Egypt
5 Museums You Must Visit in Egypt
By Yara ELhemely
Egypt, as a country with over 7000 years of civilization, undoubtedly has a good number of museums to suit all tastes. Every region of Egypt has a museum dedicated to a different aspect of Egyptian history, civilization, and culture. For this reason, Egypt’s museums are so diverse in terms of size, means of displaying monuments, and types of monuments displayed. It is safe to say that every single museum in Egypt is worth a visit.
The following are some of the most important museums to visit in order to comprehend Egypt’s vast history:
1. The Nubian Museum
Let us travel to Upper Egypt, the center of monuments and the birthplace of civilization. There are several museums in this area that are worth seeing. Among them is the Nubian Museum in Aswan, which exhibits a culture and history dating back to Ancient Egypt. In this museum, you can learn about Nubia’s distinct culture, from its beginnings to the construction of the Aswan High Dam in 1960, passing through the pharaonic era and the introduction of Christianity and Islam to Egypt.
2. Karnak Museum
Moving north, the Karnak Museum can be found in Luxor, the city that contains one-third of the world’s ancient monuments. This open-air museum, housed in the Karnak Temple, contains some outstanding monuments, including the Red Chapel of Hatshepsut and other pharaonic chapels and shrines. Because it is the world’s largest open-air archaeological museum, this is an excellent place to immerse yourself in Egyptian history.
3. Luxor Museum of Ancient Egyptian Art
The Luxor Museum of Ancient Egyptian Art is only a 10-minute drive away from the Karnak Museum. Although there aren’t many items on display in this museum, the way the antiques are displayed is mind-boggling. In other words, this museum prioritizes quality over quantity. This museum, which is located in the heart of Luxor and overlooks the Nile River, is regarded as one of the top Luxor tourist attractions.
4. The National Museum of Alexandria
The National Museum of Alexandria is located in Egypt’s northernmost region, in the ancient Mediterranean city of Alexandria. In this museum, you can travel through Egypt’s Pharaonic, Greek, Roman, Coptic, Islamic, and modern eras all at once. Another intriguing feature of this museum is a section dedicated to underwater monuments, some of which can still be found in the Mediterranean Sea near Alexandria.
5. The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization
Last but not least, the different, one-of-a-kind, and special National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in old Cairo is more than just another museum in Egypt. This museum covers a variety of eras and civilizations that have made significant contributions to Egypt’s rich history. Furthermore, the Egyptian Museum mummies have been relocated and are now displayed in a completely different manner in terms of lighting, decorations, and so on. The museum is also technologically advanced, with QR codes and videos displayed to provide easy access to information about the displayed items. For these reasons, this cultural center should not be overlooked.
