Egypt Sphinx Pyramids of Giza Postcard

The Sphinx and the Pyramids of Giza are among the most iconic and mysterious monuments of ancient Egypt. Located just outside Cairo, the Giza Pyramid Complex consists of three massive pyramids built over 4,500 years ago as tombs for the pharaohs. The largest and most famous, the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops), originally stood at 146 metres (481 feet) and was the tallest man-made structure in the world for thousands of years. Next to it are the Pyramid of Khafre and the Pyramid of Menkaure, each built for a different ruler of Egypt’s Fourth Dynasty. These pyramids were constructed with millions of limestone blocks, some weighing several tons, and their precise engineering continues to amaze historians and archaeologists today. Guarding the pyramids is the Great Sphinx of Giza, a massive limestone statue with the body of a lion and the head of a pharaoh, believed to represent Khafre. The Sphinx, measuring 73 metres (240 feet) long and 20 metres (66 feet) high, is one of the world’s oldest and largest statues. Its purpose remains uncertain, but it is thought to have been a guardian of the royal tombs. Over centuries, the Sphinx has suffered erosion, and its missing nose has led to many myths about its history. Together, the pyramids and the Sphinx stand as powerful symbols of ancient Egyptian civilization, attracting millions of visitors each year who marvel at their grandeur and the mysteries that still surround them.