The Great Pyramids

You don’t go to Egypt without seeing the pyramids.  In fact they are part of Cairo's skyline, located just 6 miles from the city center, on the west bank of the Nile River is where the Giza Plateau is located.


The Pyramids of Giza are also referred to as the Giza Necropolis because they were built as tombs for kings (and queens) who reigned from around 2613–2494 BC. known as the Fourth Dynasty,  While the most famous pyramids in Egypt are the three largest ones, the Giza Plateau is actually the home to a total of nine pyramids


The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest and by far the biggest, tallest, and most intact pyramid in Egypt. It is the final resting place of king Khufu (Cheops), and took approx. 20 years to build. It is built entirely of limestone and is considered an architectural masterpiece, containing approx. 2.3 million blocks ranging in weight from 2.5 tons to 15 tons.  The original height of the pyramid was 488ft.


In case you are wondering, that means that one block would have had to be laid every 5 minutes of every hour, 24 hours a day for 20 years.   In addition to the unimaginable amount of work involved, it is fascinating to learn that the construction of the pyramids was so advanced that even with modern 21st century technology, human race has not managed to replicate the Great Pyramid of Khufu with such precision, and highly advanced mathematical, geological and astronomical science.


For this reason, it is safe to say that unlike popular belief that the pyramids of Giza were not built by slaves, but rather highly skilled masons, engineers, architects, surveyors, and other craftsmen.

If you would like to travel to Cairo to see the pyramids for yourself, please contact me at 703-927-0588 or lene@perfectlyplannedjourneys.com
​