Egyptian officials have re-opened the country’s oldest pyramid after many years of restoration work.
Visitors can now tour the Djoser step pyramid in Saqqara which dates back 4,700 years.
The pyramid was built during the Third Dynasty of the Pharoahs and restoration work on it began about 15 years ago.
But the restoration process faced many challenges over the years especially during unrest that followed the uprising against ex-President Hosni Mubarak.
Officials said it cost nearly $6.6 million to restore the pyramid to its current state.
“Today we celebrate the completion of the project of warding off the danger and maintaining and restoring the first and oldest remaining pyramid in Egypt,” said tourism and antiquities minister Khaled al-Anani.
“We are in awe as to how he was able to create this structure, which has remained standing for 4,700 years,” said Anani.
He added that “Although of course we are very proud that this is an Egyptian legacy, we also know very well it is world and global heritage that we are very keen to maintain.”
Last year visitors also started trooping to the famous “bent” pyramid in Egypt after it was opened to the public for the first time in 50 years.
That pyramid was built for the pharaoh Sneferu, a 101-metre structure south of Cairo.
Tourists who visit the pyramid now have the chance to walk down a 79-metre long, narrow tunnel from a raised entrance on the pyramid’s northern face.
They would then be able to to reach two chambers deep inside the 4,600-year-old structure through the tunnel.
Egyptian officials are hoping to promote tourism at these restored sites which is part of a bigger agenda to boost tourism, a major source of revenue for Egypt.
Source: Africafeeds.com
