Great Pyramid of Khufu, Giza
Left: The Pyramids of Giza, with the Great Pyramid of Khufu on the far right. Right: The Great Pyramid and Sphinx.
"If you choose one pyramid to go into, make it the Great Pyramid of Khufu."
– Fodor's Egypt
The Great Pyramid of Khufu is the last surviving representative of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Dating to about 2570 BC, the Great Pyramid is the oldest and largest of the three great pyramids in the Giza necropolis on the outskirts of modern Cairo, Egypt.
Originally 146 m (479 ft) in height, the Great Pyramid now stands at a still awe-inspiring 137 m (449 ft). It was the tallest structure in the world for millennia until surpassed by the spires of the Lincoln Cathedral in 1300 AD.
Over 2 million blocks of stone and an astounding amount of manual labor were used to construct the Great Pyramid.
The Great Pyramid is believed to have served as the tomb of the Fourth dynasty Egyptian Pharaoh Khufu (also known under his Greek name Cheops).
See an interactive satellite view of Giza's pyramids here.
- Pyramids: The Inside Story – PBS NOVA
- Great Pyramid of Giza – Wikipedia
- Khafu's Pyramid – Fodor's Online Travel Guide
- A Picture Tour of The Great Pyramid - Great Pyramid of Giza Research Association
- Secret chamber may hold key to mystery of the Great Pyramid – The Guardian, August 30, 2004
