Africa. The 46th Cairo International Film Festival offered us an unforgettable opportunity that many had dreamed of since the magnificent opening ceremony of the Grand Egyptian Museum earlier this November—an event broadcast worldwide, celebrating what is now the largest museum on the planet.
The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) houses more than 100,000 artifacts representing every era of ancient Egyptian civilization, from the pre-dynastic period to the Greek and Roman eras, all meticulously organized and cataloged in Arabic, English, and hieroglyphics.
A Monumental Welcome
Visitors arriving at the site are greeted by impeccably organized traffic arrangements, with spacious parking for tour buses and private vehicles, supervised by uniformed staff ensuring smooth flow and access through the main gate—a structure that reflects both the vastness and grandeur of the complex. Admission costs 200 Egyptian pounds for locals and 30 USD for foreigners. The interior buzzes with thousands of visitors, prompting one Egyptian to remark humorously, “We’ll earn back what we spent building it in just one month.”
Architectural Majesty
The museum’s architectural splendor becomes immediately apparent: elegant corridors lined with restaurants and luxury shops, all leading to the main atrium, where the colossal statue of Ramses II commands attention. Visitors crowd around to capture photos at his feet, dwarfed by his monumental presence.
Ascending via a long escalator to the fourth level, one encounters an array of pharaonic sculptures, artifacts, and geometric designs displayed with deliberate pacing, allowing for deep appreciation. The vast exhibition halls feature glass cases labeled in three languages, offering a balanced mix of statues, jewelry, coins, and tools unearthed from ancient tombs.
Engineering Excellence Below Ground
Beneath the museum lies a 32,000-square-meter restoration and logistics complex, located 10 meters underground and connected by a 300-meter secure tunnel. This includes 19 specialized laboratories for the conservation of stone, wood, glass, metal, and mummies, equipped with advanced microscopy facilities.
The Legacy of Tutankhamun
Among the museum’s many sections, the Golden Pharaoh’s Chamber dedicated to King Tutankhamun stands as its centerpiece — the largest gallery in the complex.
The Grand Egyptian Museum project received the Global Project of the Year Award last year from the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) in recognition of its architectural innovation, technical excellence, and groundbreaking design.
