Pyramid of Khafre

About Pyramid of Khafre

Smooth-sided pyramid in Giza, Egypt

The Pyramid of Khafre is the middle of the three Pyramids of Giza and the second tallest and second largest of the group. It is the tomb of Khafre (Chephren), fourth king of the Fourth Dynasty and son of Khufu, who reigned for about 26 years (c. 2558–2532 BC) and named his pyramid "the Great". Originally 143.5 metres high, it now stands at 136 metres, with base sides of 215.5 metres and a slope of about 53 degrees; it is slightly smaller than his father's Great Pyramid but sits on higher ground, so from a distance it appears larger. Khafre's pyramid is the only one of the three that still carries part of its smooth limestone casing at the top, a reminder that all the pyramids were once fully encased in this way. Two entrances on the north side lead to a descending passage roofed in granite, then a horizontal corridor ending in the burial chamber, with a gabled limestone ceiling, near the centre of the pyramid, together with a second chamber cut into the rock. The pyramid forms part of a funerary complex with a mortuary temple, a causeway and a valley temple, where statues of Khafre in schist were found, including the famous seated statue now in the Egyptian Museum. The carving of the neighbouring Great Sphinx is attributed to his reign.

Where:

Cairo, Egypt