Among all the marvelous structures and historical objects of ancient Egypt, the pyramids leave the most lasting and effective impression. The pyramids are the main feature of Egypt and a key identifier of ancient Egyptian civilization. According to this, you can rarely find any Egypt tours or Cairo day tours that don't include a visit to the three Pyramids, Sakkara, or Dahshur.
Maybe the most popular are the three massive great pyramids of Giza, but there are also marvelous pyramids structures that are worth visiting, like the two pyramids of Dahshur. We are here to shed light on the Dahshur pyramids and provide you with some really good details in case you are visiting Egypt soon and want to know more about its top attractions.
The pyramids were built in the sake of burying their owner's insides the inner chambers. Common Egyptian people and their rulers (pharaohs) believed that the man will be resurrected again with all of his possessions and treasures he owned in Life, and that's why pharaoh's built themselves pyramids and tombs to proceed their afterlife journey. Many books were written about the pyramids and how they were constructed perfectly by ordinary people in a time of technology limitation that did not qualify a building to survive thousands of years through harsh manufactures.
If you are a first-time traveler to Egypt, it is better to let a travel agency organize your trip rather than going on your own. Also, you should know that you have the option of customizing your own specific package.
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The Red Pyramid at Dahshur.
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Location and Significance
Dahshur desert is located on the west bank of the Nile, south of Cairo city. The area is considered as royal necropolis for the Egyptian royal family and consists mainly of two pyramids; the bent pyramid and the red pyramid.
The Red Pyramid: A Closer Look
The Red Pyramid, also known as the North Pyramid, is the largest of the three pyramids located at the Dahshur necropolis in Cairo, Egypt. The Red Pyramid is located approximately one kilometer (0.62 mi) to the north of the Bent Pyramid. The pyramid gets its name from the reddish hue of the limestone blocks used in its construction. The “Sneferu Shines" Red Pyramid is known for the reddish hue of its limestone blocks.
This iconic structure represents Egypt’s transformation into Giza-style pyramids and is famous for being the country’s first true encased pyramid. This pyramid use to have a smooth white limestone exterior. During the Middle Ages, much of the cladding was taken for buildings in Cairo, exposing the red limestone.
The Red Pyramid is one of the most priceless tourist attractions in Egypt; as it was the first attempt to build a true Pyramid, and the second largest base of all the ancient Pyramids in the history of this glorious civilization. The pyramids have been the tallest buildings for thousands of centuries. Have you ever asked yourself how could such a great civilization that had a lack of forklifts, trucks, and bulldozers build such GLORY? Why could anyone spend most of his life achieving such a civilization? And what is inside the Pyramids? Do they have treasures, tombs, or monuments?
Inside the Red Pyramid.
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Historical Context
The Red Pyramid was commissioned by Pharaoh Sneferu, who was also responsible for building the Bent Pyramid at Dahshur. The Red Pyramid was the third pyramid of four built by Old Kingdom Pharaoh Sneferu, and was built 2575-2563 BCE. It was created as the burial place for him within the cemetery of Dahshur. The ancient Egyptians believed in an afterlife, and they believed that the pharaohs would continue to rule in the afterlife.
Sneferu was born to a family in middle Egypt in Hermopolis and probably became a king by marrying a Queen from the royal family. After twenty- four years, King Senefru was succeeded by his son King Khufu who was renowned for the Great Pyramid of Giza. King Senefru had eight sons, they were "Khufu, Ankhhaf, Kanefer, Nefermaat I, Netjeraperef, Rahotep, Ranefer, and Lynefer I". He also had five daughters “Hetepheres A, Nefertkau I, Nerertnesu, Meritites, and Henusten”. The marvelous Red Pyramid gained the name of the North Pyramid and the Shinning Pyramid to immortalize the grand legacy of Sneferu who was the 1st pharaoh of the 4th dynasty.
The Red Pyramid is historically significant because it represents a major evolution in ancient Egyptian pyramid construction. Most Egyptologist believe the Red Pyramid was ancient Egypts (and the worlds) first successful construction of a "True Pyramid" (a pyramid with smooth sides).
