The first a remarkable place may come up to your mind when you hear about Giza or Cairo city is the pyramids of Giza those enormous man-made structures were built thousands of years ago to the pharaohs of the kingdom to protect their bodies from vanishing. Ancient Egyptians were seeking immortality so between 2630 and 1640 B.C. they started building these massive tombs in the shape of pyramids to save their deceased corps.
Pyramids Of Giza
The ancient Egyptians constructed the pyramids primarily for architectural and religious reasons. They believed in preserving and protecting their bodies for eternal life in the spiritual world and buried their treasures with them. They also viewed their king as the son of the god Osiris and his representative on Earth. The three pyramids of Giza belong to Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure. If you plan to travel to Egypt, be sure to read about each of them individually.
Khufu pyramid
The Great Pyramid of Egypt, built by King Khufu of the Fourth Dynasty and also known as Cheops (in Greek), contains about 6.25 million tons of stone, including 2,300,000 blocks, each weighing around 50 tons. To reach the King’s Chamber, you must pass through a corridor with a height of 8.74 meters, entirely made of granite from southern Aswan. Don’t forget to visit the Queen’s Chamber as well.
Seven large boat-shaped pits were designed to transport Khufu to the afterlife and to sail through eternity. Five of these pits are on the eastern side of the pyramid, and the remaining two are on the southern side. Additionally, one of the boats was removed to a special museum.
Khafre pyramid
Khafre initially planned to build his magnificent monument at Abo Rawash. However, he later chose to return to Giza and site it next to his father’s pyramid. Consequently, his pyramid is the second-largest, standing nearly 136.4 meters high. It rests on an outcrop of pink granite, while the upper sections use limestone blocks weighing about 2 tons each.
The pyramid has two entrances. The lower entrance leads to a passageway that ends with a portcullis. Beyond the portcullis, you’ll find a short passage to a chamber, likely used as a storeroom and serving a role similar to the Queen’s Chamber in Khufu’s pyramid. Additionally, as you explore the ground-level entrance, you’ll discover that the upper side is even more awe-inspiring, where the burial chamber resides.
Pyramid Of Menkaure
Menkaure, the son of Khafre and the fifth king of the Fourth Dynasty, built the smallest of the major pyramids at Giza. Its interior design closely resembles those of his father’s and grandfather’s pyramids. Standing about 62 meters high, the pyramid used limestone and granite transported from Aswan.
You enter from the north side, which leads to a passageway ending in a stone-covered hall. Beyond this, you find the burial chamber, where archaeologists discovered a wooden coffin with Menkaure’s name. Currently, his mummy resides in the British Museum.
The pyramids of Giza have stood out through the ages, showcasing the greatness of ancient Egyptian construction. Despite the challenging conditions and lack of modern technology, they still influence the world today. Scientists think Menkaure’s pyramid was unfinished at his death. However, his son completed the work later.
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