The Grand Egyptian Museum: A partial but spectacular opening

After more than 20 years of anticipation, the highly anticipated Grand Egyptian Museum has partially opened its doors to the public near the legendary Pyramids of Giza. Designed to house the world’s largest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts, the museum marks a new era in the preservation of Egypt’s historical heritage. Spanning 120 acres, it is set to become one of the largest museum institutions ever built, with over 100,000 objects on display once the project is fully completed.

Although the full official opening has not yet been announced, this partial opening already allows visitors to explore some of the museum's galleries, where ancient history blends with modern architecture, creating an exceptional visual and immersive experience.

A titanic project lasting more than 20 years

The idea for the museum dates back more than two decades, but its construction has been plagued by a series of delays and challenges. Originally scheduled to open in 2012 , the project has suffered various interruptions due to economic factors, political instability in Egypt following the Arab Spring, and the Covid-19 pandemic. The total cost now exceeds $1 billion (around £768 million), a testament to the scale of this mammoth undertaking.

Despite these obstacles, Egypt has persisted in realizing this monumental dream, hoping that this museum will strengthen tourism, a crucial industry for the country, while reaffirming its role as a world leader in the preservation of cultural heritage.

The first exhibitions

At the moment, the most anticipated exhibition – the treasures from the tomb of Tutankhamun , the famous pharaoh – is not yet visible in the galleries open to the public. However, those who are lucky enough to visit the museum can already admire a range of Egyptian artifacts of exceptional richness. Among them, pharaonic statues , magnificently decorated sarcophagi , and mummified bodies testify to the greatness of Egyptian civilization.

The hieroglyphic-decorated walls and murals preserved in the galleries are a reminder of the importance of visual art in ancient Egyptian culture, where every element carried spiritual and cultural meaning. These objects offer visitors an intimate glimpse into the life, death and beliefs of the ancient Egyptians.

The statuettes and other funerary artifacts shed light on the religious practices of the time, illustrating how ancient Egyptians prepared for the afterlife. Also on display are stone sarcophagi that were often used for royal burials and those of the wealthiest members of Egyptian society.

A place full of history, a project looking to the future

The architecture of the museum itself is a work of art. With its grand staircases lined with pharaonic statues, its spacious galleries , and its large windows offering breathtaking views of the Pyramids of Giza, the Grand Egyptian Museum is designed to combine ancient history with modern design. The contrast between the archaeological treasures and the clean lines of the museum structure embodies Egypt's respect for its past while looking to the future.

Although the museum is only partially open, this phase is considered a full-scale trial , allowing the infrastructure, visitor flow and exhibition organisation to be tested before the full opening. Last year, the main hall and the central staircase were already opened, allowing the public to discover the first exhibitions and admire the monumental statues that adorn these spaces.

Cultural and economic impact

The Grand Egyptian Museum, when fully operational, is set to become a hub for the study and preservation of Egyptian history. It will attract not only culture lovers, but also researchers from around the world who will come to study the vast collection of artifacts. Egypt also hopes that the museum will become a new flagship attraction, revitalizing its tourism sector, which has been badly hit by political upheaval and the pandemic.

The Egyptian government, aware of the cultural and economic importance of the project, sees this museum as a tool to strengthen national identity while reaffirming Egypt's position as guardian of a world-renowned historical heritage.

An eagerly awaited official opening

While the full opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum is still awaited, there is great excitement surrounding this first phase of public access. Visitors from around the world are already flocking to admire the first galleries, and the announcement of the full opening is expected to further amplify this excitement. For now, Egypt is celebrating this milestone in the completion of a project that has not only been a national dream, but also promises to be one of the most important museums in the world.