Egyptian Museum

Overview

Located in Tahrir Square, the Egyptian Museum (Museum of Egyptian Antiquities) houses the world's most extensive collection of pharaonic artifacts, with over 120,000 items spanning 5,000 years of history.

Highlights

• Tutankhamun Gallery: The legendary gold funerary mask weighing 11 kg of solid gold, along with sarcophagi, chariots, and jewellery from the boy king's tomb.
• Royal Mummy Room: View the remarkably preserved remains of some of Egypt's most powerful pharaohs, including Ramesses II and Hatshepsut.
• Amarna Collection: Sculptures and reliefs from the revolutionary artistic period of Pharaoh Akhenaten.

History

Founded in 1902, the distinctive pink neo-classical building was designed by French architect Marcel Dourgnon. The collection was first assembled by Auguste Mariette, who established it to prevent the wholesale looting of Egyptian antiquities.

Visitor Tips

• Mummy Room: Requires a separate, additional ticket — buy it at the main counter.
• Photography: Photography permits can be purchased but flash photography is strictly prohibited.
• Duration: 2.5–3 hours.