Pyramids (Memphis)
 Photo provided by Philipp Peterer |
Memphis was the capital of the Old Kingdom of Egypt, from its foundation (ca. 3100 BC) until 2200 BC. The ruins of Memphis are 19 km south of Cairo, on the west bank of the Nile. There are some extraordinary funerary monuments, including rock tombs, ornate mastabas, temples and pyramids.
Giza is a complex of ancient monuments including the three pyramid complexes known as the Great Pyramids, the massive sculpture known as the Great Sphinx, several cemeteries, a workers' village and an industrial complex. It is located ca. 25km southwest of Cairo center.
Dahshur is a royal necropolis located in the desert on the west bank of the Nile approximately 40 kilometres south of Cairo. It is known chiefly for several pyramids, two of which are among the oldest, largest and best preserved in Egypt: the Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid.
| Year | Decision | Comments |
| 1979 | Inscribed | Reasons for inscription |
Reviews
Jaz (USA):
Yes, people "still" climb the Giza pyramid relative to the 30 years ago story posted. My two brothers, Jeremy and Jonas, and I climbed to the top of the Pyramid in May of 2000 (on an around the world trip with our mother and grandmother). We visited the site during the day and after the official closing asked our cash-paid "guide" if it was possible to climb to the top. He quickly responded with a "No! It is not possible." We had taken a picture of the three of us standing on the bottom level of the pyramid earlier in the afternoon and quickly had armed guards blowing whistles, waving their machine guns, and telling us to get off the pyramid. We continued to ask our guide about climbing the pyramid and he changed his answer to, "it is possible, but very expensive." We showed our desired to climb to the top but included that our funds were very limited. The price started at $500 per person for the climb. After a bit of negotiating, the price ended up at $50 each. The guide introduced us to a uniformed and armed guard that would meet us at the street in front of our hotel shortly before sunset that evening (our hotel was walking distance to the Pyramids - it is not in the middle of the desert as it would appear in the movies). We decided to have just $50 each and our IDs in our pockets, with no watches, credit cards, etc. We had extra money hidden in our shoes, just in case we needed it. Jonas brought a hat knowing he would likely have to give it away (he was right). I brought a no-flash film camera to document the adventure (not much digital in 2000). I had a friend, John, that joined for the Egypt portion of the trip but was not willing to join for the climb. The guard was waiting for us at the time we agreed upon and was unarmed, as far as we could tell, and in normal clothes (non-uniform). He told us to walk right behind him and not stop no matter what happened or who told us to stop. Sure enough, as we were walking through a village that looked like it was several hundreds of years old (something out of the movies with goats, and all), several people approached us and it looked like they were telling us to turn around and not go that way. We did not understand the words, but just kept going as our contact recommended. We walked up a trail that passed some small cave entrances. I would like to check them out again on a future visit. We walked around the smaller pyramids that are near the base of the Giza pyramid in a "cloak & dagger" style from the movies, as well. An armed guard would walk by in-between the small pyramids and we would walk behind him and wait in the next spot. I took a picture to document. We would motion to the guard that we didn't want to go, yet, and he would motion for us to follow him NOW. We ended up in a shack to the East side of the Giza pyramid. In the shack, they told us to wait, not make ANY noises and to not answer the door. Then, they locked us in the room... It was hot and there were thousands of mosquitoes hovering overhead. We could hear a loud "buzzing" from all the mosquitoes. And, we constantly wiped our arms and face to keep the mosquitoes from biting our open skin. After waiting a long time, we heard a banging at the door as someone was trying to open it. But, they didn't have the key. This happened more than once with words said that we didn't understand. Then, we hear keys... We were worried that it was someone coming to get us, but it was our guide and guard telling us to move fast out of the room. We proceeded to the north side of the hut to a concrete stairwell that went down to a locked door. They told us to wait there and not make any noise. This felt even worse than inside the locked room, as we would be like "shooting fish in a barrel" if someone tried to get us. We heard some more commotion in the hut, likely showing that there was nobody inside... Then, they moved us back into the hut and said we would wait there until dark. I took another picture out the window of the hut. A while later, the guard and guide came back and explained the rules of nothing reflective, nothing that will flash, no lighters, etc., as we could be seen on the pyramid. They made us promise that if we were caught, that we would say we did it on our own and without any help. Say said that they had families and would get into major trouble. We all promised. They asked us how much time we needed up there and we said only enough time to climb up and down (we didn't really know there was an option for more time, otherwise, we may have asked for it). They took us out of the hut and walked towards the