History enthusiasts and ancient Egypt aficionados have something exciting to look forward to. A monumental new museum, set to surpass the current record-holder – the Louvre in Paris – as the largest museum in the world, is about to open near the famous Giza pyramids. With over 100,000 Pharaonic artifacts, this museum will offer a new world record in size.
While the Louvre boasts a space of 73,000 square meters, the new Egyptian museum will easily exceed this, claiming the title of the largest museum worldwide.
The opening of the museum is scheduled for the coming months and is expected to attract millions of visitors from across the globe. The museum will display a unique collection of Pharaonic era artifacts, including statues, sarcophagi, jewelry, and papyri, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the fascinating world of ancient Egypt and learn more about its rich heritage.
Not just a museum, but also gardens and a conference center The colossal building covers 90,000 square meters within a 50-hectare site. According to the SITA news agency, it is being constructed at the request of the Egyptian Ministry of Culture and will include thousands of Pharaonic artifacts along with a children’s museum, conference center, heritage spaces, and gardens.
The Great Egyptian Museum is a creation of the Dublin-based Heneghan Peng Architects, and its photos were shared by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) just before its opening.
The story of the Great Egyptian Museum (GEM) began in 1992 when then-president Hosni Mubarak allocated land for this ambitious project just two kilometers from the majestic pyramids of Giza. The vision was clear: to build a museum worthy of the Pharaonic treasures it would house.
A Unique Collection Upon opening, the museum will showcase an extensive collection of Pharaonic artifacts from ancient Egypt, including antiquities from King Tutankhamun’s tomb, which will be displayed in full for the first time since its discovery in 1922.
The exhibited items will also include a ritual solar boat, known as the Khufu Ship, which was buried next to the Great Pyramid around 2500 BC.
The museum complex is currently offering limited tours to test the readiness of the site and the visitor experience before its official opening. Access is currently limited to the Great Hall, Grand Staircase, commercial area, and outdoor gardens.
All other internal spaces, including access to galleries and collections, are restricted until the official opening. The official website also informs that the museum plans to officially open in mid-2024, although this is still an estimate.
Planned Opening in 2018 However, the road to realization faced many obstacles. It wasn’t until nine years later, in 2012, after winning an international design competition, that Irish architects from Heneghan Peng studio began work. The concrete shell of the museum was completed in 2015, and its opening was eagerly anticipated in 2018.
Unfortunately, various political and economic turbulences have delayed the opening, but they have not deterred it. Today, a decade later, the Great Egyptian Museum is finally ready to open its doors to the world.
Photos of the Great Egyptian Museum were published by IFC after the building received the IFC EDGE Advanced Green Building Certification, making it the first museum in Africa to receive an award for efficient resource use.
