After decades of anticipation and a journey spanning more than a century, the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) has finally thrown open its doors to the world, marking a new era for Egypt’s cultural legacy. The official inauguration on Saturday, November 2, 2025, was nothing short of spectacular, drawing royals, presidents, prime ministers, and high-level delegations from more than 20 countries. From the UAE and Saudi Arabia to Spain, Japan, and Ghana, dignitaries gathered to witness the unveiling of what is now the world’s largest museum dedicated to a single civilization.
The $1 billion megaproject sits just two kilometers from the iconic Pyramids of Giza, its striking limestone, glass, and metal façade echoing the geometric motif of the ancient wonders nearby. Designed by Heneghan Peng Architects, who won the commission in 2003 after a global competition with over 1,500 entries, the museum’s triangular design aligns directly with the three pyramids, creating a visual harmony that’s hard to ignore. Covering 500,000 square meters, the GEM is not just a museum—it’s a sprawling cultural complex, boasting everything from a Children’s Museum and conference halls to the Middle East’s largest restoration center.
The official opening was a showstopper. The outdoor celebration unfolded beside the museum’s 110-tonne hanging obelisk, with a custom-built stage set against the desert sky. As reported by CNT ME, a dazzling laser and fireworks display lit up both the museum and the ancient monuments, symbolizing the GEM’s ambition to become a “fourth pyramid” in its own right. Above the pyramids, ultralight planes soared, unfurling banners that read, “welcome to the land of peace.”
Music and art took center stage. Two orchestras performed simultaneously—one at the museum, the other at the foot of the Great Sphinx. The highlight was an original composition, “Message for Peace,” by Moon Knight composer Hisham Nazih, performed by artists from around 80 countries under the baton of maestro Nayer Nagui. In a nod to Egypt’s global influence, dancers in Egyptian-inspired costumes appeared via projection from cities such as Tokyo, Paris, Sydney, Rio de Janeiro, and New York. Other historic landmarks throughout Egypt, from the Hatshepsut Temple to the Saladin Citadel, were bathed in celebratory lights, creating a nationwide spectacle.
President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi delivered a message that resonated far beyond the museum walls. “Peace is the only path to building civilisations, knowledge flourishes only in an atmosphere of security and stability, and culture bears fruit only when nurtured in an environment of coexistence and understanding,” he declared, according to CNT ME. The event was not only a celebration of Egypt’s past but also a statement of its aspirations for the future—a harmonious blending of heritage and hope.
The opening also showcased Egyptian talent, with performances from operatic soprano Fatma Said, violin duo Amira and Mariam Abouzahra, traditional whirling dervishes, and a Nubian singer. The storyline of a young boy wandering through the museum offered a sneak peek at the treasures inside, culminating in a preview of the Khufu solar boats and the much-anticipated Tutankhamun collection.
After the ceremony, dignitaries and VIP guests were treated to exclusive tours of the museum’s expansive galleries. The GEM houses over 100,000 artifacts, making it the world’s largest repository of objects from a single civilization. Among its most impressive features are the main atrium, dominated by an 11-meter-high, 83-tonne statue of Ramses II, and the grand staircase lined with colossal statues that span Egypt’s history from prehistoric times to the Graeco-Roman period.
But the real jewel in the crown is the Tutankhamun Gallery. For the first time since British archaeologist Howard Carter’s legendary 1922 discovery in Luxor, more than 5,900 artifacts from the boy king’s tomb are displayed together. Many of these treasures—including the iconic golden mask, chariots, and throne—were previously scattered across Cairo’s century-old Egyptian Museum or kept in storage. As Ahmed Ghoneim, the museum’s CEO, told AP, “Most Tutankhamun treasures were in the old Egyptian museum. However, some were scattered in other museums and others were kept in storage. Bringing all those treasures in one place enriches the museum display experience.”
Visitors on opening day flocked to the Tutankhamun Gallery, eager to see the legendary artifacts up close. “It was amazing, especially the mask,” said Nikolas Voulgarakis, a tourist from Greece, to AP. The sense of awe was palpable as guests moved through galleries filled with jewelry, gilded chariots, and the golden burial mask that has become synonymous with ancient Egypt.
The museum also features the Solar Boats Museum, now home to the two Khufu solar boats—4,600-year-old vessels discovered in burial pits near the Great Pyramid. The first boat was transported to the GEM in 2021, and the second, moved in pieces over several years, was painstakingly reassembled and restored for display. These boats, believed to have carried the pharaoh’s soul to the afterlife, are now showcased in all their glory.
The journey to this moment has not been easy. Plans for the museum were first announced in 1992 under President Hosni Mubarak, with the foundation stone laid in 2002 and construction beginning in 2005. Political upheaval, economic challenges, the 2011 revolution, the Covid-19 pandemic, and regional conflicts all contributed to delays. The Japan International Cooperation Agency stepped in to provide the largest share of funding, offering two loans totaling $800 million. Despite these challenges, the museum gradually opened in phases: the main atrium and retail area in November 2022, main galleries in October 2024, and finally, the full Tutankhamun collection and Khufu solar boats in November 2025.
Already, more than two million visitors have walked through the museum’s doors, and according to Ghoneim, the GEM expects to welcome up to seven million annually, with a daily cap of 20,000 visitors to ensure a smooth experience. Egypt’s tourism industry, which saw a record 15.7 million visitors in 2024, is banking on the GEM to anchor its goal of attracting 30 million tourists by 2030. Tickets for the museum, which opened to the public on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, can be booked online in advance.
Salima Ikram, professor of Egyptology at the American University in Cairo, summed up the sentiment shared by many in the field: “Certainly this museum has been a long time in the making. In fact, almost my entire professional career, it’s been happening. So it’s an extraordinary moment in history.”
With its grand vision, architectural splendor, and unmatched collection, the Grand Egyptian Museum stands as a testament to both Egypt’s ancient achievements and its modern ambitions—offering the world a new window into the wonders of the Nile.