After two decades of anticipation and multiple delays, Egypt today opens the doors of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), a billion-dollar architectural marvel set to redefine the nation’s tourism landscape and reaffirm its place as the cradle of civilisation.
Perched on the edge of the Giza Plateau, overlooking the iconic pyramids, the sprawling 500,000-square-metre complex stands as the largest museum in the world dedicated to a single civilisation — the ancient Egyptian. The event, which begins at 7:30 pm local time, will draw dignitaries and delegations from 79 countries, including 39 heads of state and government.
Germany, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, Spain, and Denmark are among the nations represented at what Egyptian authorities describe as a “monumental occasion of global significance.” In recent nights, beams of light have illuminated the museum’s vast facade and the neighbouring pyramids, symbolically bridging Egypt’s glorious past with its modern ambitions.
Constructed with substantial technical and financial backing from Japan, the GEM has been a labour of both pride and perseverance. Inside, visitors will encounter grand, light-filled halls with towering ceilings and sand-hued stone walls — a seamless blend of contemporary design and ancient inspiration.
At its heart stands a colossal 83-tonne statue of Ramses II, Egypt’s longest-reigning pharaoh, who ruled for 66 years during what historians regard as the empire’s golden age.
Unlike the century-old Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square, the new facility is a world apart — featuring advanced climate control, immersive galleries, precision lighting, and virtual reality exhibits. It even boasts a live conservation laboratory, where visitors can observe restoration experts delicately reassembling ancient relics such as the 4,500-year-old solar boat of Pharaoh Khufu.
The undisputed centrepiece remains the legendary collection of King Tutankhamun. Over 5,000 artefacts belonging to the boy king will, for the first time, be displayed together, with the presentation of his famed golden death mask still shrouded in secrecy.
Officials say more than half of the museum’s 100,000-piece collection will be on display upon its full opening to the public on Tuesday, offering an unparalleled journey through 5,000 years of Egyptian civilisation.
For Cairo, the unveiling is more than a cultural milestone — it is a strategic bet on tourism revival. With the global spotlight now trained on Giza, Egypt hopes the GEM will not only preserve its storied heritage but also serve as a beacon of national pride and economic resurgence.
