THE SPHINX

The Sphinx is one of the best known monuments on Earth and dates back over 4,500 years to the Old Kingdom and the time of king Khafre - builder of the second largest pyramid on the Giza plateau on Cairo's outskirts. The head of the Sphinx probably depicts Khafre, while the body is that of a recumbent lion.

The Sphinx at Giza near Cairo.
In the background is the pyramid of Khafre (Chephren).

The Sphinx is about 73.5 metres in length. It was originally sculptured from a limestone outcrop and, for most of its history, the Sphinx has been at least partly covered in sand. The first recorded clearing took place in the 18th Dynasty when a prince, who later became the pharaoh Thutmose IV, ordered that the sand be removed. This happened after he supposedly had a dream in which he was told that he would become pharaoh if he cleared the Sphinx.

The Sphinx and, in the background, the great pyramid of Khufu (Cheops).

Fragment of the beard of the Sphinx, now in the British Museum.

Unfortunately, in recent centuries, the Sphinx has suffered greatly from the influence of man and exposure to the environment. Numerous attempts have been made to restore the figure and additional modern limestone blocks have been added around the base.

The Sphinx, the Sphinx Temple and the Valley Temple of Khafre.

In front of the Sphinx is its temple, while adjacent to it is the better preserved Valley Temple of Khafre. A causeway, seen behind the Sphinx in the photograph above, connected Khafre's Mortuary Temple next to his pyramid with the Valley Temple. At night, Sound & Light shows are performed at Giza and the audience is seated in an area located to the left of this view.

At night, a Sound And Light show is performed relating the history of Egypt and the Sphinx. The show is viewed from an area to the east of the Sphinx and pyramids and you should check the language schedule. A view of the Sphinx from behind (the west side).