CAIRO, 1 November 2025: Egypt officially inaugurated the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) today in a ceremony held at the museum complex near the Giza Pyramids, marking the culmination of more than two decades of planning and construction.The opening event was attended by 79 official international delegations, including 39 led by heads of state, monarchs or government leaders, according to Egyptian presidential announcements. The ceremony featured an elaborate cultural programme with music, drone light displays and fireworks staged at the museum site.
Egypt showcases centuries of heritage at the Grand Egyptian Museum. (Credit – WAM)
The museum complex is described by Egyptian authorities as the world’s largest archaeological museum dedicated to a single civilisation. It encompasses exhibition galleries that display artefacts spanning ancient Egypt from prehistoric times to the Roman era. Among the key features is the complete collection of treasures from Tutankhamun exhibited together for the first time since their discovery. Construction of the GEM began in the early 2000s and faced multiple delays, including due to political upheaval and the global pandemic. The building project, designed by the Irish-based firm Heneghan Peng Architects, cost approximately US$1 billion and covers nearly half a million square metres of exhibition and support space.
The Grand Egyptian Museum houses over 100,000 artefacts
At the opening address President Abdel Fattah el‑Sisi described the museum as a symbol of Egypt’s civilisational heritage and a new global cultural landmark. He affirmed that the museum reflects Egypt’s dedication to showcasing its historical legacy in a modern international context. Museum officials noted that the GEM replaces the older Egyptian Museum in central Cairo as the nation’s flagship institution for ancient Egyptian antiquities. The new facility features twelve main galleries, modern museology design, interactive exhibits and children’s museum spaces to enhance visitor experience.
The government has positioned the museum as a cornerstone of its tourism and cultural strategy. In recent years Egypt’s tourism sector has shown signs of recovery, and officials expect the GEM to play a major role in attracting international visitors. The museum’s opening coincides with infrastructure upgrades in the Giza Plateau area, including new transport links and expanded visitor access routes. The public will be able to visit the museum starting from 4 November, with standard opening hours set at 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time. Some facilities in the surrounding complex will exceed these hours on weekends to accommodate increased visitor demand.
Egypt strengthens its role in preserving world heritage
The inauguration of the GEM signals a significant milestone in Egypt’s efforts to modernise its cultural institutions and present its heritage on the global stage. With its vast collection, state-of-the-art facilities and proximity to one of the world’s most iconic archaeological sites, the museum is set to become a focal point for both domestic and international tourism. The opening reinforces Egypt’s position as a leading center for archaeology, education, and cultural diplomacy, offering visitors an immersive journey through 7,000 years of civilisation. – By Content Syndication Services.