Giza, Egypt
Coordinates: 29.976111, 31.130833
The Pyramid of Khafre or of Chephren is the second-tallest and second-largest of the Ancient Egyptian Pyramids of Giza and the tomb of the Fourth-Dynasty pharaoh Khafre (Chefren), who ruled from 2558 to 2532 BC.
The pyramid has a base length of 215.5 m (706 ft) and rises up to a height of 136.4 metres (448 ft). It is made of limestone blocks weighing more than 2 tons each.
The pyramid was likely opened and robbed during the First Intermediate Period. During the Nineteenth Dynasty, the overseer of temple construction took casing stones to build a temple in Heliopolis on Ramesses II’s orders.
Arab historian Ibn Abd al-Salam recorded that the pyramid was opened in 1372 AD. On the wall of the burial chamber, there is an Arabic graffito that probably dates from the same time.
The apex of the pyramid is missing but the peak still has some remnants of its white limestone casing.
Know This
Those having back problem, heart problem or who feel claustrophobic, are advised not to venture inside. You have to literally bend down at waist level to go inside the tunnel and walk almost 50 Meters holding the railing on both sides until you reach another passage (Tunnel) in which you can stand and walk. Finally you can reach the inside Chamber of the Pyramid. It can be a very different kind of feeling – scary, astonishing, awesome, wonderful.
Avoid Fridays and national holidays as it gets so busy and you may end up queuing for hours.