Giza pyramid. This time of night, they light up the pyramid with stadium-style lights that are mounted on the ground and light up an entire side of the pyramid at a time. From the city it looks like the pyramid comes and goes. We were walking in front of (not our idea) one of the large collection of lights when it turned on. We quickly ran backwards and behind the lights. They explained we should climb up the corner and stay in the shadows as the pyramid was lit up from the incredible lights on the ground. If we got caught in the light, we should remain still until the light turned out and then keep climbing. I have read accounts of people climbing the pyramids from the 1800's and I must say it wasn't that big of a challenge. Yes, the first several stones were shoulder high, but they slowly got smaller. So, at first, it was like getting yourself up onto a large wall, many times in a row. After you are about half way up, the blocks were more like stomach-level high and much easier to climb. I have also read the pyramid is the height of a 48 story building, which I believe. We took a few pictures along the way up with the other pyramids lit up in the background. Once we made it to the top, we saw there was a laser light show on the Sphinx and on the Giza pyramid. I stood at the top of the pyramid with my hands extended into the air. What an amazing life-moment. On our way back down, we were talking about being at the top and Jeremy mentioned he did not stand and the top with his hands up, so he went back up to do it... As we were climbing down, we saw more than one security patrol vehicle drive by. One stopped and then started again, but it was too dark on the ground to tell if a security guard had gotten out. So, we continued down. When we made it to the bottom, our guard and guide whisked us back to the hut. There, they collected the $50 each and told us that they needed more money. We said that it was all we had, but offered up the hat... They wanted more money, but seemed relatively OK with it. As we were quickly leaving from the hut back to the "cloak & dagger" path, an armed guard came running towards us with his handgun drawn. Our guard smacked the handgun to the side (not out of the other guy's hand) and started to yell at him and point behind us. After more yelling, our guard reached into his pocket and gave some of our money to the armed guard. The armed guard continued running with his gun drawn. We were stopped one more time and the guard had to pay another person near the caves we had passed on the way up (no guns this time). Once we made it back to the streets, we felt freedom again and had the guard take a picture of the three of us under a streetlight. Once we were back in the hotel, we could hardly believe what we had just experienced. I decided to wait until we arrived in France to develop the pictures, just in case. Interestingly, none of the photos after stepping onto the pyramid turned out. So, the last photo that showed up was from within the hut. I have heard theories that the pyramid emits energy and that is why the top is no longer on it. But, I guess we will never know. That is all for now! Date posted: January 2010 stewart ayu (canada):
I stayed at a budget hotel from which one could see the giza pyramids. Then I hopped on a taxi to make the obligatory stop to see them in person. I took the stairs up into the pyramid though it was not that impressive. The pyramids are best seen at sunrise or sunset. The sun plays tricks with the pyramids in the foreground. There was a brilliant silhouette where the pyramid looked black and it's edges lit up by the sinking sun chariot. The sphinx was nearby and camel rides were available for tourists. there was a small golf course closeby as well. Date posted: June 2009 Stephen Brooker ():
Some people have told me they found the Pyramids disappointing, but on both my visits I have come away highly impressed.
I think the problem is that, the media always stress the shear physical size of the pyramids, if you imagine them smaller than reality then they impress, but if you imagine them larger then you will be disappointed.
That said despite the crowds, It is incredible to visit something that people have travelled specifically to see for the last 4500 years! Date posted: September 2008 ():
Seeing the pyrimads was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen I am a archaeological professor and even this was great for me!!!!!!!! Brad Hanning (australia):
The one time I visited the pyramids was purely by coincidence when my flight encountered an emergency and was forced to land in Cairo. The next plane flying to the UK wasn't until the following day so my wife and I decided that it would be an excellent opportunity to visit the pyramids. we signed up on an afternoon - late evening tour. (tip: the evening tours cost more than the middady ones - but i have to say seeing the pyramids at sunset is more spectacular).
Some people may believe there’s no real point in wasting your money on visiting a site set in the sweltering barren desert that’s full of monuments made from blocks of solid rock shaping upwards to form a pyramid – filled with the dead bodies of kings and their queens. But despite this, crowds swarmed around Giza; tourists pressed close to try and touch the pyramids base. As we found, some cheeky tourists like to try and bend the rules, dodge the tough security and try to climb up the jaged suface of the highest pyramids. Though it was quite amusing some of then can cause a bit of a riot and got in a bit of a disagreement with the police.
