Egypt reopens Khafre pyramid, six ancient tombs to visitors

Egypt's State Minister for Antiquities, Mohammad Ibrahim, announced on Thursday the opening of Khafre pyramid's inner tomb to visitors, along with six other ancient tombs dating back to the Old Kingdom.

"We are celebrating the opening of the second largest pyramid for visitors after the restoration that has been taken to prepare it," said the minister at a press conference near the Giza Necropolis.

The Giza Necropolis, also known as the Great Pyramids, is located 10 kilometers southwest of Egyptian capital Cairo and it includes three pyramid complexes, Khufu, Khafre and Menkaura.

Pyramid of Khufu is the oldest and largest one, and Khafre is the second largest.

Khafra who built the Khafre pyramid and sphinx, was an ancient Egyptian king of the fourth dynasty during the Old Kingdom.

The tombs were closed for three years for renovation, and the renovation works included repairing the inscriptions inside and paving the ways leading to them, as well as maintaining the ventilation system inside the pyramid.Besides the Pyramid of Khufu which is about 4,500 years old, five other tombs were opened in the necropolis west of the pyramid, including the tomb of Kah Am Ankh who was known to be in charge of the secrets of the kings' documents.

Meanwhile, in the necropolis east of the pyramid, the tomb of King Cheop's granddaughter Meresankh was opened. Meresankh tomb is believed to be the most beautiful tomb in the Haram monument area.

Egypt has started to open many of its cultural attractions since September 2012 to encourage more tourists in the coming tourist peak season to boost the economy.


AP