Memphis and Sakkara, Cairo

The pyramids at Giza impress by their size, simplicity and evident age. The archaeological remains of Saquara are infinitely more varied and size apart extraordinary than those at Giza.

The famous 'step-pyramid', the oldest known dressed stone construction in the world, is only the most spectacular of it's attractions. Indeed the site is so extensive that the authorities have divided it into two zones, each with separate coach parks and entry points.

I was on a quick day of pyramid hunting, and so only had a couple of hours to spare before heading south to Daishur, and so visited little. The step pyramid as mother of all stone architecture was what I had to see. I would have enjoyed the painted reliefs I saw more without the guide who insisted on accompanying me.

Tho photo is one of my very very favorites. It's the dog in the foreground that makes it.

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visit memphis - one of the oldest town on earth
The city was founded by King Menes, that king who unified upper & Lower Egypt, in 3,100 BC by creating dikes to protect the area from Nile floods.
The city was the capital of Old Egypt during the Old Kingdom , it is considered to be a center of rule and culture for over 3000 years and had great architectural achievements and it is believed that Memphis was the largest city in the world from its foundation until around 2250 BC. The name of the city derives from the Pyramid of Mn-nfr.
At Memphis you can see a colossal red granite statue of the great Rameses II, lying on the ground in a covered pavillon. The statue once measured almost 40 feet but has been damaged with its lower legs and feet missing. The other statue of Rameses II is located in Cairo near the train station.

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When you talk of Egypt it is very hard to grasp the words “the oldest.” Egypt has 97 known pyramids and the step pyramid of Sakkara is widely promoted as the oldest pyramid in Egypt.

Originally part of the great metropolis of Memphis, the Kings of the first and second dynasty are buried here. The step pyramid, however, was build in the third dynasty by King Djoser (or his slaves!) after it was designed by the architect Imothep.

As much as the Step pyramid is spectacular, Anne and I were very impressed with the tombs of the old kingdom which located here as well. In fact, you ust walk past them to enter the pyramid. Thse tombs are home to the most beautiful “reliefs” and hieroglyphics depicting daily life. These hieroglyphics are painted on masonry that appears as though it could have been laid only a few years ago!

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While you are visiting this ancient land, one thing is for sure…you must visit the ancient tombs! The best place to visit the tombs, apart from the Valley of the Kings, is Sakkara.

Sakkara is situated approx. 1 hour south of Cairo and is home to the spectacular step pyramid. At a cost of 60 Egyptian pounds to enter, this represents excellent value as a day out. This value is further enhanced when you are offered to purchase a ticket into the tombs for a further 30 Egyptian pounds. My advise, pay the extra!

One thing you learn very quickly in Egypt is that “most” of the guards, guides and tourist police are open to bribery. In fact, it seems to part of their every day life. You can offer a bribe for most “access” or “photographic” issues and the worst that can happen is that you are met with a polite “no.”

At all of the tombs, and the Cairo museum, you will see the signs,”Please, no photo.” When there are not too many tourists around, you can hand a guard a 5 Egyptian pound note and ask if you can take some photos. You are almost always met with a reply of “yes, quickly!” and the guards will almost always use your camera and take a photo of you in the tombs!

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When you first arrive at the Sakkara step pyramid you walk through two massive gates that protect this walled structure. You then walk through to a magnificently restore colonnade that has 40 columns.

As you can see by the picture, there are small rooms that contained statues which are said represented King Zoser, ruler of Upper and Lower Egypt, and builder of the step pyramid.

When Anne and I walked between the columns we got a sense of what it was like to live in these times, especially once we walked through the columns and out into the open courtyard.

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As I mentioned earlier, apart from a large standing statue of Ramses 2, a large statue of Ramses 2 lying down and a sarcophagus or two, there is not much to write home about here!

Having said that, I must admit that the statue of Ramses II lying down is very spectacular. With his royal seal in his right hand and his steely gaze toward the heavens you get a sense of just how powerful a man this Pharaoh was.

There is a guard sits next to the statue and he will approach you and ask if you would like him to take a photo of you. Be very careful as if you give him your camera you will not get it back until you pay him his “Baksheesh.” (The word translates somewhere between tip and bribe!)

During the old Kingdom, 2575 – 2130 B.C; Memphis was the Capital City.

Today, Memphis is a small museum, located near the step pyramid if Saqquara, and not really worth the 35 Egyptian Pound entry fee.

Apart from a large standing statue of Ramses II, a large statue of Ramses II lying down and a sarcophagus or two, there is not much to write home about here!

The Imhotep museum has an excellent collection of limestone statues.

The statue here is dated to approx 2500 B.C.!!!!!

Depicting Ptahshepses as a scribe, seated cross legged with a papyrus scroll on his lap, Ptahshepses is known as the judge and inspector of God’s servants. (God being the Pharaohs.)