My wife didn't fancy going inside the pyramid (and to be truthful, neither did i) as she didn't like the idea of crouching through the chambrs and tunnels - especially as it was nearing dark.
As the sun set the pyramids became dark silloetes against the blazing sky of pink and red and orange. it really was spectacular. As other people on this website have commented - amazing. in one word Amazing.
i would definetly take up any chance to go there again and i think, so would my wife. Ingemar Eriksson (Sweden):
I visited Giza and Saqqara. Combined with Egyptian museum, I think it gave me a good overlook about the older Egyptian culture. Great art and building technologies. Amazing is one word.
The security seems good today with enormous fences around Giza but none in Saqquara. The Camel-riding polices are fun for tourists but should probably not be challenged as the policemen are armed.
This security can not stop the really annoying vendors from being inside the area. They start with an offer they say is a gift but if you accept it, you have to pay anyhow. Bring small notes and negotiate hard. If you accept a price 50, pay 100 and expect 50 back, you probably will end up with some more stuff they say is worth 50. They really never give any money back.
Giza pyramides are robbed of thier splendour for building mosques and could have been even more amazing but the surface stone are now in the Cairo morques. (One world heritage built out of stone from another?)
Saqquara has a lot of beautiful art but you has to accept some adventures to reach it.
Combined, the pyramid fields are an amazing place to visit. Our guide said there are 50 pyramides in a distance of 100 km from Giza. Date posted: June 2006 Christer Sundberg (Sweden): 
Being a World Heritage site-tourist, visiting the pyramids of Giza and Dashshur for the first time in your life, is of course a very special experience. At least when you dream, think and plan ahead for it! But the realities of life can sometimes surprise you and maybe even spice things up a bit. After having spent a day in Cairo I hired myself a taxi-driver for a day. One of those thousands of black-and-white, worn down Peugeots that runs up and down the streets of Cairo each day. My driver Abu, a true Egyptian, proved to be quite a character and after having stopped for a couple of times on our way to Giza talking to his friends, he gave me a thorough (and very useful) instruction in how to fend of the camel- horse and souvenir hustlers, that despite the presence of the tourist police, constantly annoys the tourists.
So don’t for a second think you can wonder around the pyramids and the sphinx, peacefully dreaming about the pharaohs and life in by-gone eras. But if you constantly shout “La, Shokram (no thanks in Arabic), or even stronger expressions in English, you might stand a chance. At Dashshur, the situation was quite the opposite and my visit surprisingly peaceful.
But despite the downsides, the pyramids are still one of the most impressing sites I’ve ever visited during my World Heritage travels and for sure a number one place to visit for all people, whether you are interested in history or not. Date posted: February 2006 Klaus Freisinger (Austria):
The Pyramids are by far Egypt´s best known attraction and one of the top tourist sights in the world, and as such worthy of visiting once in a lifetime. I don´t think they are the best Egypt has to offer - that would be Luxor and Thebes, Abu Simbel, and the Egyptian Museum -, but still you can´t go to Egypt and seriously say you haven´t seen the Pyramids. Why then did you go there in the first place?
Anyway, they are very impressive, and wandering at their bases (you can go inside, but apart from crawling through a long, dirty tunnel there is nothing to see or do since grave robbers were there before you) and also seeing the wonderful Sphinx is definitely a great experience. Date posted: July 2005 Ben Pastore (USA):
What can I say that hasn't been said by someone else before me? These massive setinels of human history have earned their spot on the World Heritage List if only for the fact that they've survived this long. While not nearly as ornate as many Egyptian tombs, these are the granddaddy's of them all and I'd venture a guess that they're among the most recognizable icons on the planet Date posted: June 2005 Paul Tanner (UK): 
The Pyramids –Then and Now!
