Grand Egyptian Museum Finally Opens

Egypt finally opened its doors to the world with the much anticipated opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum this week. The inauguration was a lavish event, ushering in a new beacon of Egyptian culture on the global stage. More than twenty years after work on the museum first began, viewers can now experience Egypt’s history - from ancient times to today - in one space.

Seven years ago the statue of King Ramesses II was welcomed into the museum’s Grand hall, but was never open to the public, today however, the Grand Egyptian Museum is open to everyone. Despite being partially open since last year, the grand finale is now able to be experienced by all. The grand opening was accompanied by orchestras, a light show, and many performers, inaugurated by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. The whole event was a who's who of the Egyptian celebrity scene, but what’s really remarkable is how Egyptian artefacts dating back millennia are now being exhibited together for the very first time.

The Grand Egyptian Museum’s opening is significant for many reasons, particularly because for the first time ever the complete treasure of King Tutunkhamun is reunited under one roof. A dedicated gallery now brings together over 5,000 objects, many of which are being revealed to the public for the very first time since it was first discovered in the Valley of the Kings in 1922.

The museum is located within 117 acres of land near the pyramids of Giza, and is now one of the largest museums in the world. The foundation stone was laid in 2002, and more than two decades later, the museum is finally open to the public. Construction took place between 2005 and 2008, under the leadership of Irish architectural firm Heneghan Peng, with significant work taking place since then to lead to the museum’s doors opening.

The design of the museum is to directly align with all three pyramids - Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure. It has three pyramid-shaped entrances that follow the formation of the originals. The main pyramid is framed by black hieroglyphic panels, and each pyramid is wrapped in thin sheets of amber onyx that can be backlit so that light shines through. Inside, there is a staircase that runs the entire length of the museum, filled with statues and artefacts that are arranged in chronological order. The oldest artifacts are at the bottom, and the newest are at the top. Once you reach the end of the staircase, there is a stunning view of the pyramids. The building has large skylights and windows, as many of the objects are made out of stone, which are not as sensitive to light pollution, giving the building a light and airy feel. Additionally, the museum stores are also themed. For instance the jewellery store has Nerfetti busts to display the items

In addition to presenting the splendours of Egypt’s past, the museum also has a Conservation Center, preserving and restoring archaeological treasures. And, while presenting the treasures of Egypt’s past, the museum is also a modern hub of technology and heritage.

The Grand Egyptian Museum is now a must-visit spot for tourists and culture-lovers alike. Serving as a bridge between past and present, it blends cutting-edge museum technology with the grandeur of ancient Egyptian civilisation.