Overview:

The Great Sphinx of Giza is a giant limestone statue in Egypt that is thought to have been built around 2500 B.C. It has the head of a man and the body of a lion, and is considered to be one of the most recognizable monuments in the world. It is located just outside the Pyramid complex in Giza, and is believed to be a part of an ancient funerary complex dedicated to the Egyptian Pharaoh Khafra. The statue is nearly 240 feet long and 65 feet high and faces East towards the rising sun. Its identity has been debated for centuries, with many believing it to be a representation of the sun god Ra in its form as a sphinx. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Egypt
Prominent Features:

1. Measuring 73.5 meters (241 feet) in length and 20 meters (66 feet) in height, the Great Sphinx of Giza is the world’s largest monolith statue. 2. Believed to have been constructed during the reign of Pharaoh Khafre, the Great Sphinx of Giza is thought to represent the Pharaoh in the form of a lion. 3. The statue is carved out of a single piece of limestone bedrock and is primarily believed to have been built over a period of around 10 years. 4. The two colossal eyes of the Great Sphinx are 2 meters long each and are crafted from black granite. 5. To date, the Sphinx's nose is missing and the cause is widely believed to have been purposely detached, probably during the early sixteenth century. 6. The Great Sphinx of Giza is located in the Giza Necropolis just outside Cairo, located on the west bank of the Nile River. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Egypt.

History:

The Great Sphinx of Giza is an ancient limestone statue of a mythical creature, most likely a sphinx with the head of a man and body of a lion. It is located on the west bank of the Nile, just to the east of the pyramids of Giza in Egypt. The Great Sphinx is believed to have been constructed during the 4th dynasty of Pharaohs, which dates it to c. 2558 - 2532 BCE, nearly five thousand years ago! While not much is known for sure about the specific purpose of the structure, it is believed to have been a kind of guard or sentinel to protect the Giza plateau. The Sphinx is heavily eroded due to the passage of time, with much of its original form and features not recognizable. It is thought to be the oldest monumental sculpture in the world, with the image of the Sphinx having long been a part of Egyptian culture. Throughout the ages, the Sphinx has been featured prominently in mythology and art from various ancient civilizations, including the Greek, Roman, and Phoenician cultures. Over time, the Sphinx has become a popular symbol of power, mystery, and eternity. Today, the Great Sphinx of Giza is a widely visited and beloved attraction by tourists from around the world and is protected as a World Heritage Site. Visit one of the famous monuments of Egypt with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The Great Sphinx is the oldest and largest known monumental sculpture in the world, and is estimated to be over 4,500 years old. 2. The Great Sphinx is believed to have been built for the King Khafre of the 4th Dynasty. 3. The Great Sphinx stands at an impressive height of 73 ft (23 m) and is 241 ft (73 m) long. 4. The Great Sphinx is believed to represent a lion with a human head, and is thought to be a symbol of Egypt’s power and dominance in ancient times. 5. The original head of the Great Sphinx, believed to have been modeled on the likeness of King Khafre, was destroyed during Medieval times. In 1925, the Egyptian government decided to re-construct the head using stone found in the area. 6. It is believed that the nose of the Great Sphinx was destroyed by a cannon ball fired by Napoleon’s army in 1798. 7. In 1960, excavations at the site of the Great Sphinx revealed the existence of two small tombs beneath the structure, in which were found wooden statues and mummified cats. One of the historical monuments of Egypt, it tells the story of a bygone era