The growth in leisure travel over the last half century threatens to overwhelm many of the most famous WHS sites such as the Pyramids. With the continuing growth in travel, and all those millions in developing countries who will soon join the throng, I sometimes wonder whether, in 50 years or so, we will each take part in lotteries to be allocated our ticket for our “once in a lifetime visit” to eg the Pyramids (similar to what happens now to see the Bears at Churchill Falls in Alaska!!). It is an unfortunate fact that, whilst the numbers seeing the great sights of the world increase inexorably, the conditions under which they see them and the restrictions they face also become more limited and onerous. The ability “to do your own thing in your own way” is sacrificed in the name of “crowd management”
My first visit to the pyramids was in 1975. In those days it was a fairly relaxed place. Although there were ticket offices, entry through the “back door” of the nearby Mena suburbs was perfectly possible- security had not been strengthened in face of the threat of terrorism. The possibility of a massacre as at Queen Hashepsut’s tomb in 1997 had not been considered
So, it seemed perfectly natural at the time to consider whether we should attempt to climb to the top “for a better view”!! Reports from Victorian/Edwardian and “between-the-wars” upper class visitors often seemed to include such a climb even by “Ladies” in long skirts! Various local guides offered, in whispered tones, to take us to the top including allowing us to sleep there to see the sunrise if we wished.
I was already somewhat cynical about “magnificent sunrises” – a view which has been reinforced over another 30 years of travel, since they rarely seem to live up to their billing – but the idea of going to the top seemed intriguing! Early the next morning we had taken the bus out from the city centre and were surveying which corner was likely to provide the easiest ascent. True there were signs stating “Do not climb the Pyramids” but these seemed to lack a certain seriousness as evidenced by their rustiness and drunken angles. Perhaps also by the obvious trails among the stones one could see above!
We chose a corner, no one was around to stop us and we set out for the top! It soon seemed slightly less of a good idea as the enormity of the height of the pyramids and the exposed nature of the climb became more obvious. What seemed like solid blocks from the bottom were in fact covered by loose grit and sand. Some of the “lifts” between steps were also well above what could easily be taken in stride. But, having started, one could not give up part way! It was with a degree of relief therefore that we reached the top. We were not alone – a couple were already there who had indeed spent the night and seen the dawn.
The stones on the highest level were worn smooth with the feet of countless earlier visitors – many of whom had scratched their initials on them going back to the 19th century(we desisted!). The view was indeed wonderful and provided a completely different “take” on the site from those at ground level. The true size of the pyramids was brought home to us as we watched the ant-like people below (Who by this time included some policemen who were well aware of our presence up above!). Eventually the time to descend came – going down was, if anything more fraught than going up. As we reached the base a few policemen gathered and we split up. At the bottom itself a half hearted chase took place and my companion was caught. A lecture “not to do it again” followed and we later met up none the worse!
30 years later I am glad we did it and the photos remain to remind me of another travel adventure! Perhaps it was “irresponsible” and a little bit dangerous and “what if everyone tried to do it?”. So I wouldn’t incite anyone to try it today but, I wonder, do people still climb the Pyramid?
Have you been to Memphis and its Necropolis - the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur? Share your experiences!
In the News
» Mysterious markings discovered at Great Pyramid of Giza (04-06-2011).
» Egypt's famous Giza Pyramids are being given a £14m ($27m) makeover, starting with a state-of-the art security fence to stop hawkers harassing tourists. (13-08-2008).
Links
» A History of Archaeology and Excavation at Saqqara.
» Sacred Sites.
» Traveladventures.
Country: Egypt
Inscribed: 1979
Cultural Heritage
Criteria: (1) (3) (6)
Category: Archaeological site, Egyptian Secular structure, Burial
Architecture:
Restored by anastylosis .
Constructions:
Boats . Mausolea . Necropolises . Pyramids . Sphinx .
Damaged:
"Threatened" by Roads . Iconoclasm .
Geography:
Nile . River deltas .
History:
Assyrian Empire . Bronze Age . Specified on Herodotus' Oikumene .
Human Activity:
Historical Graffiti . Mummies .
Individual People:
Alexander the Great . Erich von Däniken . Gertrude Bell . Giovanni Belzoni . King Chulalongkorn of Siam (Rama V) . Napoleon was here . Painted by JMW Turner .
Religion and Belief:
Mentioned in the Bible .
Timeline:
Built in the 3rd Millennium BC .
Trivia:
Former Largest Cities . James Bond in books . Located in a Former Capital . On Banknotes . Once the tallest freestanding structure in the World . One million visitors or more . Preservation assisted by Getty Trust . Replicas in Las Vegas . Sound and Light Show . Tobu World Square .
WHS on Other Lists:
New Seven Wonders of the World . Seven Wonders of the World .
World Heritage Process:
Already inscribed, still on T List . WHC locations .
© WHS 1997-2012