Photo: Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)
In 1992, Egypt took the first steps toward realizing its grand dream by granting a 117-acre site near the Giza Pyramids to become one of the world's largest museums: the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM).
In 2002, the foundation stone was laid, beginning a long journey fraught with challenges and ambitions. Just one year later, in 2003, the Irish architectural firm Heneghan Peng was selected to design the museum after winning an international architectural competition.
Between 2005 and 2008, construction began, and the project began to take shape.
In 2010, the museum's Conservation Center opened, becoming a global center for the conservation and restoration of Egypt's archaeological treasures.
As the project grew in scale and importance, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi called for accelerated work in 2015 and 2016, continuing Egypt's pursuit of the museum's dream. In 2018, a statue of King Ramesses II was placed in the Grand Hall, the first artifact to find its home at the heart of the museum.
Over the years, work continued, and in 2020, construction progress reached 97%. In 2021, the museum's digital infrastructure reached 90% completion, paving the way for GEM to become a modern technology and heritage center.
In 2023, the Grand Stairs partially reopened to the public, offering a majestic introduction to the splendor of Egyptian civilization. Then, in 2024, the partial reopening of the main galleries allowed the world to glimpse the unique treasures that were to be on display.
Finally, the eagerly awaited year of 2025 is upon us. It's the year of the full opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, which has become an international tourist attraction, encompassing thousands of years of history, where each artifact tells the story of Egypt's magnificent civilization.
The GEM is the world's largest museum dedicated to ancient Egyptian civilization, from prehistory to the late Greek and Roman eras. Here, you'll discover the stories behind the artifacts, some of which were discovered just steps away from the GEM.
The museum bridges the gap between the past and the present, combining the splendor of ancient Egyptian civilization with cutting-edge museum technology.