World Tourism / The Best Pyramids in the World / The Red Pyramid
The Red Pyramid
The Red Pyramid located beautifully at Dashur has the second largest base of any pyramid in Egypt. Each side of the pyramid has about 220 meters. However, with its sides sloping at 43°22', it is shorter at 104 meters. The Red Pyramid is the fourth highest pyramid that was ever built in Egypt, featuring almost 160 layers of stone. Stripped from its limestone casing, the extraordinary pyramid shows the reddish sandstone that was used to make most of its core. That is why it has this modern-day name, the Red Pyramid. The Ancient Egyptian name of the pyramid was "The Shining One". The controversal structural problems met while building the Bent Pyramid located South of Dashur, made Snefru to find another massive pyramid, situated at a short distance to the North. Moreover, the Red Pyramid was the first successful, real cased Pyramid founded in Egypt, inaugurated in the era of the Giza style pyramids. The Red Pyramid was carefully constructed by Khufu's father, Snefru. The special thing that makes this pyramid look special nowadays is the lack of crowds and circus atmosphere that affect the Plateau of Giza, but in fact, this pyramid can currently be entered without limitation. Tura limestone was used as casing stone to cover the pyramid. Though some casing still remains, the majority have been removed. However, almost every twentieth casing stone that has been discovered features inscriptions on the back sides. Some casing also were inscribed with the cartouche of Snefru while others had inscriptions in red paint, including the names of different work crews, for example the "Green Gang" or the "Western Gang".
A very important discovery was Snefru's cartouche. In the eastern part of the pyramid are located the remains of a mortuary temple, and the first capstone ever found, belonging to an Old Kingdom Pyramid. It was recovered in fragments and then remodeled. Though not so much remains from the mortuary temple itself, it is still significant, as Snefru pioneered the east west alignment of Egyptian temples to match the path of the sun. The interior of the pyramid is designed with three chambers with corbeled ceilings and many interesting graffiti that date back to the 19th century. The Red Pyramid is one of the few Egyptian pyramids that permits the general public visits. A very high entrance, situated on the north side opens an easy access to a 62 meters passage that slopes downwards at an angle of around 27°. The passage itself has around 91cm in height and 1.23 meters in width. At the bottom of the passage a short corridor that take the tourists to the first chamber lies, which reaches a height of about 12.3meters. The first chamber includes an 11-course corbel-vaulted ceiling.
At the southern end of the first chamber another short corridor runs to the second chamber, that has the same dimensions as the first one, and includes a corbelled ceiling as well. This marvelous chamber lies directly under the apex of the pyramid. At the southern end of this chamber is designed a wooden staircase, constructed in a modern way, and leads to a third and final chamber, which is believed to represent the burial chamber. The burial chamber also includes a corbelled ceiling reaching around 15 meters. A rare capstone has been uncovered and reconstructed, and now is displayed right next to the pyramid.
Interesting history of the Red Pyramid
The inscriptions that were found on the back of the casing stones gave some indications about how long it took for the pyramid took to be erected and also revealed the sequence of work that had been made. An important inscription found at the base of this pyramid indicated that the work at the pyramid started during the year of the 15th cattle count of Snofru's reign. Since the cattle counts took place at irregular intervals of time, during this reign, this refers to the period between Snofru's 15th and 30th year. Many scientists who explored the inscriptions believe that the pyramid construction started at the time when structural problems encountered when building the Bent Pyramid forced the workers to leave the project for some time. A second inscription found 30 courses of stones higher and dates back to 2-4 years later than the inscription found at the baseof the pyramid. This reveals the speed at which the Egyptians were capable to erect a monument like the Red Pyramid. In a period of about 4 years, around 30 percent of the pyramid had been completed, and in about seventeen years the huge and the amazing pyramid was finished. It rises up as a wonderful structure, veiled in mystery and mystics, hidding many secrets that have never been discovered. It is a really spectacular treasure for the Egyptian nation, a unique masterpiece surrounded by secret tales that reveal many exciting adventures and intriguing periods of time.
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The Pyramids are as fascinating as they are breathtaking, veiled in mystery and mystics.
There are a lot of ideas and speculations about the construction of the pyramids.
When visiting the pyramids in their chronological order you can be witness to the logical evolution of the pyramid design.
Pyramids were used to be built in Ancient Egypt as tombs, or burial places, for the Egyptian pharaohs, or even kings.
The pyramid appeared because the Ancient Egyptians believed in an after life, so the protection of the bodies of their pharaohs played a great role in the Egyptian’s life.
In order to keep the body of the pharaoh safe, the insides of the pyramids were made like mazes with locked doors and never ending passages.
The best pyramids in the world are of course in Egypt, which seem to be the homeland of these veritable structures.
A journey to the pyramids will reserve unforgettable moments for you, leaving you in a world full of extasy, relaxation and adventure.
If you plan such a journey, then we will recommend the world’s best pyramids to you, so you could be sure what direction to choose.
Enjoy a lifetime experience and you will never be disappointed for choosing pyramids as your holiday destination!!!!