Saqqara Step Pyramid: History, Facts & Travel Guide

Near Cairo, Egypt, you can find the Saqqara Step Pyramid which is both the oldest known pyramid and the initial stone monument. It was built by Imhotep around 2700 BCE for Pharaoh Djoser, paving the way for something new in ancient Egyptian architecture. Its layout set the foundation for later pyramid builders and laid out the steps for other pyramid builders, like those who built the giant pyramids at Giza.

Embark on a journey to the Saqqara Step Pyramid

Overview of Saqqara Step Pyramid

The Saqqara Step Pyramid is Egypt’s earliest pyramid, marking a revolutionary shift in ancient tomb architecture and royal burials.

Location of Saqqara Step Pyramid

It is located in the Saqqara necropolis which is about 30 kilometres (19 miles) outside Cairo in Egypt. Just outside of Memphis which is a recognized historic city, is where you’ll encounter the site. The pyramid was part of a broad complex constructed for Pharaoh Djoser in the 27th century BCE. By building the Step Pyramid, Egypt learned how to make large-scale constructions in stone which was followed by the Great Pyramid at Giza. Because Saqqara is not far from the desert near Cairo, it has a major place in the history of archaeology in that area.

Open hours and entrance fee

Here are the visiting hours and current entrance fees for the Saqqara Step Pyramid to help you plan your trip.

Opening hours:

• Daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Last entry allowed at 4:30 PM

Entrance fee:

• Foreign adults: 200 EGP
• Foreign students: 100 EGP (valid student ID required)
• Egyptian adults: 60 EGP
• Egyptian students: 30 EGP
• Ticket includes: Access to the Step Pyramid, surrounding courtyards, and key tombs.

History of Step Pyramid in Saqqara

Both the Step Pyramid and the Pyramid of Djoser are world-famous names for the first large stone pyramid and building in Egypt. The structure went up during the 27th century BCE, under the direction of Pharaoh Djoser. Long before the building had its current look, it was a less complex structure designed and constructed by the great architect Imhotep.

At the nearby necropolis of Saqqara, beside ancient Memphis, this pyramid was one part of a large complex enclosed by a limestone wall. On the site, you can find temples, courtyards, shrines and spaces made for the king’s use in the next world.

His inventive style made him a trailblazer in Egyptian architecture because he switched from building with mudbricks to building with limestone. Not only did the Step Pyramid confirm the pharaoh’s power, but it also provided a base for the smoother pyramids eventually built at Giza.

Currently, the Saqqara Step Pyramid shows how architects and people in early dynasties worshipped through elaborate royal tombs. Visitors continue to make it one of the main tourist sites in Egypt.

Origins and legacy of the Step Pyramid in Saqqara

Architect imhotep and his innovations

In the Third Dynasty around the 27th century BCE, Imhotep is considered the earliest known architect and engineer in history, based on documented achievements. As well as designing buildings, he was a sacred priest, a practicing doctor and later regarded as a god of wisdom and medicine. The most impressive thing he did was to turn the simple mastaba tomb into a tall and tiered design, giving the pharaohs a new way to bury their leaders.

Imhotep came up with a new and revolutionary plan for the Step Pyramid. For construction, the builder opted for using limestone blocks instead of mudbrick which was the first large-scale stone project at that time. Imhotep designed the Step Pyramid in six stages to finish the pyramid which measured approximately 60 meters (197 feet) high and set up an advanced burial place around it. These included courtyards, temples and ceremonial buildings cut off from the outside by a large stone wall.

Because of his ideas, later pyramids were built using the designs he pioneered such as the world-famous pyramids at Giza. Architecture carried out by Imhotep revealed solid planning, accurate engineering and a clear grasp of religious meanings. He is famous in ancient Egyptian history and remembered for his clever designs in early architecture.

