Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure. This triumvirate has stood still for what seems to be since time immemorial on the Giza Necropolis a few kilometers outside present-day Cairo. Still as magnificent and mysterious as when they were first built some 4,500 years ago, they are a sight to behold. The largest one, Khufu (Cheops), built in 2560 BC stands at 146 meters tall and was for some 3,500 years the tallest structure on earth. The second one, Khafre (Chephren) is smaller at 136 meters but looks taller because it is slightly elevated and has part of its smooth casing still intact at the tip. The more modest one in size, Menkaure (Mykerinos), completes the whole pyramid complex with the Great Sphinx located a few hundred meters away. It is a vast place to explore and we spent the whole afternoon walking around in wonderment until the guards shooed as away at 5:00 PM when they were closing so I was unable to shoot them when they turn golden brown in the sunset. It’s amazing that of all the Seven Wonders of the ancient world only these pyramids survive.
It’s been over 20 years since I visited yet seeing photos like these wax me nostalgic. It was my lifelong dream to see (and enter) the pyramids of Egypt. I admit I was surprised to find them so close to the metropolis.
Yes, the photos you mostly see are a bit skewed because they are taken so far away in the open desert that you think the pyramids are isolated in the middle of nowhere. 🙂