The Bent Pyramid is an ancient Egyptian pyramid located at the royal necropolis of Dahshur, approximately 40 kilometres south of Cairo, built under the Old Kingdom Pharaoh Sneferu. A unique example of early pyramid development in Egypt, this was the second pyramid built by Sneferu.
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الهرم الابيض
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Satellite pyramid
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Valley Temple of the Bent Pyramid
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The Bent Pyramid, also known as the Southern Shining Pyramid, stands as a remarkable testament to ancient Egyptian architecture and engineering. Let me take you on a journey to explore this awe-inspiring monument:
Historical Marvel:
The Bent Pyramid is an ancient Egyptian pyramid located at the royal necropolis of Dahshur, approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of Cairo.
It was built under the Old Kingdom Pharaoh Sneferu around 2600 BCE.
Its name derives from the peculiar change in slope that gives it a bent appearance.
The pyramid rises from the desert at a 54-degree inclination, but the top section (above 47 meters or 154 feet) is built at the shallower angle of 43 degrees, lending the pyramid its distinctive shape.
Architectural Features:
Material: The Bent Pyramid is primarily made of limestone.
Dimensions:
Height: 104.71 meters (344 feet).
Base: Approximately 189.43 meters (621 feet) at the base.
Volume: A staggering 1,237,040 cubic meters (43,685,655 cubic feet).
Slope: The pyramid’s sides rise at an angle of 54°27’44" below the bend and 43°22’ above the bend.
Unique Characteristics: It is also unique among the approximately ninety pyramids found in Egypt because its original polished limestone outer casing remains largely intact.
Transitional Form:
Archaeologists now believe that the Bent Pyramid represents a transitional form between step-sided and smooth-sided pyramids.
It has been suggested that due to the steepness of the original angle of inclination, the structure may have begun to show signs of instability during construction, forcing the builders to adopt a shallower angle to avert collapse.
Interestingly, the adjacent Red Pyramid, built immediately afterward by the same pharaoh, was constructed at an angle of 43 degrees from its base, supporting this theory.
Change in Ideology:
Sneferu’s abandonment of the Meidum Pyramid and its Step Pyramid may have been due to a change in ideology.
The royal tomb was no longer considered merely a staircase to the stars; instead, it served as a symbol of the solar cult and the primeval mound from which all life sprang.
In summary, the Bent Pyramid stands as a testament to ancient ingenuity, a beacon of Egypt’s rich history, and a marvel that continues to captivate visitors from around the...
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🌍 – The Bent Pyramid (Dahshur, Egypt)
There I was… 🇪🇬 standing in the blistering Egyptian sun, squinting up at a structure so ancient, so perfectly imperfect, that time itself seemed to pause. Whether built by divine inspiration, alien engineers 👽, or the sheer genius of ancient architects, one thing’s for certain, you can't fully appreciate the Bent Pyramid until you stand before it.
TV doesn’t do it justice. No 4K drone footage, no History Channel special (even the ones with my man Giorgio Tsoukalos and his wild hair 💥👨🦱) can prepare you for the awe this place commands. You have to feel it to believe it.
The heat wraps around you like a heavy cloak 🔥, the dust kicks up stories older than civilization, and the silence out there in Dahshur? It’s not empty, it's sacred. 🙏
You inhale history with every breath. You feel the effort, the mystery, the sheer audacity it took to build something like this thousands of years ago, with precision that still baffles modern minds. The bend in the pyramid isn’t a flaw, it’s a signature. A clue. Maybe a lesson. Maybe a warning. Who knows? 🌀
🧱 The interior tunnels are narrow and humid, but the thrill of stepping into the core of an ancient monument? Indescribable. Your knees might ache, your back might protest—but your soul? Oh, your soul will thank you.
If you believe in ancient gods, or ancient aliens, or simply ancient greatness, this is your pilgrimage.
Don’t come expecting AC or a food court. Come for the moment. Come for the mystery. Come ready to be humbled. And for the love of Ra, bring water. 💧☀️
⭐ Verdict: 5 out of 5 stars, 10,000 out of 10 on the awe scale. 📸 Pro tip: snap your selfie, then put the phone away and just be present for a minute. You’ll never...
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How to get there?
Get a driver, usually hotels offer packs like a driver for a day (with or without guide) to do Saqqarah + Red Pyramid and/or Bent Pyramid + Memphis. If you are around Giza you'll most probably have a few drivers who will offer their services to go there, maybe cheaper than hotels, I haven't asked. Forget about taking a UBER or make sure to arrange him waiting otherwise you will have a hard time getting back to Cairo.
How much does it cost?
We paid 35USD for the driver only. Ticket prices (in Egyptian pounds): 180 for Saqqarah site (which includes the museum of Imhotep BUT not the degree pyramid, which is kind of the reason you go to Saqqarah in the first place) 100 for the degree pyramid of Saqqarah, which is a joke since you paid your entrance to Saqqarah (see picture) 60 for both the red and the bent pyramid, careful if you are not very fit this might be somewhat challenging (see picture I took of the entrance) 80 for the Memphis museum with the statue of Ramses II (see picture)
How long does it take?
We left at 10 from Giza and came back to Giza at around 15 or 16. We did not have lunch during that time.
Is it safe?
With a driver it is definetely ok. Again with a uber or any public transport I am not so sure. There are not many tourists at this period (Feb 2022) which feels somewhat strange.
Other comments
As a tourist you can have a bit of a feeling that you are harassed sometimes. Strong militery and police presence. The area surrounding Saqqarah is litterally covered with trash, especially close to rivers, this can be somewhat of a shock when your are...
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