Cairo Attractions
Description
Venue: The Pyramids at Giza When: Daily
The only one of the Seven Wonders of the World still left standing, the three pyramids of Giza, part of the necropolis of Memphis, are a sight which dwarfs even the proudest of modern buildings. The Pyramids are also home to the Sphinx, perhaps the best known monument in the whole of Egypt.
Contrary to popular belief, it was only one of the pyramids, the Great Pyramid of Khufu, which was classified around the 5th century BC as a Wonder with a capital 'W'. It is the oldest and the only remaining monument on this classic list of the seven wonders of the ancient world which was mentioned by Herodotus and probably kept in the library of Alexandria.
To build the Pyramid of Khufu, experts estimate 84,000 people employed for 80 days a year worked for 20 years to complete the pyramid. Incredibly, for 40+ centuries it was the tallest man-made structure on earth, only surpassed with the advent of the 19th century and high-tech construction techniques.
There are two other pyramids in the complex - Khafre and Menkaure. These, while still pretty impressive, are easily overwhelmed by the sheer scope of their bigger cousin. But together they form a truly majestic spectacle and one which you certainly shouldn't miss during your trip in Egypt.
So why did a large fraction of Lowe Egypt's male population sweat for most of their adult lives to create this stupendously timeless structure? It seems Pharaohs went out of their way to prove their incredible stature for the present and for coming generations, competing with each other to the point where poor Pharaoh Khafre, who built his pyramid after Khufu, had to put his smaller pyramid on top of a mound to make it look bigger, as well as covering the lower steps with granite to make them look impressive.
Whatever their size, perhaps the most amazing thing about them is that a ruler actually had the sheer autocratic will and ambition to order them made! Turning the constructive efforts of a whole empire towards building a monument to oneself, for more than 20 years, is no mean task...
The only one of the Seven Wonders of the World still left standing, the three pyramids of Giza, part of the necropolis of Memphis, are a sight which dwarfs even the proudest of modern buildings. The Pyramids are also home to the Sphinx, perhaps the best known monument in the whole of Egypt.
Contrary to popular belief, it was only one of the pyramids, the Great Pyramid of Khufu, which was classified around the 5th century BC as a Wonder with a capital 'W'. It is the oldest and the only remaining monument on this classic list of the seven wonders of the ancient world which was mentioned by Herodotus and probably kept in the library of Alexandria.
To build the Pyramid of Khufu, experts estimate 84,000 people employed for 80 days a year worked for 20 years to complete the pyramid. Incredibly, for 40+ centuries it was the tallest man-made structure on earth, only surpassed with the advent of the 19th century and high-tech construction techniques.
There are two other pyramids in the complex - Khafre and Menkaure. These, while still pretty impressive, are easily overwhelmed by the sheer scope of their bigger cousin. But together they form a truly majestic spectacle and one which you certainly shouldn't miss during your trip in Egypt.
So why did a large fraction of Lowe Egypt's male population sweat for most of their adult lives to create this stupendously timeless structure? It seems Pharaohs went out of their way to prove their incredible stature for the present and for coming generations, competing with each other to the point where poor Pharaoh Khafre, who built his pyramid after Khufu, had to put his smaller pyramid on top of a mound to make it look bigger, as well as covering the lower steps with granite to make them look impressive.
Whatever their size, perhaps the most amazing thing about them is that a ruler actually had the sheer autocratic will and ambition to order them made! Turning the constructive efforts of a whole empire towards building a monument to oneself, for more than 20 years, is no mean task...
Cairo Information
Cairo Tourist Office
Address: Misr Travel Tower, Abbassia Square, Cairo, Egypt
Phone: +20 (0) 2 285 4509 or +20 (0) 2 284 1970
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Looking for things to do around Cairo? Here are some of the events and attractions happening in the area.
| Aida at Giza |
Oct 2008 (annual) Pyramids at Giza |
| International Yoga Festival |
May - Jun 2009 (annual) Pyramids at Giza |
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