Giza Plateau is part of the necropolis of ancient Memphis. Giza Necropolis consists of 11 pyramids for kings and queens of the 4th dynasty, the most famous and largest of them is the pyramid of King Khufu (Cheops).
The Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops); 2585-2560 B.C., is the largest of the three main pyramids in Giza Plateau. It is also known as the Great Pyramid. It is 137.2 meters in height. It is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Today, it is the only wonder remaining. After the French constructed of the Eiffel Tower in 1889, the pyramid of Khufu is no longer the tallest building in the world. For entry the Great pyramid, you will use the Mamoun entrance.
Khufu Pyramid is built of limestone and is considered an architectural masterpiece. The original height of the pyramid was 146.5m (488ft), but today it is only 137m (455ft) high. The 9m (33 ft.) that missed is due to theft of the good quality limestone cover or casing stones by the Ottoman in the 15th century A.D.
The Pyramid of Khafra [Chephren), 2555-2532 B.C.E. He is Khufu‘s son. It lies on the left of the Khufu Pyramid. It is 448 feet/136.5 meters in height. When you look at the plateau, you will think that the pyramid of Khafre is taller than the pyramid of Khufu, but this is because the pyramid of Khafre stands on a high plateau. The top of the pyramid still retains some of its original limestone casing stones.
It also has lost some of its original height through the years, once being 143.5m (471ft) tall. The only similarity to his father’s pyramid is the entrance on the same, north-facing side.
The burial chamber is underground. It measures 14.2m by 5m by 6.9m (46.5ft by 16.5ft by 22.5ft) and takes a gable shape to bear the weight of the pyramid. It houses a large black sarcophagus.
The Pyramid of Menkaure, Khafre’s son. He is the owner of the smallest pyramid of the 3 main pyramids on the Giza Plateau. This one was only 65.5m (215ft) tall, nowadays 62m (203ft).
The pyramid of Menkaure differs from the pyramids of Khufu and Khafre in the casing stones, as the other two pyramids are the stones of their cover of limestone, but the pyramid of Meknawr is the stones of its cover of limestone and pink granite coming from Aswan
The Great Sphinx, or as the ancient Egyptians knew it “Shesep Ankh” or “the living image”. It is considered the most recognizable construction in history. It faces the rising sun and was revered so much by the ancient Egyptians, that they built a temple in front of it.
In the 18th dynasty, King Thutmose IV, when he was a prince, went hunting and slept at the head of the Sphinx, and Thutmose dreamed that Ra-Hor-Akhty(the sun god), was talking to him through the Sphinx and ordered him to clear away the sand because it was choking the Sphinx , The Sphinx said to him that if he did that, he would become King of ancient Egypt. Thutmose obeyed him and after 2 years he became the King.And TuthmoseIV Placed a stele between its paws, This stele narrates that. Currently part of the royal uraeus and nose are missing, but there are parts of the beard in the Egyptian Museum and the British Museum.
you can visit Giza Plateau with Cairo Attractions in 5 Days
