The Pyramids of Giza

20 December 2020

It seems as if time has stood still just outside the city of Cairo. Here you can find the imposing pyramids of Giza. These buildings are extraordinary, mysterious and incredibly famous.

The Giza Pyramids are located about 18 kilometers south of the capital Cairo. These three pyramids are around 5000 years old and built between 2551 and 2472 BC. The construction was commissioned by the Pharaoh’s Cheops, Chefron and Mykerinos. Pyramids were used as graves for Pharaoh’s.

Kamelen Voor Piramides Van Gizeh

Pyramid of Cheops

The pyramid of Cheops is the largest of three and the only building of the ancient wonders of the world that still exists. For 4000 years this pyramid was the highest building in the world, with an altitude of 146 meters.

Cheops was the country’s largest Pharaoh in history. He ruled for 35 years over Upper and Lower Egypt in the fourth dynasty. Cheops gave the order to build this impressive building. Construction lasted about 20 years and is suspected that over 100,000 people built on this monument. The pyramid is 146 meters high and 230 meters wide.

Pyramid of Chephren

The second pyramid is the pyramid of Chepren. Chephren was the son of Pharaoh Cheops and the third pharaoh in the fourth dynasty. Just as his father, Chephren gave the order to build the middle pyramid. It seems like the middle pyramid is larger than the pyramid of Cheops, but this is not the case. The pyramid of Chepren is built on a plateau, which makes the pyramid look bigger. The pyramid is 143 meters high and 215 meters wide. Until 1853 this pyramid was hidden under the desert sand.

Pyramid of Mykerinos

The third pyramid is the pyramid of Mykerinos. Mykerinos was the grandson of Cheops and the son of Chephren. Mykerinos ruled as the fourth Pharaoh in the fourth dynasty. The third pyramid is nicknamed ‘the red pyramid’ due to the red-colored granite cover of the pyramid. The pyramid is 61 meters high and 105 meters wide. The original height was 66 meters; however the pyramid has dropped 4 meters over the years.

The Sphinx of Giza

In addition to these various pyramids, the famous Sphinx of Giza is also located in this area. The Sphinx is one of the largest and most famous statues in the world. The statue was built during the fourth dynasty. It is assumed that the statue started with a lion’s head but Pharaoh Chephren chopped his own head into it over the years. This sculpture is next to the Chephren pyramid and is 36 meters long, 6 meters wide and 10 meters high. This impressive sculpture is also called the guardian of Giza. The statue was dug out by Napoleon in the year 1798.

Great Sphinx of Giza | Description, History, & Facts | Britannica

What is the best time to visit the Pyramids?

Because the pyramids are known worldwide, it can be very busy. This makes it the best to visit the pyramids early in the morning. If you want to look inside the Cheops pyramid, we definitely advise you to be early. From 08:00 you can buy tickets to enter the pyramids. The pyramid grounds are open daily between 07:00 and 19:00.

Until today there are many unresolved puzzles and questions among scientists and researchers. It remains a mystery why the pyramids are built in this place and whether this is related to the galaxy. In addition, the holes in the pyramids are a big question mark for the researchers.

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