The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) will be a spectacular addition to Egypt’s attractions – when it finally opens. Built close to the Giza pyramids, when finished it will be one of the largest museums in the world. The entire Tutankhamun collection will be housed together for the first time, together with many favourite objects, such as Khufu’s solar boat. The plan is to have three museums in Cairo presenting the treasures of ancient Egypt: the old Cairo Museum in Tahrir Square will remain open; the Royal Mummies can be seen at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation; and the new GEM will showcase a new collection.
Building the GEM has been a challenge. The foundation stone was laid in 2002, with an expected completion date around 2012. However, the various uprisings and COVID-19 pandemic led to repeated delays and, at the time of writing in mid-2023, there is still no official opening date. But in early 2023 the GEM began trialling a ‘soft opening’. Visitors can book a timeslot on the GEM website to attend a tour (in English or Arabic) of the interior atrium of the museum, although with no access to the actual galleries. I wanted to have a look at the GEM, so on my latest trip to Giza I pre-booked a place on the tour.
Things began badly when security told me that no cameras were allowed on the tour. I would have to leave my camera at the front gate and use my elderly phone to take photos. I could not see the logic in this, but I handed my camera in, as did the others on the tour.
