The Imhotep Museum of Egypt is perhaps not as well-known as others we have discussed in this blog (Grand Egyptian Museum of Giza, Egyptian Museum of Cairo, Museum of Civilizations, Luxor Museum), but it is a good complement for travelers interested in Ancient Egypt who plan to visit the Saqqara necropolis. In the following lines, we will tell you everything you need to know about it: what is inside, where it is located exactly, etc.
Imhotep Museum: Concept and Location
The Imhotep Museum is named in honor of the architect Imhotep: he was a wise and learned man in different fields (mathematics, astronomy, medicine…), who has the honor of being the first known architect in history. And not just any architect, as he is responsible for a milestone in the architecture of Ancient Egypt: the Step Pyramid of Saqqara, to house the tomb of Pharaoh Djoser (Dynasty III). For this reason, and for having also been a high priest, this civilization ended up considering him the patron of many of these disciplines that he cultivated, and in recent times he was even elevated to the rank of god.
The museum is located in the heart of the Saqqara necropolis, just 700 meters in a straight line from the famous pyramid. It is a sober structure on the outside, with straight lines that do not attempt to compete with the architectural remains preserved in the necropolis. And inside, although its collection of pieces is not comparable to the other great archaeological museums in the country, it does have great value for contextualizing and delving into this necropolis of Saqqara, one of the most important for its antiquity and for the works that were erected here.
Its Content: the Rooms
Upon entering, visitors have the option of heading to five large rooms or areas:
- Room on the architecture of Imhotep: with pieces from the Step Pyramid of Djoser, considered the first in history. In fact, although it is not the only great construction in the complex (Pyramid of Unas, Temple of Horemheb, etc.), this museum serves to highlight the figures of said pharaoh and his architect.
- Room with the tombs of Saqqara: with pieces from all over the necropolis, such as canopic jars, statuettes, and reliefs that aimed to create the ideal environment for the different parts of the deceased to maintain their unity and be able to live in the Afterlife.
- Saqqara Styles Room: here, the pieces with the greatest artistic interest are exhibited, emphasizing the quality of the artisans who worked here, with statues of scribes, busts of officials, etc.
- Excavations Room: where recently recovered pieces from the excavations are displayed, giving an account of the constant work that is carried out here today. Sarcophagi in an extraordinary state of conservation are some of the most outstanding works.
- Jean-Philippe Lauer Library, which shows what the working environment of this Egyptologist, a great promoter of this museum, was like.
Practical Information about the Imhotep Museum
If you intend to visit the Imhotep Museum of Egypt, you can take note of this practical information that will be useful to know:
- Opening hours: open every day, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Entrance fee: it is included with the entrance to the Saqqara necropolis, so it is not necessary to get a separate ticket. The price to enter the necropolis depends on the spaces to visit, being 1000 EGP for the most complete, that is, for adults who want to enter all spaces (500 EGP for students)
- Other details of interest: there are special prices for Egyptian citizens
