The Grand Egyptian Museum is humanity's most ambitious celebration of ancient civilisation — a place where 5,000 years of history come alive beside the eternal Pyramids of Giza.
The Grand Egyptian Museum was founded with a singular purpose: to bring the entirety of Egypt's ancient heritage under one roof, presenting it to the world with the dignity, context, and scholarship it deserves.
For decades, Egypt's greatest treasures were scattered across multiple institutions, many lacking the space to display their full collections. The GEM changes this permanently — uniting artefacts that have been separated for over a century.
"To connect people across time and culture through the treasures of ancient Egypt — making the ancient world accessible, inspiring, and alive for all humanity."
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Egyptian authorities first propose a new national museum to relieve pressure on the overcrowded Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square and create a world-class facility worthy of Egypt's heritage.
Over 1,557 architectural firms from 82 countries submit designs. The winning concept by Heneghan Peng Architects (Dublin) is selected for its dramatic triangular form and alignment with the Pyramids.
President Hosni Mubarak lays the foundation stone at the Giza Plateau site. Construction begins on what will become the world's largest archaeological museum.
The colossal 11-metre granite statue of Ramses II — the museum's centrepiece — is transported from the Egyptian Museum to the GEM's Grand Atrium in an extraordinary logistical operation watched worldwide.
For the first time in history, all 5,398 objects from the tomb of Tutankhamun are displayed together in a single dedicated gallery — a moment described by archaeologists as "the greatest exhibition event of the century."
The Grand Egyptian Museum officially opens to the public, welcoming visitors from around the world to experience 100,000+ artefacts across 93,000 m² of exhibition space — the largest archaeological museum ever built.
Designed by Irish firm Heneghan Peng Architects, the GEM's dramatic translucent stone facade is oriented toward the Pyramids of Giza — visible through the enormous glass entrance wall. The building's triangular plan echoes the ancient geometry of its neighbours.
The Grand Staircase — a sweeping monumental ascent lined with 87 royal statues — serves as the spine of the museum, guiding visitors chronologically through 5,000 years of history across three vast exhibition floors.
The facade itself is crafted from translucent alabaster panels, which glow warmly at night, transforming the building into a luminous beacon visible from across the Giza plateau.
An Egyptologist of international renown, Dr. Tawfik has overseen the GEM project since its early stages and has been instrumental in shaping its curatorial vision and global partnerships.
Leading a team of over 200 curators and conservators, Dr. Abdel Razek has directed the cataloguing and installation of the museum's 100,000+ artefacts over more than a decade.
Director of the GEM Conservation Centre — one of the world's largest and most advanced museum conservation facilities — overseeing the restoration and preservation of ancient objects.