The Great Sphinx of Giza | History & Facts

Explore the Great Sphinx of Giza, the legendary symbol of Egypt in the form of limestone that has been the delight of travelers since time immemorial. This is an old monument and it is located next to the pyramids and it represents the secrets of pharaonic civilization. Planning to visit? It is easy and fast to get an Egypt e- visa and visit the Sphinx, other ancient marvels with ease. Begin your trip to one of the most important archeological sites in the world.

Where is the Great Sphinx of Giza located?

The Great Sphinx of Giza is located in Cairo, Egypt, in the west bank of the river Nile, about 800 meters away from the Great Pyramids. The geographical location is not random but rather it corresponds to the magnificence of the Pyramids of Giza especially the Pyramid of Khafre which is said to be the grave of the pharaoh. This position contributes to the Sphinx as a protector, guard of the necropolis and the treasures that are inside.

What does the Sphinx mean?

Sphinx is not a unique word to ancient Egyptians and similar creatures with a human head and wings of a lion can also be encountered in Greek and south and southeast Asian mythology. It is very difficult to decide what the original name of this gigantic ancient monument might have been.

It was the practices of classical antiquity that gave the Sphinx its modern name in almost all, almost two thousand years after the conventional building date. The title is based on Greek mythology, which represents a creature with the body of a lion, head of a woman, and wings of an eagle. The Egyptian version however lacks wings and instead has a human head.

The Great Sphinx of Giza is situated in Cairo, Egypt, on the west bank of the Nile River

Interesting facts about the Great Sphinx of Giza

If you are planning a trip to The Great Sphinx in Egypt, or are simply intrigued about the country, here are some Great Sphinx of Giza facts:

1. Who built the Sphinx?

Since time immemorial, it has puzzled historians and archeologists. Since it is clear that the head of the lion is similar to the face of Khafre, the most popular opinion is that the head of the lion was built under the reign of Khafre. This would put the date of creation of the statue around 2500 BCE.

It was also this Pharaoh that built the second-largest monument in the Giza Necropolis; the Pyramid of Khafre. However, other scholars argue that it was constructed by Djedefre who tried to steal the throne after the death of King Khufu, the man who constructed the pyramids.

2. The Great Sphinx used to be quite colorful

According to historians and scholars, the painting of the Sphinx was once done in bright colours, but over time the paint has been washed off by weathering, erosion and human activity.

There have been studies and analyses that the Sphinx was painted with red, yellow and blue colors, elaborate patterns and designs, but it is hard to find out the exact color and patterns that the original paint consisted of.

The remains of the paint are still observable in certain parts of the body of the Sphinx like the name fabric and the headpiece.

The Great Sphinx used to be quite colorful

3. It was built from one single slab of limestone

It only makes sense to assume that the Sphinx was constructed bit by bit, so much as its height and breadth. In fact, it was made out of a block of limestone that remained after the quarry on which the pyramids were built. This is one of the certainly interesting facts concerning the Great Sphinx of Giza. The front paws were also made of separate pieces of limestone.

Egyptologist Mark Lehner writes that the monument had been finished by some three hundred workers in three years, using chisels and hammers. The researchers also found large, unfinished stone blocks and discarded toolkits next to the work site, leading to the assumption that the structure was initially bigger than it is currently. Amazingly, there are also remnants of leftover lunches that involve meat of cattle, lambs, and goats, which also tell about the workers leaving quickly.

4. No one knows why its nose is missing

One of the most identifiable aspects of the Sphinx is the nose that appears to have been chopped off. The nose was believed to have measured one meter. It has been lost how it was cut off, but rumors have been circulated unfounded, such as that which states that Napoleon was the one who did it.

Although it was believed that when Napoleon invaded Egypt in the year 1798 his troops shot off the nose of the sphinx using a cannon, the nose was already cut off, historical drawings discovered before the entry of Napoleon.

The Sphinx nose, which looks to be broken off, is one of its most recognizable features

5. The Sphinx spent time buried in sand

The Great Sphinx has over the years been destroyed many times by the shifting sands of the Egyptian desert. With the help of Thutmose IV who would soon become pharaoh in Egypt, the Sphinx was first repaired, just before the 14th century before Christ. It was again buried during the next three millennia in which the monument was buried.

The arms of the statue were buried in the 19 th century and the front arms were located in Giza much deeper than the surface. It would not fully be re-unearthed until the 1920s.

6. The Sphinx went through a beard phase

Today, parts of the eroded beard of the Great Sphinx that were later taken off the chin of the statue are currently held in the British Museum and the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Cairo.

The British Museum agrees with the other theories, including those of French archeologist Dobrev, who believes that the beard was added. Had the chine been built at the same time, it must have suffered far more damage. It is argued to have been part of the large-scale restoration project by Thutmose IV.

You can also explore the pyramids at Dahshur, which showcase unique architectural styles from ancient Egypt.

7. The Sphinx is the subject of astronomical theories

The mystery of the Great Sphinx of Giza has given it a central role in a number of theories about how the ancient Egyptians perceived things in the cosmos.

Other scholars, including Lehner, have also talked about how the Sphinx and the pyramids of the Giza Necropolis are components of a massive power harnessing machine that is capable of capturing solar radiation. Some are not in agreement with the concept but considering that this is the Great Sphinx then there is no reason to believe that the rumors will cease any time soon.

Besides, the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt stand as timeless symbols of ancient Egyptian civilization, located near the iconic Great Sphinx.

8. The Great Sphinx is the largest monolith statue on Earth

The largest monolithic statue in the world is the Great Sphinx in Giza that is 241 feet long and 66 feet high. The Sphinx is an object of wonder and artistic skill, and thousands of people in the world were amazed and captured by it during thousands of years.

Even though the Sphinx has been ravaged by weathering and vandalism over the years, it remains a well-known symbol of ancient Egypt and a living example of ancient creativity of the world.

The Great Sphinx is the largest monolith statue on Earth

Things to know before you explore the Great Sphinx of Giza

Egypt e-Visa

Ensure you have obtained the necessary travel documentation. Consider applying for an Egypt e-visa through our official Egypt Immigration Services website. This will streamline the entry process and save you time upon arrival.

Weather conditions

Check the weather conditions before your visit. Egypt can be extremely hot, especially during the summer months. Dress appropriately, stay hydrated, and use sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun.

Read more: Understanding the average Egypt temperatures

Opening hours

Check the opening hours of the site. The Great Sphinx of Giza and the Giza Plateau may have specific visiting hours, and planning your visit is essential.

Photography rules

While photography is generally allowed, there might be restrictions in certain areas. Check with the staff or guides to avoid any inconvenience.

In conclusion

To sum up, the Great Sphinx of Giza can be considered one of the most intriguing ancient wonders of Egypt, which attracts people with its eternal mystery and grandeur. This is a landmark that will always be on your itinerary of Egypt whether you are delving into its fascinating history or you are taking pictures that will be remembered forever. To have the unique experience of being close to the legendary Sphinx, it becomes even simpler with the convenient Egypt e-Visa, where a person only needs to plan on how to arrive in the country to experience the legendary views.