To many people the Pyramids are Egypt. The massive ancient monuments never fail to dazzle all who see them, whether for the first or the fifteenth time. But the splendor of the pharaohs lives on in many sites in Cairo besides the famous Giza pyramids. The pyramid and tombs complexes of Saqqara and Dashur and the Egyptian museum combine with the great pyramids to make Egypt’s capital a superb place to immerse yourself in the splendor of ancient dynasties, combined with the comforts and excitement of a major world capital.
The highlight of Cairo’s pharonic monuments are the Pyramids at Giza, commonly described with a dazzling array of superlatives that still fail to do justice to the spectacular sight. There are three main pyramids at Giza, built by the Old Kingdom pharaohs Cheops, Chephren, and Mycerinus; the Great Pyramid of Cheops is the oldest and largest. The Greek traveler and historian Herotodus tells how some Egyptians claimed that Cheops’ daughter demanded that each of her lovers provide a stone for the Pyramid; it’s more likely that the pyramid was built by peasants conscripted to work for the king when agricultural work was light. Chephren’s pyramid is slightly shorter, but it still has its limestone cap ? all the pyramids were originally sheathed in smooth limestone, which was later pilfered for other building projects. In addition to the main pyramids, there are several small pyramids built for the wives and children of the pharaohs.
The pyramids were designed as tombs for Egypt’s pharaohs, and visitors can climb into the hearts of the pyramids to see the burial chamber. All three tomb chambers are empty, looted by grave robbers centuries millennia ago. Although there is no decoration inside the tombs, the unique and indescribable feeling of awe at being inside a man-made mountain is more than worth the extra ticket needed to go inside. Next to the pyramid of Cheops is the Solar Boat Museum. The ceremonial boat used during the funeral ceremonies of a dead pharaoh was taken apart and buried in the sand, which preserved it so well that when archaeologists discovered it a decade ago they were able to rebuild it and put it on display.
