Egyptian authorities have temporarily closed the Pyramid of Menkaure to visitors as part of routine maintenance work at the Giza pyramid complex.
The closure coincides with the reopening of the Pyramid of Khafre under a system that rotates public access between the historic structures while conservation work is carried out.
Reports from Egypt Independent and other Egyptian and regional news outlets attributed the decision to Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities.
The wider Giza complex has not been closed. Visitors can still see the pyramids from outside, while access to the reopened Pyramid of Khafre is available under the current arrangement.
Routine preservation work
The Supreme Council of Antiquities uses the rotation system to allow inspection, cleaning and maintenance work to take place without stopping all visitor activity at the site.
Menkaure will remain closed while the scheduled work is completed. The available announcement did not provide a date for its reopening.
The closure is therefore a conservation measure rather than a response to a security incident or newly discovered structural problem.
Regional reports, including coverage by Sky News Arabia, said the arrangement is intended to protect the ancient structures while maintaining public access to the Giza site.
Visitors planning to enter one of the pyramids should check the latest access arrangements before travelling because internal entry can change during maintenance periods.
About the two pyramids
The Pyramid of Menkaure is the smallest of the three main pyramids at Giza. It was constructed as a tomb for King Menkaure during Egypt’s Fourth Dynasty and originally stood at about 65 metres.
The structure is particularly known for the granite blocks used around the lower section of its exterior.
The Pyramid of Khafre is the second-largest pyramid at Giza. It was built for King Khafre and originally stood at approximately 143.5 metres. A section of its original limestone casing remains visible near its summit.
The Great Pyramid of Khufu is the largest of the three and the only surviving structure among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
The reopening of Khafre while Menkaure undergoes maintenance allows visitors to continue experiencing the interior of one of Giza’s major pyramids without a complete interruption of access.
