Cairo Destinations
As the Arab world's largest metropolis, Cairo attracts an abundance of tourists, students and expats each year. Those interested in learning about Egypt's history and experiencing its culture firsthand should put Cairo on their bucket list.
Egyptian Museum
Proudly hosting the largest collection of Egyptian antiquities in the world, the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, also known as the Egyptian Museum, is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Cairo, Egypt. More than 120,000 artifacts of great value are kept there, with a variety of them on exhibit. The Egyptian Museum is the largest in Africa and is situated in a 1901 structure in Tahrir Square. Most of the museum’s ancient artifacts date back over 3,500 years. Pharaoh Tutankhamun's treasure, which includes his famous gold burial mask, is regarded as the most famous piece of art in the world, and a reflection of ancient Egypt is one of its well-kept masterpieces. Those who visit the Egyptian Museum go back with a piece of ancient times in their hearts.
Facts About the Egyptian Museum
- The Egyptian Museum was established in the 19th century.
- It is the Middle East's oldest archaeological museum.
- The museum was vandalized during the Egyptian Revolution.
- The museum’s large complex also includes the August Memorial Garden.
- The two ancient statues located at the museum's main entrance reflect upper and lower Egypt.
A Place of Historical Beginnings
The history of the museum itself is as rich as its precious artifacts. The museum was first constructed in the 1800s; however, due to later circumstances, it was relocated to Tahrir Square in the 1900s. It was constructed in 1901 by the French architect Marcel Dourgnon. The building's construction was overseen by the Italian construction company Garozzo-Zaffarani until it was finished. Later, Abbas Helmy I inaugurated it in 1902.
The building of the museum itself is quite spacious and rustic, yet it perfectly caters to the advanced accommodation requirements of the artifacts within. The first two floors house both large and small pieces from the Pre-Dynastic Period, Old and New Kingdom, Intermediate, and Greco-Roman Eras.
The Museum’s Prized Artifacts
The glitz of the museum can be best felt on the first floor. As soon as you enter through the main entrance and make your way through the exhibition hall on the first floor, a huge collection of monumental stone sculptures, architectural parts, and relics greet the eye. o These are listed from the pre-dynastic to the Greco-Roman eras, chronologically and in clockwise order. Smaller pieces like textiles, coins, papyri, and a massive collection of wooden sarcophagi also occupy the first level.
The papyrus fragments are small remains of stone since they have been decomposing for the last two millennia. These compositions are written in a number of languages, including Greek, Latin, Arabic, and Egyptian. There are several coin collections on this level, such as bronze, silver, and gold.
There are also relics from the New Kingdom, which spans the years 1550–1069 BC, on the bottom floor. Among them are sarcophagi (coffins), tables, and sculptures. It has 42 rooms and displays a wide range of objects, including massive sculptures, boats, and sarcophagi.
Artifacts from the last two Egyptian dynasties are also displayed on the first floor. These include numerous artifacts from the Valley of the Kings, particularly the materials from Tutankhamun and Psusennes I's intact tombs, as well as artifacts from the tombs of the Pharaohs Thutmosis III, Thutmosis IV, Amenophis II, Hatshepsut, and the courtier Maiherpri.
Egyptian Museum’s Location
Address: El-Tahrir Square, Ismailia, Qasr El Nil, Cairo Governorate, 4272083, Egypt
Hours: 5 p.m. to 9 a.m.
Book Guided Tours to the Egyptian Museum
If you're visiting Cairo on your own, you can hardly get the full experience of the Egyptian Museum without a proper guide. The best way to visit the Egyptian Museum? Booking guided tours.
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El Khalili Bazaar
Get a taste of the local Cairo culture with bargaining and bickering over prices here in El Khalili Bazaar. Built in 970 A.D., the Fatimid dynasty constructed it beside the metropolis of Cairo.
Salah El-din Citadel
Salah El-Din Citadel dates back to 1176, when it served as the capital until 1860. In the citadel, you can also visit the stunning Mohamed Ali Mosque or Alabaster Mosque.
