The Great Pyramids of Giza

The Great Giza Pyramids are situated 10 kilometres from Cairo on the Giza Plateau, and comprise:

Cheops Pyramid

The most famous structure in the world was built by King Cheops (4th Dynasty) around 2650 B.C. Its height is 137 metres (originaly 146 metres). Almost 2.5 million blocks of stone were put into building this construction. All this, however, dwindles when compared to the precision and astounding ability of the ancient Egyptians in building this construction.

Close to the eastern flank of Cheops are three small pyramids dedicated either to his wives or family members.

Kephren Pyramid

Built by the ancient Egyptian pharaoh Kephren. At the base, it measures 215.5 square metres and it is 136 metres hight. Its interior is simple, with two entrances on the north side. This pyramid, like all other pyramids of Giza, had an exterior covering of fine-grain limestone. Now, only a small part of this covering remains.

The visitor can also still see the remains of his mortuary temple, the Temple of the Valley, and its rising causeway. These temples witnessed the religious rites during the embalming of the body.

Menkaure Pyramid

Built by Mycerinus (Menkaure) it is much smaller than either one (62 metres). It is distinguished by the fact that the lower part of its sides still retains their granite slab coverings.

The three Pyramids of Giza are surrounded by several small ones and hundreds of mastaba-tombs for the royal family, nobles, and other high-ranking people.

The Solar Boats

The ancient Egyptians carved spacious areas in the rock. There they placed wooden boats, to be at the disposal of the King when he went on his journey of Day and Night with the sun god Ra, in the afterworld.

Early excavations have discovered three such sun boat sites on the east side of the Great Cheops. Two other sites were discovered on the south side. When the huge stone slabs were removed, they revealed parts of a large boat made of cedar wood in very good condition. There were also other implements, such as oars, ropes and a kiosk for sitting. The boat was 43.5 metres long, the prow and stern were 5 and 7 metres high respectively.

The boats are now housed in a special museum, south of the construction of Cheops. The museum is open from 9-4 daily, for a fixed fee.

The Sphinx

On the way to The Temple of the Valley lies the large statue of the Sphinx. Like the pyramids it is also one of the most famous monuments in the world. It is 70 metres long and 20 metres high.

Scholars and scientists are of the opinion that the face of the Sphinx closely resembles that of King Kephren. The Sphinx and the three pyramids of Giza are regarded as one of the seven wonders of the world.

A small fee is to be paid when touring the Giza Pyramids area.

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