Ancient Memphis 
Memphis was the capital of Egypt for thousands of years, yet little remains of the great city to attest to its glory. Its ruins, which include some interesting artifacts, are located 40 km south of Cairo.
History
Memphis was founded by the I Dynasty pharaoh Menes around 3100 BC and destroyed after the Arab conquest in the 7th century AD. Most of its treasures were looted or reused in other monuments.
What to See
The sparse remains hardly warrant a special excursion. Worth seeing, however, is the colossal statue of Ramses II, alabaster sphinx of King Thutmose III and embalming slabs where the holy Apis bulls were mummified. Most of the artifacts have been gathered for display in a garden.
Quick Facts
| Names: | Memphis, Memphis Necropolis |
| Type of site: | Ruins of ancient Egyptian city |
| Dates: | 3100 BC - 600s AD |
| Location: | 24 km south of Cairo, Egypt |
| Hours: | Winter: 7:30a-4p daily; summer: 7:30a-5p daily |
| Cost: | Nominal admission fee. |
Sources
- Memphis - Cairo - Wcities.com
More Information
- Reviews of Memphis - TripAdvisor traveler reviews and tips
