The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), set to formally open on July 3, 2025, marks a defining chapter in Egypt’s cultural journey. Housing over 100,000 artefacts, this colossal institution will be the most comprehensive showcase of ancient Egyptian heritage ever assembled, placing the nation firmly in charge of its own narrative.
For the first time in history, the entire treasure collection of Pharaoh Tutankhamen will be revealed to the public. This includes the legendary boy king’s golden sarcophagus and gilded death mask, along with 5,000 artefacts that accompanied him in life and in death, jewellery, chariots, garments, and sacred objects believed to guide him into the afterlife. Discovered in 1922 in a remarkably preserved tomb, these items have captivated global imagination for over a century.
A 21-Year Journey to Completion
The scale and ambition of GEM are staggering. Nearly 21 years in the making, the museum rivals the magnitude of the Great Pyramid of Giza, which itself took an estimated 25 years to build. Spanning 90,000 square metres across a 50-hectare site at the edge of the Giza Plateau, GEM bridges the timeless grandeur of the pyramids with the pulse of modern Cairo.
Its 12 vast exhibition halls will feature not only Tutankhamen’s treasures but also monumental finds such as the reconstructed Khufu solar barque, a ceremonial vessel linked to the sun god Ra. The museum’s design incorporates sweeping views of the pyramids, an immense stone façade, and an atrium dominated by a 36-foot-tall, 3,200-year-old statue of Rameses II.
More Than a Museum
Beyond being a repository of antiquities, GEM is envisioned as a cultural beacon, celebrating Egypt’s contributions to civilisation, from the invention of papyrus to the 365-day calendar. Visitors will encounter an immersive journey through Egypt’s art, architecture, science, and mythology, presented with cutting-edge museology and technology.A monumental staircase rises from the forecourt to the plateau-level galleries, guiding visitors toward the ancient wonders beyond. Surrounding gardens provide a natural micro-climate, inviting reflection amidst the echoes of history.
Already partially open, the Grand Egyptian Museum is poised to become one of the most important cultural destinations in the world. It offers not only a complete, unprecedented view of ancient Egypt’s treasures but also a bridge to the country’s aspirations for the future.
As the final reveal approaches, the GEM stands ready to welcome the world, inviting travellers, scholars, and dreamers alike to step into the heart of an ancient civilisation whose influence still shapes our present.