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Giza, Egypt – After decades of anticipation and a price tag exceeding $1 billion, the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) in Giza officially opened its doors to the public on Saturday. Hailed as one of the world’s largest museums, this monumental institution is a testament to ancient Egyptian civilization and a “gift to the world,” according to Nevine El-Aref, media advisor to Egypt’s Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy.
The sprawling 5-million-square-foot facility showcases an extraordinary collection of artifacts spanning 7,000 years, from prehistoric times to approximately 400 A.D. Uniquely, the GEM stands as the only museum globally dedicated entirely to a single culture: ancient Egypt.
“It’s a great day for Egypt and for humanity,” El-Aref stated, adding, “It’s a dream come true. After all these years, the GEM is finally and officially open.”
Strategically located just a mile from the iconic Giza pyramids, the triangular-shaped museum offers visitors an unparalleled opportunity to immerse themselves in Egyptian antiquities. Its initial budget of $500 million more than doubled over three decades due to various delays and cost overruns, with funding provided by Egyptian sources and international contributions.
The path to completion was not without its challenges. Proposed in 1992, construction faced significant setbacks, including the 2011 “Arab Spring” revolution, a military coup d’etat in 2013, and the global COVID-19 pandemic of 2020.
Upon entering, visitors are greeted by a striking 53-foot-tall obelisk suspended overhead, visible through a glass floor. A grand staircase with 108 steps leads to the museum’s main galleries, allowing for comprehensive views of towering statues.
The GEM boasts 12 main exhibition halls, encompassing a combined 194,000 square feet and capable of housing up to 100,000 items. Among its highlights are two dedicated galleries featuring 5,300 pieces from the tomb of the pharaoh Tutankhamun. Many of these items have never before been publicly displayed, and this marks the first time all of King Tut’s treasures have been exhibited under one roof since British archaeologist Howard Carter’s discovery in 1922.
Designed to complement its historic surroundings, the museum’s walls and slanted ceilings echo the lines of the nearby pyramids, without exceeding them in height. The grand opening was met with national celebration, as the Egyptian government declared Saturday a national holiday.
While its full impact on the global museum landscape is yet to be determined, the Grand Egyptian Museum’s unique collection and impressive scale are poised to establish it as a premier cultural destination.