Giza Necropolis – Pyramids, Thebes and Ancient Tombs

All You Need to Know About Giza Necropolis 

What is Giza Necropolis?

Giza Necropolis, situated near Giza, a suburb of Cairo, encompasses a substantial area containing numerous tombs and burial sites.

Giza complex in Egypt has three main pyramids: the Great Pyramid, the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure. They were built around 2600-2500 BC and are accompanied by temples, cemeteries, a workers’ village, and the Great Sphinx.

 

 

Where is Giza Necropolis?

Giza Necropolis is 9 kilometers west of the Nile River in Giza and about 13 kilometers southwest of Cairo City. It is part of Memphis City and its Necropolis UNESCO World Heritage Site, designated in 1979. Other pyramid complexes in the area include Abusir, Saqqara, and Dahshur. Additional pyramid fields were at Abu Rawash, Zawyet El Aryan, and Meidum.

 

The Idea of Giza Necropolis

The pyramids symbolize the king’s resurrection to immortal life. Each pyramid’s construction varies, and our team will help you discover their mysterious secrets during Cairo Day Tours.

 

What are the largest pyramids in Giza Necropolis?

The Great Pyramid and the Pyramid of Khafre are the biggest pyramids in Giza Necropolis and ancient Egypt. They have been common symbols of Ancient Egypt in the Western world. The Great Pyramid is the oldest ancient wonder and the only one still standing.

 

Khufu’s complex

Khufu’s pyramid complex encompasses a valley temple underneath the village of Nazlet el-Samman and leads to the Temple of Khufu, which is linked to Khufu pyramid. Additionally, the pyramid of the king features three smaller queen’s pyramids, three boat pits, and casing stones constructed from white limestone sourced from Tura.

 

Khafre’s complex

Khafre’s pyramid complex includes the sphinx temple, a valley temple, the king’s pyramid, a causeway, and a mortuary temple. Numerous statues of Khafre were unearthed in the valley temple.

Additionally, the complex features boat pits and a subsidiary pyramid. Due to its elevated position and steeper construction angle, Khafre Pyramid appears larger than the neighboring Khufu Pyramid but smaller in height and volume.

 

Menkaure’s complex

The complex of Menkaure’s pyramid includes a valley temple, a causeway, a mortuary temple, and the king’s pyramid. Originally, the valley temple contained many statues of Menkaure, and during the 5th Dynasty, a smaller ante-temple was added to it. Several statues of Menkaure were also found in the mortuary temple. The king’s pyramid, completed around 2510 BC, is accompanied by three smaller subsidiary pyramids, likely built for the queens.

 

Saqqara Pyramid 

Saqqara Step Pyramid is a key Egyptian landmark and one of the world’s earliest pyramids in Giza Necropolis. It’s known for its unique stepped shape and was the first pyramid built by the ancient Egyptians. Also called the Pyramid of Djoser, it’s named after the king buried inside.

 

In Giza Necropolis, you can also admire magnificent monuments such as:

The Great Sphinx

It was built during the reign of King Khafre. In the New Kingdom, Amenhotep II established a new temple for Hauron-Haremakhet, which subsequent rulers later expanded.

 

 

The Valley Temple:

 

Tomb of Queen Khentkaus I

Khentkaus, I was laid to rest in Giza. Her burial site, LG 100 and G 8400, is in the Central Field, near the valley temple of Menkaure. The pyramid complex dedicated to Queen Khentkaus comprises her pyramid, a boat pit, a valley temple, and a pyramid town.

 

 

Giza Necropolis tours

Giza Necropolis Tours typically include stops at the three great pyramids (Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure), the Sphinx, and the surrounding tombs and temples when visiting the Giza Necropolis. You can also take guided tours inside the pyramids and enjoy an evening sound and light show. Local guides can share historical insights about these ancient structures.

One of the most captivating experiences in Cairo is exploring the remarkable pyramids of Giza, which have stood as enduring architectural marvels since the Fourth Dynasty. These tours offer the chance to uncover the secrets of Egyptian civilization and appreciate its wonders.

 

Giza Necropolis tickets

Giza pyramids area	540 L.E
Khufu Pyramid from inside	900 L.E
Khafre pyramid	220 L.E
Mankaure pyramid	220 L.E
Sphinx (private visits only)+site opening fees	200 L.E
TOMB OF Mer-S-Ankh	120 L.E
Workers’ graves	700 L.E
Car tickets in Giza Pyramid Area	Taxi\private car 20 L.E  – Minibus 40 L.E -Bus 60 L.E

 

What is a necropolis in Egypt?

The necropolis is a large ancient burial site on the west bank of the Nile, across from Luxor City. It is one of Egypt’s most well-known burial grounds, where pharaohs and noble people from the new kingdom were laid to rest.

The Theban Necropolis is home to a substantial number of elite tombs dating from the conclusion of the Old Kingdom to the Ptolemaic Period. Most of these tombs date back to the New Kingdom (c. 1550-1077 BC).

 

Theban Necropolis includes:

• Valley of the Kings

Valley of the Kings is an amazing valley on the west side of the Nile, across from Thebes (Luxor) in the Theban Necropolis. The valley has two main parts: the East Valley, where most royal tombs are, and the West Valley, also called the Valley of the Monkeys.

 

• Valley of the Queens

The main valley, known as the Valley of the Queens, has the most tombs, 91, while the other valleys together contain 19. All the burials in these valleys date back to the 18th Dynasty.

 

• Royal Cache

The space contains a special collection of preserved bodies and burial items belonging to over 50 kings, queens, and other royal family members from the New Kingdom. It served as a storage place for royal mummies during the Twenty-first Dynasty.

 

• Bab el Gasus

The burial site contained 254 elaborately decorated coffins, with 101 double sets totaling 153 coffin sets. Additionally, there were 110 shabti boxes, 77 Osirian wooden statuettes (mostly hollow and containing a papyrus), 8 wooden steles, 2 large wooden statues of Isis and Nephthys, 16 canopic reed baskets, and 5 round baskets made of woven reed.

 

• El Assasif

El-Assasif has tombs from ancient Egypt’s 18th, 22nd, 25th, and 26th dynasties, dating between 1550 and 525 BC.

 

• El Khokha

The hill is surrounded by a cemetery containing five Old Kingdom tombs and over 50 tombs from various other periods.

 

Other necropolises in the Theban area include Deir el-Bahari, Medinet Habu, and Tomb of the Nobles.

 

City of the Dead Tours: Al Arafa

The City of the Dead in Cairo is an unusual burial ground where the living and the deceased share space. Due to financial constraints, many families have established a lively community within the cemeteries, turning this resting place into their home.

Take a guided tour to the City of the Dead to learn about this unique way of life.

 

Necropolis blessing of the gods

In ancient Egypt, the blessings of the gods related to necropolises, which had religious significance because they reflected beliefs related to the afterlife.

Necropolises, as places related to the afterlife, include various ways for the favor of gods to protect the body of the deceased, such as:

• Funerary Texts

Ancient texts such as the Book of the Dead were filled with prayers aimed at safeguarding the body and soul of the deceased during their journey to the afterlife. These sacred texts were carefully placed in tombs to call upon the blessings of the gods.

• The structures of tombs and pyramids were aligned with celestial bodies to symbolize the connection to gods. The builders thought this alignment attracted the gods’ divine protection.
• Daily Offerings of food and drinks were made to the deceased, soliciting the gods’ favor to sustain the soul in the afterlife.