The colossus of ancient Egyptian Pharaoh Ramesses II, at its permanent display spot in the Grand Egyptian Museum. Courtesy
Located across from the iconic pyramids of Giza in Cairo, the Grand Egyptian Museum is set to be the world’s largest archeological institution. Previously scheduled to open its doors to the public in late 2020, the long-awaited museum’s inauguration date has been postponed to 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic temporarily slowing the pace of construction and reducing the number of workers in alignment with national precautionary guidelines. In preparation for this forthcoming treasure trove of Egyptian history, we round up all the numbers you need to know before exploring its highly-anticipated halls next year.
15,000
The number of visitors the museum can handle per day, with some 5 million expected each year
480,000sqm
The size of the plot of land the museum is built on
28 years
How long ago the project was announced, with the first foundation stone laid in February 2002
USS 1 billion
Cost to build the new complex outside central Cairo in the desert between the Nile Valley and Giza plate
2.25 million cubic meters
The amount of sand removed outside the site for uninterrupted views of the Giza pyramids 2km away
100,000
Number of Egyptian artifacts from the prehistoric era to the present day, including 30 000 that have never been displayed. It’s the world’s largest antiquities collection of a culture’s heritage
64m
Length of the grand staircase lined with 87 statues of Egyptian gods and kings
600m
Height of the translucent alabaster stone facade greeting visitors before coming face-to-toe with the towering Ramses II statue marking the atrium’s entrance
5,000
Number of objects from King Tutankhamun’s tomb. The entire funerary collection is on exhibition for the first time, featuring his chariot, throne, and gold sarcophagus in a 7 000sqm recreation of the burial chamber discovered 98 years ago
7,000sqm
Area of the largest conservation center in the Middle East housing 10 specialized laboratories for preserving and restoring discoveries
$25
The anticipated ticket price
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