The inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum of Giza has finally arrived. The day all of Egypt was waiting for. And also millions of tourists around the world, as the country’s authorities expect that the opening of this new museum (the largest in the world in terms of archeology) will double the number of tourists arriving in the coming years, from 15 million to 30 million. An event that did not disappoint anyone, with pomp and attendance of great dignitaries, to convince the world that it is worth visiting. Something that, by the way, you can do with our agency.
An Inauguration in Phases
If you have been eagerly following the inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum of Giza, you will know that it has actually been a phased premiere and that what took place on November 1 (4 for the general public) was the total opening of the site. In other words, the museum had already been open for some years, but only some areas, as we told you here, as a test and to get acquainted.
Once this transitional opening phase was over, the Egyptian government organized a grand inauguration, with the presence of heads of state such as the Spanish King Felipe VI or important dignitaries from the Arab world, such as Queen Rania of Jordan. No one wanted to miss this desired moment, and they were ‘presented’ with a guided tour of the museum’s most iconic spaces. In addition, there were light and sound shows, such as the drone show that drew pharaohs and sarcophagi in the sky of Giza.
The Great Attractions
Now that the entire museum is open, what are its main attractions? Let us remember that in the aforementioned transitional phase, it was already possible to contemplate some of its most representative icons, such as the
However, now you can see the most anticipated pieces of the entire collection. In particular, the
Much expectation has also been generated by the pavilion with the solar boat of Cheops, one of the great pharaohs of the IV dynasty and architect of one of the nearby pyramids. In this case, what is impressive is not only its dimensions and its antiquity, but also the fact that it is entirely made of wood, with the conservation challenges that this organic material implies. Therefore, being able to contemplate it here from above and from all its angles is a privilege made reality after many years of careful research and restoration.
And of course, the novelties of the museum do not end there, but include many other attractions both outside and inside, such as the suspended obelisk at the entrance, refined statues of pharaohs and scribes or pieces of enormous symbolic value, such as the Stele of Restoration.
In addition, the Grand Egyptian Museum of Giza will host temporary exhibitions (yet to be confirmed) and many other events related to Egyptology, with spaces and services already operating at full capacity, such as its restaurants with views of the famous pyramids, or its specialized stores, which go far beyond the mere souvenir.
