Mit Rahina — Quest for the Forgotten Colossus

Your quest begins at the Mit Rahina Open-Air Museum in Memphis, where the limestone Colossus of Ramses II awaits you, lying on its back. Discovered in 1820 by Caviglia, this statue, over 13 meters long, without calves or feet, features a perfectly preserved face. Refused by the British Museum and the Grand Duke of Tuscany in 1887 due to transport costs, it was moved by British engineer A. H. Bagnold using levers and pulleys. The pharaoh wears the white crown of Upper Egypt (Hedjet), displaying precise anatomical details from the New Kingdom. This archaeological site of Memphis is a gateway to the history of ancient Egypt, in the Gizeh region.

Continuing your exploration in the museum's sculpture garden, you encounter the Alabaster Sphinx, an 80-ton masterpiece, also found at the ancient site of Memphis. Nearby, the standing granite Colossus of Ramses II rises, distinct from the reclining colossus and one of Memphis's main artifacts. The museum was specifically built to protect these immense pieces discovered on site, testifying to the richness of Egyptian heritage. You can approach this sphinx closely, unlike the statues at Gizeh, for a detailed examination of its craftsmanship.

Your journey then leads you to the remains of the Temple of Ptah, the principal sanctuary of Memphis, unified capital around 3100 BC under Menes. This temple was the center of the cult of the creator god Ptah during the Old and New Kingdoms. It was near its southern gate that the Colossus of Ramses II was discovered in 1820. The accessible walking area around the museum, which includes an adjacent canal evoking the ancient hydraulic network, allows you to visualize the extent of this first Egyptian capital, whose decline occurred after the 6th Dynasty, around 2181 BC.

The sculpture garden also houses the embalming tables of the Apis bull, a central element of the Memphite cult. The open-air exhibition in the village of Mit Rahina, on the ancient capital of Memphis, immerses you in this historical setting. Located 18 km south of Cairo, the site is strategically close to the necropolises of Saqqara, Dahshour, and Gizeh, offering insight into royal funerary practices. This interactive visit to Memphis reveals layers of history, from the cults of gods to pharaonic dynasties.

Concluding your treasure hunt in Memphis, you will have explored the archaeological site of Memphis and the Mit Rahina Open-Air Museum, essential places to understand Egypt's ancient heritage. You will carry with you a concrete vision of the ancient Egyptians' ingenuity, the logistics behind moving an 80-ton colossus, and the perseverance of archaeologists like Caviglia. This thematic circuit in Gizeh will have offered you a unique perspective on the first Egyptian capital, its monuments, and its historical significance, far beyond what traditional guides offer.