Egypt opens world's largest museum of its ancient civilization

The tomb of Tutankhamun will be displayed in full for the first time, as Emma Volney reports for ITV News

Egypt is unveiling its long-delayed Grand Egyption Museum, the world's largest museum dedicated to its ancient civilisation.

The $1-billion facility near the Giza Pyramids on the edge of Cairo, showcases more than 50,000 artifacts and has taken two decades to complete.

It will open to the public on Tuesday, but world leaders will attend a grand opening ceremony on Saturday, as security around the capital has been tightened.

The museum has been open for limited visits over the past few years, was closed for the final, two-week preparations.

A tourist takes a selfie in front of Akhenaten statue during his visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, Egypt. Credit: AP

The main building features a towering, triangular glass facade imitating the nearby pyramids, with a bridge linking the museum to the ancient attractions.

Its 12 main galleries, which opened last year, features antiquities from prehistoric times to the Roman era.

And two halls are dedicated to the 5,000 artifacts from King Tutankhamun's. The collection will be displayed in its entirely for the first time.

King Tut's tomb was discovered by British archaeologist Howard Carter in 1922 in the southern city of Luxor.

Tourists view the site of the great Pyramids from the rest zone of the Grand Egyptian Museum. Credit: AP

Construction began in 2005 but there were multiple delays due to political instability.

The government has revamped the area around the museum and the nearby Giza Plateau that holds the pyramids and the Sphinx. Roads were paved and a metro station is being constructed.

Sphinx International Airport, has also opened west of Cairo — 40 minutes from the museum.

The museum is one of several projects championed by President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi since he took office in 2014.

El-Sissi wrote on social media that the museum will bring "together the genius of ancient Egyptians and the creativity of modern Egyptians, enhancing the world culture and art with a new landmark that will attract all those who cherish civilization and knowledge.”

Tourists pose at the Grand staircase at the Grand Egyptian Museum. Credit: AP

Zahi Hawass, Egypt’s renowned archaeologist and former minister of antiquities, said the Tutankhamun collection is the museum's masterpiece.

“Why this museum is so important, and everyone is waiting for the opening?” he said. “Because of Tutankhamun.”

The collection includes the boy pharaoh’s three funeral beds and six chariots, his golden throne, his gold-covered sarcophagus and his burial mask, made of gold, quartzite, lapis lazuli and colored glass.

Tourists view the statue of Pharaoh Ramses II, at the Grand Egyptian Museum. Credit: AP

The government hopes the museum will boost the country's tourism industry and help revive its battered economy.

Egypt has suffered years of political turmoil and violence following the 2011 Arab Spring uprising.

A record number of about 15.7 million tourists visited Egypt in 2024, contributing about 8% of the country's GDP, according to official figures. The government aims to attract 30 million visitors annually by 2032.

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