The Great Pyramid of Giza — Attraction in Giza

2025/04 The Great Pyramid of Giza (Khufu’s Pyramid): A Monument to Immortality

The Great Pyramid of Giza, known as هرم خوفو (Pyramid of Khufu) in Arabic, is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids on the Giza Plateau. Built around 2560 BCE for Pharaoh Khufu of the Fourth Dynasty, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is the sole surviving wonder of the Ancient World and a testament to Egypt’s unmatched architectural ambition.

1. Historical & Architectural Marvel Scale: Originally 146.6 meters tall (now 138.8 meters due to erosion), it held the title of the world’s tallest human-made structure for over 3,800 years. Its base spans 230 meters, composed of 2.3 million limestone blocks weighing 2.5–15 tons each . Construction Mystery: Theories range from ramps to internal spiral systems, but the precise method remains debated. Recent discoveries, like a hidden corridor (2023), suggest unresolved secrets . Interior Design: Grand Gallery: A soaring 8.6-meter-high passage leading to the King’s Chamber, housing Khufu’s sarcophagus. Air Shafts: Narrow shafts aligned with Orion’s Belt and Sirius, possibly linking to stellar rebirth beliefs . Relentless Precision: The pyramid’s sides align almost perfectly with the cardinal directions (error

The Great Pyramid of Giza, also known as the Pyramid of Khufu or Cheops, was built around 2560 BCE as a royal tomb for Pharaoh Khufu of the Fourth Dynasty.

It is the largest of the three pyramids at Giza and the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It is also the only one still in existence.

The pyramid was originally 146.6 meters tall; today it stands at 138.8 meters due to the loss of the outer casing stones. Each side of its square base is about 230 meters long, and it covers an area of 5.3 hectares. The pyramid is made from approximately 2.3 million stone blocks. Most blocks weigh 2 to 5 tons, but some in the internal chambers weigh up to 80 tons.

Construction used local limestone for the core, white limestone from Tura for the smooth outer casing (which is now mostly missing), and granite from Aswan (800 km south) for the internal King's Chamber and relieving chambers. The stones were placed with extreme precision – in some areas the joints are so tight that a blade cannot fit between them.

A lime-based mortar was used between stones. This mortar is still being studied because it is stronger than the stones themselves. It helped hold the structure together for over 4,500 years.

The pyramid was likely built by tens of thousands of skilled workers and seasonal laborers (not slaves), many of whom worked during the annual Nile flood when farming was not possible. Evidence shows they lived in nearby workers’ villages and were well-fed.

The Great Pyramid is aligned almost perfectly to the four cardinal directions – north, south, east, and west. This indicates a high level of knowledge in astronomy and geometry. Despite its massive size, the structure is extremely stable due to its design and placement on solid bedrock.

Inside the pyramid, there are three known chambers: the King’s Chamber, the Queen’s Chamber, and an unfinished chamber below ground level. No hieroglyphs or decorations are found inside. The internal layout includes narrow ascending and descending passages and the Grand Gallery.

Interesting facts:

Oldest and only surviving Wonder of the Ancient World.

Held the record as the tallest man-made structure for 3,800 years.

The original casing made the pyramid shine brightly in sunlight.

The pyramid’s angle (51.5°) gives it great stability.

No tools or construction records were left behind.

Workers were buried nearby, indicating their respected role.

The pyramid’s volume is around 2.6 million cubic meters.

The granite blocks from Aswan were transported by boat along the Nile.

It contains hidden shafts and air channels whose purpose is still debated.

Many modern engineers still study how it was built with such precision.

The pyramid has survived thousands of years due to massive scale, dry desert climate, and being built on stable ground.

It predates ancient Rome by about 2000 years and was already ancient at the time of Jesus – older then than the Roman...

I have always wanted to see the pyramids. The pyramids are incredible and you don’t get the sheer size and architecture of the pyramids until you are standing in front of it. The entrance is not the intended or original entrance into the pyramid. With that said, going in, the first 15-20 feet is relatively easy. There is no fresh air in the pyramid and no air conditioning. Then you have a tunnel to hunch down and squat a little bit through. This tunnel was carved by the archaeologists so it is crude and not smooth out. If you are short, this is your moment to shine. This tunnel is made for you. Your level of hunching and squatting is going to be way easier than a taller fellow. The tunnel is barely wide enough for two people— one person each way. Sometimes, people coming through other direction don’t make room to pass. If you have a fear of tight spaces, this is not for you. People breathe heavily in here too because the air is stuffy and the exertion. You will be walking up in a hunch/squat position on a wood ramp as you go deeper into the pyramid for 20 yards or so. Then it will open up into an area where you can stand straight up and where you will climb up to steps on metal rungs and onto a platform to then go up a wooden ramp. If you go during the summer, expect it to be extremely hot and stuffy inside. I was in awe of the chamber and how symmetrical it looked. After going up the wooden ramp, you enter the chamber with the stone box (that would hold the sarcophagus). There is nothing to look at in the chamber but the stone box. Everything in the room has been pilfered and removed. The room is dark with one or two dim lights. There will be several machines that look like AC or fans but only one worked and barely worked when we were there. There will be a guy there that will offer to take pics with your phone for money. He doesn’t work there but he is one of many Egyptians that are around the tourist sites that will take your pic for pay or point to something and say one word in English and want money. The way back down is exactly the same way you came in. The next day and next day after that, my quads hurt from the semi squat. There is no shade at Giza. Egypt is making some improvements that will come to fruition soon. A new entry point will soon open so that you go through a winding road through the desert so so that you feel like you are going to a far away land to see the pyramids rather than seeing that the city has built up right next to the pyramids. They have also built new shopping and restaurant facilities in the area of the pyramids that should be open in the next year. Unpopular with locals in the area, the government will be tearing down the infamous Pizza Hut and other buildings near the pyramids to put more space between the city and the pyramids.

Pro tip: wear a slim air fan around your neck for air circulation and to keep you cooler inside but make sure to secure it around your neck because you...