Of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, only one still stands: the Great Pyramid of Giza. Built roughly 4,500 years ago as the tomb of Pharaoh Khufu, it remained the tallest man-made structure on Earth for nearly 3,800 years — a record unmatched until medieval cathedral spires finally surpassed it in the 14th century.
The Three Pyramids
The Great Pyramid (Khufu) — originally 146.6 meters tall, built from over 2.3 million limestone blocks, each weighing an average of 2.5 tons. Ancient Egyptians believed the pyramid’s precise form and orientation helped guide the pharaoh’s soul toward eternal life alongside the gods.
The Pyramid of Khafre — Khufu’s son, and builder of the second-largest pyramid at Giza, still retains patches of its original polished limestone casing near its peak, offering a glimpse of how brilliantly white and smooth all three pyramids once appeared.
The Pyramid of Menkaure — the smallest of the three, but no less significant, believed to have been built for Khafre’s son.
The Great Sphinx
Guarding the plateau, reached on foot through the ruins of the Valley Temple, sits the Great Sphinx — a colossal limestone statue with the body of a lion and the face believed to represent Khafre himself. Carved from a single mass of bedrock, the Sphinx has watched over Giza for millennia, its origins and exact purpose still debated by historians and archaeologists today.
Visiting the Pyramids
Arriving early in the morning is highly recommended, both to avoid the heat and the largest crowds. Beyond viewing the pyramids from outside, visitors can enter the interior chambers of the Great Pyramid (for an additional ticket), explore the Solar Boat Museum housing an ancient reconstructed vessel, and take in sweeping panoramic views from a designated viewpoint overlooking all three pyramids together.
