Pyramids of Giza

         

 About Pyramids of Giza

The Pyramids of Giza, along with the Sphinx, is the most recognisable icon of Egypt for the past four thousand years. The Giza Necropolis, where the pyramids are located, is about 25km southwest of Cairo city centre, and 8km outside the old town of Giza. Nevertheless, due to the continual growth of Cairo, housing development reaches right up to the desert bordering the pyramids. Since 1979, the Pyramids of Giza, as well as the ancient ruins in Memphis, Saqqara, Dahshur, Abu Ruwaysh and Abusir, were collectively inscribed by Unesco as a World Heritage Site.

At Giza are three giant-size pyramids, and numerous smaller ones. The three big ones are the Pyramid of Khufu, also known as the Great Pyramid or the Pyramid of Cheops; in the middle a few hundred metres to its southwest is the Pyramid of Khafre, or Chephren, who is one of Khufu's successors; and the smallest of the three, another few hundred metres southwest, the Pyramid of Menkaure, Khafre's successor. The Pyramid of Khafre, with the Sphinx a short distance in front of it, is often thought to be the largest, but this is due to its position on a higher elevation. Egyptologists agree that the Sphinx was modelled after the pharoah Khafre. The three pyramids are lined up diagonally in a row, with the Pyramid of Menkaure slightly out of the alignment (see plan below). Arrayed beside them are smaller satellite pyramids built for the queens. One of these contain the tomb of Hetepheres, the Khufu's mother, and wife as well as half-sister of his father, whe founder of the Fourth dynasty of Egypt, who reigned from 2613BC to 2589BC.

The biggest as well as oldest of the three major pyramids is the Pyramid of Khufu. It has a width of 230.4m (755.8ft) on each side, and a current height of 138m. When it was built, it was 146.8 m tall (480.9ft) but erosion and theft of its topmost stone has somewhat reduced its height. It rises at an angle of 51 deg 50' 40". The Pyramid of Khufu was built over a 20-year period, completed around 2560 BC, to entomb the Fourth dynasty pharoah Khufu. Also constructed with the pyramid were two mortuary temples in honour of Khufu, one close to the pyramid while another near the Nile, a causeway linking them, three smaller pyramids for the pharoah's wife, boat pits, and tombs for the nobles.

The second biggest pyramid at Giza is the Pyramid of Khafre. It has a width of 215m (715ft) on each side. The pyramid rises at an angle of 53 deg 10', steeper than Khufu's, to a height of 143.5m (471ft). It sits on bedrock 10m (33ft) higher than the Pyramid of Khufu, making it look taller.

The third biggest pyramid at Giza (smallest of the main three) is the Pyramid of Menkaure. It has a base of 105m (344ft) on each side, and rises to a height of 62m (203ft) from an original height of 65.5m (215ft). It was constructed of limestone and granite.

Unesco Inscription

The Pyramids of Giza is inscribed as a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1979 under criteria i, iii and vi.

Getting there

You can go to the Pyramids of Giza (called "Al-Ahram" in Arabic) from Cairo by metro, taxi and bus. Metro Line 2 goes to Giza station. From there, take a mini bus for the remaining 10 km to the Pyramids. You can also take the taxi, but remember to bargain and reject any offers to be taken shopping. To go by bus, take the white, air-conditioned CTA (Cairo Transport Authority) Bus No. 355 or 357. The bus stops at the Abdel Menem Riyad Station next to the Egyptian Museum, from where you can ride to the Pyramids. It costs 2.00 Egyptian pounds.

Weather in Pyramids of Giza

Climate of Pyramids of Giza

The Pyramids of Giza are located in a sand desert. The climate is dry and very hot in summer and moderate in winter, which is from November to March. Most visitors come during the "cooler" months. It almost never rains.

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