Egyptian Pyramids of Giza

The Pyramids of Egypt which were the largest constructions ever built, represent the symbols of Ancient Egyptian civilization. They form the first series of pyramids constructed on the plateau representing the pinnacle of the pyramid age.

The ancient Greeks constructed the pyramids as the burial monuments associated with royal solar and stellar cults and most were built during the Old and Middle Kingdom periods. The number of pyramid structures range between 80 and 111. Today, Giza has become a greater part of Cairo Egypt with a necropolis of ancient Memphis and is the only wonder of the world which does not require any kind of description by any poets or ancient historians. It is the oldest pyramid and surviving of the seven ancient wonders.

The great pyramid of Giza has the pyramid of the 4th dynasty King Khufu in the centre with the pyramids of Khafre and menkaure to the right and the left sides. It is situated on the west bank of the Nile with a truly overwhelming sight. This ancient pyramid has continued to exist in spite of the rise and fall of great conquerors and dynasty.

The pyramid of Giza was 145.75 m when it was built and many years ago it lost its 10 m of its top. To cover the pyramid stones have been used. It has 51 degrees and 51 minutes of the sloping angles towards its sides. Each side has been carefully organized with edge points of the compass that is north, south, east and west. This structure contains more than 2 million blocks of stone weighing more than 2 tons. The entrance of the pyramid is on the north face and a number of galleries, corridors, and escape shafts lead to the king’s burial chamber. This pyramid has many passages and chambers which are not found in other pyramids. There is the special museum which has more than 5000 year old boats and it explores its unique internal arrangements.
Location

Egyptian Pyramids are located at the city of Giza, a necropolis of ancient Memphis, and today it is a part of Greater Cairo, Egypt.
Historical Importance

Around 5000 years ago, Giza became the royal necropolis, or burial place, for Memphis, the Pharaoh's capital city. Giza's three pyramids and the Sphinx were constructed in the fourth dynasty of Egypt's Old Kingdom. About 2,550 B.C., King Khufu, the second pharaoh of the fourth dynasty, commissioned the building of his tomb at Giza. Some Egyptologists believe that it took 10 years just to build the ramp that leads from the Nile valley floor to the pyramid, and 20 years to construct the pyramid itself.

Nearby Attractions: 

Egyptian Museum of Antiques
Major attractions of this museum are the Royal Mummy room, the Tutankhamun gallery, and the statue of Khafre.

Khan al-Khalili
The largest market in the world is Khan al-Khalili. There is a holy Islamic mosque, the Mosque of Sayyidna al- Hussein on north side of the market.

Sphinx
This statue has the face of human and the body of lion to signify the power of Pharaoh. Pharaohs was declared as the son of God and hence God themselves allowed them to build structures depicting their might as king-gods with supernatural powers.

Valley of the Kings
In 1922 the famous tomb of King Tutankhamen was found and all accumulated wealth was carted to the museum of Egypt.

The Nile cruise
It provides a small ride to various temples such as Horus, dedicated to god Horus depicted as a falcon who was the protector of the pharaohs, Kom-Ombu dedicated to two different gods such as the crocodile god representing evil and the falcon god representing good.

Abu Simbel
The temples of Abu Simbel are dedicated to Aman.

The Great Pyramid of Khufu
The pyramid is famous for being the tallest and biggest pyramid in Egypt. Khufus pyramid is made up of Limestone and is an architectural masterpiece.

The Pyramid of Khafre
It is the 2nd most popular pyramid in Egypt; and is easily recognised by the layers of its original casing stones that still remain near its summit. Its stands on the plateau behind the Sphinx, and its stones were polished only once with sparkling white.

Pyramid of Menkaure
Khafre’s son, Menkaure, built the smallest of the 3 main Pyramids on the Giza Plateau. It is made up of pink limestone.

The Pharos (Lighthouse) of Alexandria
It was designed by Greek Sostratus at the time of reign of kings Ptolemy II. This lighthouse has 3 stages. The original temple burned in 356 B.C. and was rebuilt on the same foundation.

The Statue of Zeus
It is situated in Ancient Greek city of Olympia. In the city Zeus 1st Olympic Games were held in 776 B.C. and it is at that time the temple of Zeus was built. The lavishing statue of Zeus is of 40 foot. Athenian sculptor Phidias created an ivory Zeus seated on a throne, draped in a gold robe.