Construction and Design
The Red Pyramid was built in (2575-2551), and it has one of the largest bases among the whole Pyramids in Egypt as each side measures (722 feet), with sides sloping the Red Pyramid at 43 degrees 22’ to avoid the inclination like the Bent Pyramid. The Red Pyramid is 105 meters (344 ft) high, and 220 meters (720 ft) wide. Built in 2551-2575, the Pyramid has one of the largest bases of all the pyramids in Egypt with each side being 722 feet long, with the sides of the Red Pyramid slanted at a 43 degree 22’ angle to avoid tilting. Like a curved pyramid.
The Red Pyramid’s design is believed to have evolved into its current shape due to engineering & architectural challenges encountered during the construction of Sneferu's earlier pyramids which are The Pyramid at Meidum which is possibly the first attempt at a smooth-sided pyramid that collapsed in antiquity. The Bent Pyramid the second attempt, experienced a significant change in inclination from 54 to 43 degrees during construction. After the engineering mistake that led to the ‘bend’ in the Bent Pyramid, Sneferu’s builders presumably decided to build this pyramid using the same angle of inclination that had allowed for the completion of the Bent Pyramid.
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Tora limestone was used to build the pyramid but most of it was removed over time. A rare pyramidion was found but its use remains uncertain due to its differing angle of inclination.
Interior Chambers
Inside the Red Pyramid, visitors can explore three chambers: two smaller antechambers and a larger main burial chamber. The chambers feature corbel-vaulted ceilings, which were an innovative architectural technique at the time. The Red Pyramid is (105m) high, and (220m) wide, and it has three chambers inside. There is a passage (3 feet in height, and 4 feet in width) that leads to a chamber (12 meters high) with (11 steps). The only entrance to the Red Pyramid is from the north side as it leads to a (206-foot passage to the first chamber). The Red Pyramid remains one of the greatest Pyramids that may have a secret chamber that we have not discovered yet.
Inside is a passage that slopes down at 27°, leading to a chamber with a 40-foot-high corbelled roof. A second chamber below the apex has a similar layout. The third chamber, reached by a wooden staircase, has a 50-foot-high roof but a rough floor, likely due to ancient attempts by robbers searching for treasure.
There is a burial chamber inside the Pyramid (23 feet long), and (50 feet high), but it is believed that there were robbers who took the treasures inside it, so. The Pyramid Texts, which are a collection of ancient Egyptian religious texts consisting of incantations, prayers, and rituals to guide the contracts through their journey to the afterlife to ensure their resurrection, were inscribed on the walls of the burial chamber and the corridors of the Red Pyramid.
Visiting the Red Pyramid
The Red Pyramid is located in Dahshur, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of Cairo. Visitors typically travel by car or tour bus from Cairo to reach the site. The site is well signposted and can be easily reached by tourists.
The Red Pyramid was closed for many years, but it is now open to all tourists, in addition, intrusive ventilation has been installed which pipes air to the people down in the interior chambers. It is safe to visit the Red Pyramid individually, with families, or even with large groups. You can visit the Red Pyramid daily from 08:00 am to 04:00 pm. In winter, from 08:00 am to 05:00 pm.
You can arrange your tour of the Red Pyramid on your own, if you are in Egypt, design your own tour and hire a car that has GPS features and go directly via Google Maps, but make sure that you are going on time, as it is open from 08:00 am to 04:00 pm every day. If you are not in Egypt and want to be part of this amazing experience, do not hesitate to book with a trusted travel agency to make your own tour.
Egypt Tours Portal offers single-day tours to Giza Pyramids including visiting the Red Pyramid and Egypt private tour packages to cover Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Alexandria, and Hurghada attractions.
Here's a table summarizing key facts about the Red Pyramid:
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Red Pyramid (also known as North Pyramid) |
| Location | Dahshur Necropolis, Egypt |
| Pharaoh | Sneferu |
| Dynasty | 4th Dynasty |
| Estimated Construction | 2575-2563 BCE |
| Height | 105 meters (344 ft) |
| Base Width | 220 meters (720 ft) |
| Angle of Inclination | 43 degrees |
| Key Features | First successful smooth-sided pyramid, reddish limestone |
The Red Pyramid is one of the most striking monuments in Egypt, and its role develop pyramid design cannot be exaggerated.
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