Cairo’s long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum, or GEM, is likely to begin welcoming visitors before the end of October 2024 in a phased reveal that will continue until the official opening early in 2025, commentators say.
The GEM has been over 20 years in the making since one of the largest architectural competitions the world has ever witnessed took place in 2002. The winning design, a chamfered triangle in plan, sitting two kilometres northwest of the Pyramids, was originally due for completion in 2013, but the venture has suffered various setbacks, from political uprisings to fires.
Largest archaeological museum in the world
The Egyptian Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouly, is reported to have approved a partial opening that could see sections of the GEM open by mid-month. Set to be the largest archaeological museum in the world, boasting over 81,000 square metres of floorspace, it will eventually unite 100,000 artefacts in 12 main halls classified by dynasty. The Tutankhamun collection, including the mummified king’s world-famous gold and blue death mask, will eventually be moved there too, from its current home in the existing Egyptian Museum on Tahrir Square in central Cairo.
Playing a part in Egypt’s so-called “Giza 2030” master plan, the new museum is intended to be an international showcase for Egypt’s archaeological treasures on a scale worthy of their significance. A large date-palm-filled plaza will lead visitors to a translucent alabaster facade and, inside, they will be greeted by a 3,200-year-old, 11-metre statue of Ramesses II, so gigantic that the museum’s atrium had to be built around it.
New museum, new airport, new wave of Egypt-mania
Despite Foreign Office travel advice that notes the risk of terrorism in Egypt, the launch of the GEM is likely to engender a new wave of enthusiasm for ancient Egypt, a century after the discovery of King Tut’s tomb first caused a stir. Moreover, solar eclipse chasers will be well aware by now that the Valley of the Kings is set to be one of the world’s most extraordinary backdrops to 2027’s celestial event.
In anticipation of a hoped-for explosion in visitor numbers, Cairo’s brand new Sphinx International Airport has been constructed to bring people to Giza, the Pyramids and GEM itself while avoiding transit through Cairo’s busy streets. And also ready to cash in, near Luxor, a flurry of new tombs and attractions have opened on the Nile’s west bank, giving access to parts of the Valley of the Nobles and the Valley of the Workers that have been closed until now.
A year ago a new airport – Sphinx International – opened east of Cairo. It allows easy access to Giza, the Pyramids and GEM without travelling through the Egyptian capital.
