Search
ABOUT Egypt
Travel Planner Tool
Tell us about yourself and we'll tell you what to do...
The open air-museum of Memphis:
Memphis was the oldest capital of ancient Egypt, the first one that was founded after the unification of upper and Lower Egypt
The city was founded in the first dynasty (3100 BC). It is located 20 KM to the south of Cairo, the founder of the city is king Narmar, Memphis served to be the capital of ancient Egypt during the time of the old kingdom. The name of Memphis is driven from the ancient Egyptian name given to the city, it was called Min-Nefer, and the Greeks called it Memphis, today is the location of a local village called Mit Rahina
The local god of Memphis was called god Petah, god of creation and workmen, he was worshiped with his wife goddess Sekhmet and their sun god Nefer-tom.
Nothing much remind from ancient Memphis, except some monuments from the new kingdom period and later period.
There you will see an open air museum exhibiting a limestone colossus of king Ramsis II (1305-1237 BC ) and I giant alabaster sphinx weighting more than 80 tons of weight, that once stood out side the massive temple of god Petah.
As well remains of granite statues of Ramsis II and granites coffins and commemorative tablets from later periods.
How to get there
Interesting tips
TIMES TO VISIT SITES
Ideally the best time to visit outside sites is during the forenoon, when the sun has not yet reached its zenith. Sadly though being ideal is not always possible, especially on a tight schedule, and so the following is a good idea for when sites should be seen Please note that only the sites which are referred to as “usual tourist sites” are included in this list. For advice on sites not given here, you should contact your tour agent.