Grand Egyptian Museum Officially Opens Its Doors After Decades of Development

A Monumental Opening in Giza

The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), a project spanning over two decades, officially opened its doors to the public on November 4, 2025, following an inauguration ceremony for world leaders and dignitaries on November 1. Located approximately 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from the iconic Giza Pyramid Complex, the GEM is now the largest museum globally dedicated to a single civilization.

The museum's journey from concept to completion has been extensive. First announced in 1992, actual construction commenced in 2005 and was fully completed in 2023. The ambitious undertaking faced numerous delays, attributed to factors such as political turmoil following the 2011 Arab Spring, the COVID-19 pandemic, logistical challenges, and regional tensions.

A Billion-Dollar Investment in Heritage

The estimated cost of the Grand Egyptian Museum has exceeded $1 billion, with some reports citing a final figure of $1.2 billion. Initial cost projections were around $500 million, but the budget more than doubled over the course of its development. Funding for the project was secured through a combination of Egyptian national resources and international cooperation, notably including Japanese loans.

Designed by the Irish firm Heneghan Peng Architects, the museum spans an immense area of approximately 500,000 square meters (120 acres), making it a colossal architectural marvel. Its strategic location offers panoramic views of the Giza Pyramids, with its north and south walls precisely aligned with the Great Pyramid of Khufu and the Pyramid of Menkaure.

Treasures of Ancient Egypt on Display

The GEM is set to house an unparalleled collection of over 100,000 artifacts, offering a comprehensive journey through 7,000 years of ancient Egyptian history, from the Predynastic Period to the Greco-Roman era. A major highlight is the first-ever complete display of the King Tutankhamun collection, comprising 5,398 pieces, showcased together in a dedicated 7,500 square meter section.

Key exhibits include:

• The iconic Golden Mask of Tutankhamun.
• The Golden Throne of Tutankhamun and his chariots.
• A colossal 11-meter (36-foot), 83-ton statue of Ramses II, prominently displayed in the Grand Atrium.
• The unique Hanging Obelisk of Ramses II at the museum's entrance.
• The second solar ship of Khufu, and collections belonging to Queen Hetepheres and Yuya and Thuya.

The museum's exhibition spaces are organized both chronologically and thematically, guiding visitors through various aspects of ancient Egyptian society, beliefs, and kingship.

A Global Hub for Egyptology and Tourism

Hailed as 'Egypt's gift to the world,' the Grand Egyptian Museum is expected to significantly boost Egypt's tourism industry, with projections of attracting millions of visitors annually. Beyond its role as a public exhibition space, the GEM also features one of the largest and most advanced conservation and restoration centers in the Middle East, equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories for preserving artifacts, including mummies, wood, and metals.