Pyramids of Gizeh travel guide

A testament to the power of humanity and ancient Egyptian strength.

The capital of the Old Kingdom of Egypt has some extraordinary funerary monuments, including rock tombs, ornate mastabas, temples and pyramids. In ancient times, the site was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The pyramids and the Sphinx are illuminated during the hours of darkness. “Sound and Light” events take place in the evenings on the grounds south-east of the Sphinx. There can scarcely be a more spectacular backdrop for the production of the famous opera by Giuseppe Verdi than the pyramids of Gizeh. Every year in October, this spectacle attracts opera fans from all over the world. Information and tickets are available at every good travel agency.
The pyramids of Gizeh, a creation from the fourth dynasty (around 2670 to around 2500 BC is probably the most significant point of interest in Egypt and one of the most visited locations in the country. It is the most impressive and extensive of the six pyramid groups which extend along the edge of the western desert plateau for a distance of approx. 40 km. It is calm here only in the early morning hours. After that, numerous buses unload the visitors which are immediately surrounded by souvenir vendors, camel drivers and horse lenders. The methods for convincing tourists to take a ride around the pyramids are sometimes quite adventurous; a healthy portion of distrust will not be misplaced. The pyramids share their location to the west of the Nile valley, at the edge of the desert, and the massive build-up of mighty blocks of the limestone in the surrounding area (particularly nummulite limestone) with an originally polished covering of finer white limestone or granite. In the interior, the more recent pyramids have a spatially relatively limited tomb chamber, a room for the cult of the deceased as well as rooms for tomb gifts. In early times, all of these rooms were subterranean. Furthermore, all pyramids share the access from the north and a cult temple on the east side to which an originally open, later frequently covered route leads up from the valley temple at the edge of the drop to the Nile. The famous parts:
Cheops Pyramid, Pyramid of Chephren, Sphinx, Pyramid of Mykerinos

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jennifly

I had the most amazing spiritual time in Egypt. The pryamids are just breathtaking. So glad that i was able to see this world wonder, and its still standing from over 3,000 years!

2008-05-07 / follow jennifly / report abuse