Innovations of Imhotep in ancient Egyptian architecture

Architecture and design inside Saqqara Pyramid Egypt

The Saqqara Step Pyramid was built for Pharaoh Djoser and marks a major progress in ancient Egyptian architecture. The first known pyramid and the earliest major structure entirely out of stone was constructed by the architect Imhotep in the 27th century BCE. Six steps bring the Step Pyramid to a height of approximately 60 meters (197 feet), marking the move from the previous flat-topped mastaba tombs.

The body and burial items of the pharaoh were kept safe inside the pyramid by means of a series of structures underneath. A vertical shaft, 28 meters deep, runs throughout the structure and leads to the granite burial chamber at its bottom. In the area are more than 3.5 miles (5.5 kilometers) of tunnels and galleries serving as sacred storehouses for ceremonial items and gifts.

The ceremonial duties of the king’s death were served by the complex’s massive enclosure wall, open courtyards, temples and South Tomb. Thanks to his novel methods and careful organization, Imhotep made the Saqqara pyramid an important step in the growth of Egyptian monumental design.

Design features and inner layout of Egypt’s Saqqara Pyramid

Step Pyramid Complex of Djoser

Explore the Step Pyramid Complex of Djoser, a remarkable architectural masterpiece that reflects ancient Egypt’s innovation and religious beliefs.

The Step Pyramid of King Djoser

At Saqqara sits King Djoser’s Step Pyramid which is considered the first major stone monument and the earliest Egyptian pyramid ever built. In the 27th century BCE, Pharaoh Djoser of the Third Dynasty had the Step Pyramid built which introduced a new style for Egyptian architecture.

Original plans by Imhotep changed the mastaba into a pyramid comprising 6 tiers and standing almost 60 meters (197 feet) high. The new approach used cut limestone, instead of the earlier method of mudbrick.

Djoser’s pyramid was his burial place and stood at the heart of a huge funerary enclosure surrounded by a large wall of limestone. Archaeologists found temples, courtyards, buildings for ceremonies and storage galleries beneath the city.

Building the Step Pyramid first showed what it meant for a king to act as a god and it led the way for the more impressive Giza pyramids.

The Step Pyramid of King Djoser

The Step Pyramid and Heb Sed (Jubilee) Court

Djoser’s Step Pyramid is found in the large ceremonial complex at Saqqara, where the Heb Sed Court, an important part of ancient Egyptian royal customs, also stands. Every 30 years, the Heb Sed or Sed Festival, took place to refresh a pharaoh’s status as a god and his hold over the kingdom.

Next to the Step Pyramid sits the Heb Sed Court which contains a collection of chapels and false doors each representing a different Egyptian area. The king displayed these during the festival to signal his continuing ability to lead a united area.

Rather than using wood or mudbrick for architectural structures, the building of the court featured natural stone, like that seen in shrines and palaces. Djoser may not have lived long enough to take part in the Sed Festival, but the court’s location in his construction shows how central renewal rites were to early dynastic culture.

The Step Pyramid and Heb Sed (Jubilee) Court

Cultural and religious significance

Because it was the first large-scale stone monument built in ancient Egypt, the Saqqara Step Pyramid has significant cultural and religious effects. It was erected for Pharaoh Djoser near the end of the 3rd millennium BCE as a show of divinity in architecture.

Egyptians believed the pyramid helped the king while traveling through the afterlife. As Djoser’s funerary complex expanded upward in six steps, it might have served as a staircase to heaven so that Djoser could join the gods. The site included various shrines likely devoted to deities such as Ptah and other local gods.

The building of the Step Pyramid in Egypt proved that the pharaoh was considered to maintain order (ma’at) from their life to their afterlife. As the first big step away from traditional tombs, it would lead to the Pyramids at Giza being built using smooth stone.

Ancient Egypt stands as a source of inspiration thanks to its pyramids, indicating the country’s originality, beliefs and high standing of rulers.

