Fun Facts About Famous Giza Pyramids

Pyramids of Giza, Wonders of the World Travel Destinations

       The pyramids are an architectural marvel and are now the most popular tourist destinations in Egypt. The largest pyramid is the Giza Pyramid, built by King Khufu.

The Giza pyramids are 139 meters high, made up of more than 2.3 million bricks, each weighing over a few tons.

The Pyramids of Giza are tombs built for the three kings of Egypt. The ancient Egyptians believed that when the king pharaoh died he built a tomb in a great pyramid for himself as a place to store all the things they would need in the next world.

In the beginning the pyramid was encased in brilliant white limestone. The limestone reflects the scorching sun of the Sahara Desert and dazzles those who gaze upon the pyramids.

Pyramids show a variety of amazing things. No wonder we find it difficult to believe that this ancient monument was built without modern machines.

More than 4,500 years ago the first pyramids were constructed in Egypt. There are 100 pyramids in the country in total.

Plan Your Trip to the Giza Pyramids

Apart from enjoying the view of the pyramids from the outside, you can also go inside these three pyramids for an additional fee. How to? according to Lonely Planet, here are ways to get to the Giza Pyramid Complex:

How To Get To The Giza Pyramid Complex

Book a tour guide will make your journey to the Giza pyramid complex easier. Most tour packages include pick up and drop off at your hotel. If you prefer to visit yourself without a guide, Uber is the easiest way to get to the Pyramids.

Plan for at least 4-5 hours to explore the Giza Complex at a leisurely pace. If you buy a ticket to enter the pyramids and visit the different cemeteries, you can spend around 7 hours or more there.

The best time to visit the Giza Pyramids is at the end of the year, between December and February when the weather is cooler. The visit is a bit crowded in October – November and March – April because the weather is friendly. To avoid the crowds, visit the pyramids early in the morning when the tours are just opening.

The Pyramids of Giza are open daily from 8am-5pm between October and March, and 7am to 7pm between April and September.

Egypt is a Muslim-majority country, therefore it is expected to wear a veiled clothing. Cover your shoulders and knees to respect local culture. Also, be sure to wear comfortable sandals or walking shoes, as well as a hat and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun.

The Giza Pyramids are located about 50 minutes from Cairo by car. You can stay in Downtown Cairo the night before your visit, but it's worth staying in one of the hotels near the Pyramids for one night. Not only can you enjoy the sunrise over the Pyramids, you can also sleep longer.

Here are Facts about Egypt Pyramids

1. The founder of the pyramids is a very respected figure

Imhotep was a person who gained immortality through the construction of a pyramid. He was the designer of the first tiered pyramid in Saqqara.

Apart from being a skilled architect, Imhotep also had the status of a high-ranking royal official, priest, and doctor. The ancient Egyptians respected Imhotep even more as a god.

2. For many ancient Egyptian kings, one pyramid is not enough

Pyramid is a complex consisting of a number of small pyramids or satellites. In this complex there are major roads, temples, and places where priests carry out rituals of kings.

3. Ancient Egyptians were obsessed with death

Mustering thousands of people, and spending decades to build a grave for one person seemed like a waste of time and resources.

But it wasn't only the king who invested in the afterlife. The pyramids at Giza are part of a large cemetery surrounded by hundreds of other important ancient Egyptian tombs.

Even so, workers have no right to be buried in such a luxurious cemetery. They could only hope to go straight to the afterlife for having built their pharaoh's holy tomb.

4. Treasure

The ancient Egyptian king was determined not to arrive in the afterlife empty handed.

Pyramids are striking places to bury treasure. The pharaoh's grave was often looted after construction.

In the modern era of archeology, many of the rooms in the pyramids are nearly empty. Fortunately, some ancient looters recorded descriptions of the treasures they got.