Memphis Open-Air Museum (Mit Rahina) Cairo
Step back in time at the Memphis Open-Air Museum, home to the colossal statue of Ramses II and remnants of Egypt's ancient capital.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
Avoid midday heat
Memphis Open-Air Museum (Mit Rahina) Cairo
Best Time
Avoid midday heat
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Step back in time at the Memphis Open-Air Museum, home to the colossal statue of Ramses II and remnants of Egypt's ancient capital.
"The main highlight is the massive fallen statue of Ramesses II—it’s seriously huge and really impressive up close."
🎯 Focus on the Main Attraction
The colossal statue of Ramses II is the highlight. Other artifacts are scattered, so prioritize your time.
⏱️ Quick Visit Expected
Most visitors spend less than an hour here. It's a great stop when combined with other nearby sites.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Colossal Statue of Ramses II
Main hall
An immense, fallen limestone statue of Ramses the Great, offering an up-close encounter with ancient Egyptian grandeur.
Scattered Sculptures
Museum grounds
Various other statues and artifacts are spread across the garden, providing glimpses into Memphis's past glory.
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Focus on the Colossus
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Insider Tips
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🎯 Focus on the Main Attraction
The colossal statue of Ramses II is the highlight. Other artifacts are scattered, so prioritize your time.
⏱️ Quick Visit Expected
Most visitors spend less than an hour here. It's a great stop when combined with other nearby sites.
💰 Affordable Entry
The ticket price is quite reasonable, making it an accessible stop for most travelers.
🚗 Location Convenience
Located about 30-40 minutes from the Giza plateau, making it easy to visit alongside other attractions.
A limestone colossus of King Ramesses II at the Open Air Museum in Memphis (modern-day Mit Rahina), 20 kilometers south of Giza. This statue is about 10 meters long and lying on its back because the base and feet are broken off. Reign: 1279-1213 BC. Photo: Victor Block
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Focus on the Main Attraction
The colossal statue of Ramses II is the highlight. Other artifacts are scattered, so prioritize your time.
⏱️ Quick Visit Expected
Most visitors spend less than an hour here. It's a great stop when combined with other nearby sites.
💰 Affordable Entry
The ticket price is quite reasonable, making it an accessible stop for most travelers.
🚗 Location Convenience
Located about 30-40 minutes from the Giza plateau, making it easy to visit alongside other attractions.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors find the Memphis Open-Air Museum to be a small but worthwhile stop, primarily for the impressive colossal statue of Ramses II. While some note the limited number of artifacts, its affordability and proximity to other major sites make it a convenient addition to an itinerary.
"Visiting the Memphis Museum is like exploring an open-air museum, with its most captivating feature being the colossal statue of Ramses II, carved with lifelike detail. Following the guide signs, a close look at the statue’s crown, wrists, and belt reveals even more exquisitely intricate craftsmanship."
詹頤
"Not a lot of things to see honestly but the colossus of Ramses II is impressive. It’s a shame the ancient capital of Egypt doesn’t have a more museum dedicated to it but at least it’s cheap, easily walkable and doesn’t take much time to cover."
Saikhnaa
"small but super cool open-air museum near the ancient site of Memphis. The main highlight is the massive fallen statue of Ramesses II—it’s seriously huge and really impressive up close. There’s also other statues scattered around the garden area. It’s not a big place, so you won’t need hours to explore, but it gives you a great glimpse into Egypt’s ancient capital."
Marwan
What People Like
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Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Memphis Open-Air Museum (Mit Rahina) is located about 20 kilometers south of Giza. You can hire a taxi or arrange for a private car from Cairo or Giza. Many tours that visit Saqqara and Dahshur also include a stop here.
It's approximately a 30-40 minute drive from the Giza plateau, making it a convenient addition to a day exploring the pyramids and surrounding ancient sites.
Public transport options are limited and can be time-consuming. Hiring a taxi or using a ride-sharing service is generally more efficient for reaching this site.
It's often visited in conjunction with Saqqara and Dahshur, as they are geographically close. Many Egyptologists and tour guides recommend this combination.
The museum is situated on the site of ancient Memphis, the former capital of Egypt. It's located near the modern village of Mit Rahina.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
The ticket price is quite affordable, reportedly around 200 EGP, making it an economical stop for visitors.
While specific hours can vary, it's generally open during daylight hours, aligning with typical museum and archaeological site schedules in Egypt. It's best to check locally or with your tour operator.
Advance booking is usually not necessary for the Memphis Open-Air Museum. Tickets can typically be purchased at the entrance.
While not always explicitly advertised, hiring a local guide at the site or having one as part of a larger tour can enhance your understanding of the artifacts.
Photography is generally allowed within the open-air museum. However, it's always good practice to be respectful and avoid flash photography directly on delicate artifacts if any are indoors.
🎫 🏛️ Onsite Experience
The undisputed highlight is the colossal, fallen statue of Ramses II, a massive limestone sculpture that is incredibly impressive up close. +1
Most visitors find that 30 minutes to an hour is sufficient to see the main attractions, especially the Ramses II statue.
The museum grounds feature other scattered statues and remnants from ancient Memphis, offering a broader glimpse into the city's past.
Reviews suggest it's a small site with artifacts scattered around. While the main statue is impressive, the overall presentation might be less curated than larger museums.
Memphis was one of the oldest and most important capitals of ancient Egypt, founded around 3100 BC. It was a major religious and administrative center for centuries.
📸 📸 Photography
The colossal statue of Ramses II offers dramatic photo opportunities, especially from different angles. Capturing its sheer scale is key.
Try to capture the statue from its base to its head to convey its immense size. The surrounding open space allows for wide shots.
Focus on the details of the statues, like the intricate carvings on the Ramses II statue's crown or wrists. The scattered artifacts also offer unique compositions.
Achieving a black background typically requires specific lighting and editing techniques, as the museum is an open-air site.
Early morning or late afternoon light can create interesting shadows and highlight the textures of the stone, enhancing photographic appeal.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Consider combining this visit with the nearby Saqqara, which features the Step Pyramid and tombs, or the Giza plateau. This allows for a more comprehensive ancient Egyptian experience without making the day too long or demanding for kids. The affordability of the entrance fee also makes it a budget-friendly addition to a family itinerary.
🏛️ History Buffs & Archaeology Enthusiasts
Visiting Memphis allows you to stand on the very ground where ancient rulers made decisions that shaped Egypt. It's a chance to appreciate the remnants of a city that was once the heart of a powerful empire. Combine this with visits to Saqqara and Dahshur for a deeper dive into the region's rich archaeological landscape.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Colossal Statue of Ramses II
Visitors are often struck by the sheer scale of the statue. Despite being broken from its base and feet, its detailed carving, visible in the crown, wrists, and belt, still conveys a sense of power and majesty.
This single monument offers a powerful connection to one of Egypt's most famous pharaohs, Ramses the Great, who reigned for an impressive sixty-eight years.
Ancient Memphis: A Lost Capital
During its peak, Memphis was a sprawling metropolis, home to magnificent temples, palaces, and a vibrant population. It was particularly renowned for its worship of the god Ptah, who was considered the creator deity. The city's influence waned with the rise of other capitals like Thebes and later Alexandria, but its historical significance as the first unified capital of Egypt remains profound.
While much of the ancient city has been lost to time and the elements, the artifacts found at the Memphis Open-Air Museum, particularly the colossal statue of Ramses II, offer tangible links to this once-great civilization. The site serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy of ancient Egypt and the importance of Memphis in shaping its history.
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