Egypt Opens World’s Largest Museum of Ancient Heritage

Egypt Opens World’s Largest Museum of Ancient Heritage

Egypt has inaugurated the long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) — the world’s largest museum dedicated to ancient Egyptian civilization — marking a major milestone in cultural preservation and a new chapter for the nation’s tourism-driven economy.

Located near the Giza Pyramids on the outskirts of Cairo, the $1 billion museum has been two decades in the making. It houses more than 50,000 artifacts, tracing Egypt’s history from prehistoric times to the Roman era.

World leaders, monarchs, and heads of state attended the inauguration, described by the Egyptian presidency as “an exceptional event in the history of human culture and civilization.” President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi said the museum showcases both the “genius of ancient Egyptians” and the “creativity of modern Egyptians,” positioning it as a new global cultural landmark.

The GEM features a striking triangular glass façade inspired by the nearby pyramids and includes 24,000 square metres of permanent exhibition space. A grand staircase lined with colossal statues leads visitors toward galleries offering panoramic views of the Giza Plateau. A pedestrian bridge and electric vehicles will link the museum directly to the pyramids.

Among the museum’s 12 main galleries, two are dedicated to King Tutankhamun’s treasures — over 5,000 artifacts displayed together for the first time since the tomb’s discovery by Howard Carter in 1922. Highlights include the boy pharaoh’s golden throne, funerary beds, chariots, and his iconic gold burial mask. Renowned archaeologist Zahi Hawass called the Tutankhamun collection “the heart of the museum,” adding, “Everyone has been waiting for this opening because of Tutankhamun.”

The project’s completion follows years of political upheaval and construction delays since work began in 2005. To improve visitor access, the government upgraded surrounding infrastructure, including new roads, a metro station, and the Sphinx International Airport nearby.

Authorities hope the museum will significantly boost Egypt’s tourism sector, which has been rebounding after years of decline. The country welcomed a record 15.7 million visitors in 2024, contributing about 8 per cent of GDP, and aims to double that figure by 2032.

The Grand Egyptian Museum will officially open its doors to the public on Tuesday.