The Grand Egyptian Museum, located on the outskirts of Cairo, has been a highly anticipated cultural institution, marked by extensive delays and challenges since its inception. The construction of the museum has faced numerous obstacles, including funding issues, logistical difficulties, and global events such as the pandemic and regional conflicts. This has led to comparisons with the ancient pyramids of Giza, which were built over 4,600 years ago.
Originally slated to open in 2012, the museum has seen multiple postponed openings, leading to frustration among potential visitors. Many had planned trips around its anticipated debut, expressing disappointment over the ongoing delays on social media platforms.
As of mid-February, 11 of the 12 main exhibition galleries were open to the public, along with the entrance hall and a staircase adorned with various artifacts. However, the highly anticipated Tutankhamen galleries, which will feature over 5,000 artifacts from the famous pharaoh's tomb, remain closed. These sections are expected to open in the summer, with an official ceremony scheduled for July 3.
Despite its incomplete status, the museum's existing offerings and architectural grandeur have impressed visitors. The main hall features a striking 3,200-year-old statue of Ramses II, and the Grand Staircase provides stunning views of the Giza pyramids through floor-to-ceiling windows.
The museum’s exhibition galleries are organized chronologically and thematically, showcasing artifacts from prehistory to the Roman era. Highlights include a collection of blue ushabti figurines, a mummified crocodile, and a 3,100-year-old wig made from human hair, which connects visitors to the ancient past.
The Grand Egyptian Museum joins two other significant institutions in Cairo: the historic Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, which opened in 2021. While the Egyptian Museum has been a cornerstone of antiquities for over a century, the Grand Egyptian Museum is positioned as the largest archaeological museum in the world dedicated to a single civilization.
Initially proposed by former President Hosni Mubarak in 1992, the museum's construction began in 2005, but it has faced numerous delays due to various crises. However, the long wait may soon be overshadowed by the museum's rich collection and the experience it offers to visitors.