Overview:

The Bent Pyramid is an ancient Egyptian pyramid located at the royal necropolis of Dahshur, approximately 40 kilometres (25 mi) south of Cairo. It is one of the most famous pyramids in Egypt. Originally known as the South Pyramid, it was built under the rule of Pharaoh Sneferu (c. 2613–2589 BC), the founder of the Fourth Dynasty. The Bent Pyramid is the first and only pyramid to use two angles of inclination; its lower section has a 54-degree angle of inclination while its upper section has a 43-degree angle. Its shape is one of the unique features making it stand out among other Egyptian pyramids; hence its nickname, the Bent Pyramid. The bent appearance is due to the fact that the pyramid shifts between the two angles midway up its height. The pyramid's outer limestone casing is now largely gone, but two distinct tiers remain, which give this pyramid its distinctive shape. It has a total original height of 101 meters (331 feet). The interior of the Bent Pyramid consists of three burial chambers, descending corridors and an ascending passageway. This pyramid is believed to have been built as a tomb for the Pharaoh. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Egypt
Prominent Features:

1. Bent shape: The Bent Pyramid at Dahshur is unique due to its unusual shape. Its bottom portion is built at an angle of 54°30', while the top portion of the pyramid is constructed at a shallower angle of 43°30'. This gives the pyramid a very distinct bent silhouette, something which can be seen from miles away. 2. Unique architecture: The Bent Pyramid has a unique design. The sides of the pyramid are flattened at a shallower angle compared to the base, creating the distinctive bent profile. Additionally, it has two entrances, one at the base on the north side and the other at the 17th course. 3. Stone structures: The Bent Pyramid at Dahshur is built with limestone, which was quarried from the nearby Mokattam hills. This material was put together in large stones, laid in horizontal courses which were then covered with a mud plaster called "casing stone." 4. Ornate entrance: The entrance of the Bent Pyramid is decorated with reliefs of the king’s cartouches and religious symbols. This is a very rare feature in Egyptian pyramid architecture. 5. Tomb chamber: The pyramid of Pharaoh Snefru contains a burial chamber, which is split into two, with one at the base and the other at the top. Two corridors lead to the burial chambers, and they contain small faux-doors, which scholar believe were built to ward off tomb robbers. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Egypt.

History:

The Bent Pyramid of Egypt is located at the royal necropolis of Dahshur, about 40 km south of Cairo. It was built during the middle of Egypt’s Old Kingdom period, c. 2613–2589 BCE, by the Pharaoh Snefru. The Bent Pyramid is considered one of the most remarkable technical achievements of its time because of how it was able to transition from a 52-degree-angle base to a 43-degree-angle at two-thirds of the height. This was an unprecedented innovation during the Old Kingdom period. It is believed that the Bent Pyramid was the first example of which a building changed its angle of inclination two-thirds up its height. By doing so, it was possible to prevent the collapsed structure that would have been a result of having a straight angle to the top. This architectural solution was used in several other subsequent royal constructions. The Bent Pyramid is also famous for the unique internal structure, which was designed to further prevent collapse. This internal structure consists of a series of six small rooms, arranged in three stories, with a main chamber at the center of the pyramid. The pyramid's entrance was originally located on its north side, at the base of the steeper angle, and lead down a long, tight passage way. This passage continues downward to an antechamber, located at the bottom of the steeper angle and the beginning of the gentler angle. From then on, there are two further antechambers and underground granite-lined corridors, which connect to the innermost chamber at the very center of the pyramid. Archaeologists are not completely sure why the structure of the Bent Pyramid was designed as such, as there are no known tombs or burial signs that remain inside. Some hypothesize that the pyramid’s structure was meant to emulate a ziggurat, which is a type of stepped pyramid found in ancient Sumerian and Babylonian cultures. This is supported by the fact that Snefru is known to have persecuted the cult of the sun-god Ra as his father, King Huni, previously held. This could explain why the Bent Pyramid has no known burial artifacts and is purely an effective and sophisticated structural wonder. Visit one of the famous monuments of Egypt with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The Bent Pyramid is the world’s first successful attempt at something called ‘smoothed-sided’ pyramids. 2. The Bent Pyramid has two entrances. One is located on the north side, and the other entrance is on the western side, facing the Fayyum Oasis. 3. The Bent Pyramid is so named because its outer casing is bent at an angle of 54 degrees. 4. The Bent Pyramid rises from the desert floor at 105 meters, and is 189 meters in length. 5. Its base is 116 meters by 105 meters, making it the second largest in Egypt. 6. The Bent Pyramid is also known as the “Southern Shining Pyramid,” because its grand angle reveals that its sides are covered with a smooth limestone finish that shines in the sun. 7. The pyramid's two entrances lead into two separate burial chambers. 8. Inside the pyramid, there is a network of corridors including three false burial chambers, and nineteenth century explorers also discovered a sarcophagus containing the remains of a male Hippopotamus. 9. The Bent Pyramid was considered to be an engineering marvel at the time of its construction, due to its smooth-sided structure and its unique angle. 10. The Bent Pyramid is believed to have been built under the rule of Pharaoh Sneferu; it is believed to have been built between 2630 and 2611 BCE. One of the historical monuments of Egypt, it tells the story of a bygone era