Facts about Saqqara Pyramid Egypt

Known as the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the Saqqara Pyramid was the very first major stone building ever constructed and is the oldest structure from ancient Egypt. It was constructed in the 27th century BCE for Djoser, the Pharaoh of the Third Dynasty.

According to Egyptian texts, Imhotep, though often credited with many innovations, was not the inventor of mummification. As Djoser’s chief engineer, Imhotep’s revolutionary design layered multiple mastabas to create the Step Pyramid form, rather than simply expanding an existing tomb. The tomb is part of a huge funerary complex with temples and courtyards that includes a maze of underground rooms extending more than 5.5 kilometers.

Believing the pyramid represented their divine power, the pharaohs used them to reach the afterlife. The Step Pyramid served as an example for later pyramids, such as those at Giza.

The site of Saqqara, close to the old capital Memphis, is now one of Egypt’s biggest tourist attractions and shows how architects and believers developed long ago.

Important details on Egypt’s Saqqara Pyramid

Best time to visit

Planning your visit to the Saqqara Pyramid? Here’s when and how to make the most of your experience:

• The best place to visit is from October to April, when it is cooler outside (10–20°C / 50–68°F). To avoid uncomfortably high heat during your trip, visit outside the months of June to August.
• The coolest temperatures and the fewest visitors can be found when you arrive first thing in the morning, about 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM. For great photos, it’s best to shoot in the early morning or evening.
• There are usually fewer people at the site during weekdays than at weekends and holidays.

How to get to Saqqara

Reaching the Saqqara Pyramid from Cairo or Luxor is relatively easy with several transportation options available:

• From Cairo:
  • By taxi: Private taxis take about 45–60 minutes from central Cairo. Agree on a fare in advance or use a ride-hailing app.
  • By tour bus: Many tour companies offer day trips to Saqqara, often combined with Dahshur and Memphis.
  • By rental car: Renting a car provides flexibility, but roads can be busy—GPS or a local driver is recommended.
• From Giza: Travel south via the Cairo Ring Road and Al-Badrashin Road—trip takes approximately 1 hour.
• From Luxor: Take a flight or train to Cairo, then follow one of the above options.

FAQs about Step Pyramid of Saqqara

Here are some frequently asked questions about the Step Pyramid of Saqqara to help you plan and understand your visit.

Can you go inside the step pyramid?

Yes, guests are allowed inside the Step Pyramid of Djoser. When the work on restoration was done, the museum’s interior was opened to visitors once more in 2020. The middle of the mausoleum is where the main burial shaft sits, together with several corridors and chambers. Entry may be limited to people with special tickets and a set of protective policies is in place, so check before entering.

How old is the step pyramid of Saqqara?

Archaeologists estimate the Step Pyramid at Saqqara was built about 4,600 years in the past. Pharaoh Djoser started the building of a step pyramid at the beginning of the 27th century BCE in Egypt’s Third Dynasty. As Egypt’s original, the step pyramid started the era of grand stone monuments being built there.

Is the step pyramid older than the Great Pyramid?

Yes, the Step Pyramid of Saqqara is older than the Great Pyramid of Giza. It was built around 2667–2648 BCE for Pharaoh Djoser, during the Third Dynasty. In contrast, the Great Pyramid was constructed about a century later, around c. 2560 BCE, for Pharaoh Khufu during the Fourth Dynasty.

Who built the Step Pyramid of Saqqara?

Back in the Third Dynasty, the Step Pyramid at Saqqara was built for Pharaoh Djoser by his architect Imhotep. He was known for being an engineer, same as he was for being a priest and a doctor. Djoser’s tomb was the very first huge stone building in ancient Egypt.

In conclusion

The Saqqara Step Pyramid is the oldest Egyptian pyramid and a place everyone should visit near Cairo. Built for Pharaoh Djoser, it is a striking example of old Egyptian architecture. Travelers hoping to see the pyramid can apply for an Egypt e-visa online through official government portals before visiting sites like Saqqara.