spanning 7,500 square meters, is the crown jewel of the GEM Cairo museum. For the first time in history, the complete Tutankhamun collection display – all 5,340 pieces – is assembled in one place. From the world-famous golden mask to his thrones, jewelry, and chariots, you will feel as if you are entering his tomb anew, this time to contemplate every detail in a continuous narrative.

The Permanent Exhibition Halls:

Across 18,000 square meters, the permanent halls narrate the comprehensive story of ancient Egypt civilization, from the Predynastic Period through the Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms, to the Greco-Roman era. Over 50,000 carefully selected artifacts form a historical tapestry illustrating the evolution of art, belief, and daily life over millennia. This Egyptian antiquities exhibition in Cairo is unparalleled.

The Cultural Center and Children’s Museum:

The museum transforms into a platform for learning and creativity through the interactive “Children’s Museum,” which uses multimedia and models to explain archaeology engagingly. “Arts and Crafts Workshops” allow visitors to learn about traditional handicrafts, emphasizing the living legacy of Egyptian culture. This makes the GEM an excellent destination for family travel in Cairo.

Behind the Scenes: A Living Scientific Center

The museum is not just a place to display the past; it is a living scientific hub. Through glass windows, visitors can watch scientists and restorers at work in state-of-the-art laboratories, for instance, restoring the 4,500-year-old second solar boat of King Khufu. The scientific storage facilities, equipped with the latest technology, house over 50,000 additional artifacts ready for study and research by specialists worldwide.

Virtual Reality and Temporary Exhibitions:

The museum keeps pace with the modern era by integrating technology into the visitor experience through virtual reality shows that transport you to archaeological sites in their heyday. Temporary exhibition halls, covering 5,000 square meters, host changing and renewed displays, adding dynamism and encouraging repeat visits.

Squares and Gardens: An Open-Air Museum

The journey doesn’t end within the walls. The museum is surrounded by gardens and squares that turn the visit into a full day of exploration and enjoyment, solidifying its status as a key cultural heritage site:

Display Garden: Showcasing large-scale artifacts in the open air.

The Temple Garden and The Land of Egypt Garden: Evoke the plants and agricultural environment of ancient Egypt.

The Khufu Solar Boat Museum: The dedicated building for displaying the solar boat.

The Pyramids Restaurant: With its unique design and direct view of the Pyramids, it offers an unparalleled dining experience.

Why You Must Visit the Grand Egyptian Museum?

If you are seeking a unique and unprecedented cultural experience, the Grand Egyptian Museum is not merely an option among world museums; it is a destination in itself. Here are the compelling reasons, making it a essential Egypt travel highlight:

Over 50,000 Artifacts in One Place: This is the only museum in the world dedicated to a single civilization housing over 50,000 artifacts on permanent display, covering 5,000 years of Egyptian history. You will witness the first-ever complete display of King Tutankhamun’s treasures (5,340 pieces) together.

A Unique Architectural Experience: Designed for a visual connection between the artifacts and the Pyramids, viewable directly from inside the halls. The permanent exhibition area alone is 18,000 sqm.

A Global Scientific Center: Observe restoration teams working live on the 4,500-year-old Khufu Boat. It houses the largest antiquities restoration center in the Middle East.

The Largest Cultural Project of the 21st Century: Representing an investment exceeding $1 billion, it is the largest cultural project witnessed in the modern era, featuring the latest display, preservation, and restoration systems.

A Comprehensive Experience: Includes a fully dedicated path for people with disabilities, a children’s center, conference halls, and a cultural center. The total area of the museum and its gardens exceeds 480,000 square meters.

See Artifacts Displayed for the First Time: The museum displays colossal artifacts never shown before, like the giant royal statues on the Grand Staircase, from all historical eras of Egypt.

This is not an ordinary leisure visit; it is an opportunity to stand before a human heritage gathered in one place for the first time. A single visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum is equivalent to a journey through 5,000 years of history in just a few hours. As the world’s largest civilization museum, its anticipated opening in 2025 is a landmark event, perfectly suited for Museum Egypt tours for Europeans and global travelers alike.