The Grand Egyptian Museum is the reason you should travel to Egypt in 2024

One of the most fascinating destinations on the planet, Egypt has captured the imagination of a global audience for centuries. Its heady mix of legends, myths and fabulous treasures is rivaled only by its own monumental architecture: a stunning blend of ancient ritual, art and scientific evidence that continues to fascinate even the most expert historians. And now, a modern wonder, the Grand Egyptian Museum, has come to shed light on this land of the Pharaohs. Far from being a mere repository of antiquities, it is meant to be a mirror of some of humanity’s greatest achievements – from paper to the 365-day calendar – and mysteries (cue Tutankhamun’s golden death mask) . As it prepares for its grand reveal, discover what makes this larger-than-life complex—already counted among the finest museums in the Middle East—simply unmissable.

The high facade of the museum creates a new architectural “edge”, with the pattern of the stone cladding inspired by the pyramids. Photo: Nesrine Elkhatib, courtesy of the Grand Egyptian Museum.

Twenty years in the making

Born out of a 2003 competition that saw some of the biggest design firms in the running, the complex was envisioned by Irish firm Heneghan Peng Architects. Construction began in 2005, but unprecedented setbacks – including the financial crisis of 2008, the Arab Spring in 2011 and the COVID-19 pandemic – pushed the Grand Egyptian Museum back several years. In April 2021, the Golden Parade of Pharaohs – a televised procession of 22 royal mummies – rekindled global interest in the museum and signaled an imminent opening. The Egyptian government and the museum itself have been tight-lipped about the exact opening date, but events like the Dior Men’s 2022 show have kept it on the radar. There are rumblings of a late 2023 opening.

A Great Location

Located on the edge of the desert floor between the Great Pyramid of Giza – the only surviving wonder of the ancient world – and Cairo, the Grand Egyptian Museum creates a visual connection between Egypt’s past and present . The 120-hectare site is defined by a 50-meter difference in level created by the Nile as it meanders through the desert, forming a new “edge,” which is celebrated by the museum’s enormous stone facade.

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