NESTLED near the iconic Giza pyramids, the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) is preparing for a lavish opening, featuring a towering statue of Ramses II and more than 100,000 artefacts, including Tutankhamun’s golden treasures. After two decades of planning, the GEM is set to open fully on July 3, following a partial opening in October. Its long-awaited debut comes after years of delays caused by political instability, economic crises, and the global pandemic.
Ahmed Ghoneim, the museum’s director, emphasized that the inauguration could span several days, with celebrations extending beyond the museum and pyramids to sites across Egypt and even abroad. “It will be a spectacular showcase of Egypt’s historical and touristic potential,” Ghoneim told Egypt’s ON TV. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has invited US President Donald Trump and Spain’s King Felipe VI to attend the ceremony.
“This museum is the (world’s) largest museum for a single civilisation, which is the Pharaonic civilisation,” Sisi said in December. Spanning 50ha, the GEM is twice the size of both Paris’s Louvre and New York’s Metropolitan, and 2.5 times the British Museum, according to its director.
Stepping into history, visitors will be greeted by a massive 11m statue of Ramses II, leading to a grand staircase lined with statues of pharaohs, gods, and sarcophagi, culminating at a stunning window framing the pyramids. The museum currently boasts 12 galleries displaying around 15,000 artefacts arranged chronologically from prehistory to the Greco-Roman period. Notable exhibits include the treasures of Queen Hetepheres, her intricately carved armchair, beautifully illuminated after years of being tucked away in the old Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square.
Even ahead of its official opening, the GEM has begun to awe visitors. “I cannot get over how the lighting is. It is just atmospheric and helpful, and you end up just drawn to everything that is around,” remarked Philippa Hunt, a tourist from the UK. Another visitor, South African Leon Wolmarans, expressed his admiration for the museum's setup, noting, “This is much better organized, much better lit. The architecture is impressive.”
Among the highlights of the grand opening will be the treasures of Tutankhamun, including his iconic gold mask, which will be featured in a dedicated gallery. More than 5,000 Tutankhamun artefacts have been transferred to the GEM so far, although the full collection, including his sarcophagus and the embalmed remains of his daughters, will be unveiled at the official opening.
The GEM will also proudly exhibit the 44m-long cedarwood solar barque, unearthed near the Great Pyramid around 2,500 BC. Additionally, another boat is being restored, offering an immersive experience where visitors can observe conservators at work over the next three years.
Incorporating cutting-edge technology, such as virtual reality and interactive exhibits, the GEM aims to create a fresh approach to storytelling, making history come alive for younger generations. The museum's website lists entry prices starting at 200 Egyptian pounds (approximately RM18) for adult nationals and 1,200 pounds for foreign visitors.
Beyond archaeology, the GEM holds the potential to significantly boost Egypt’s economy, which has been battered by inflation and debt. With tourism gradually recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic, the GEM is projected to attract five million visitors annually, adding to a record 15.7 million tourists recorded in 2024.
Elhamy al-Zayat, former chairman of the Egyptian Tourism Federation, highlighted the strategic advantages of the museum’s location near the newly opened Sphinx International Airport, the pyramids, and a growing number of hotels. “There will be easy transportation options to and from the museum, making it accessible from anywhere,” he said. “This will definitely transform Egypt’s tourism industry.”