Memphis was the first of the world’s Imperial Cities and dated back to the Old Kingdom of the Pharaohs in 3100 BC by the then King Menes. It was the first Capital of Egypt and at that time, a thriving place of commerce and centre for the Cult of the God Ptah. Today, it is still a popular tourist attraction in Egypt and visitors centre due to it pre- dating the Pyramids and being the first ever Pharaonic Capital and City.
Directions:
Situated at was is known as Saqqara,the Memphis Necropolis is a short 20 minute drive from the Bent Pyramid and around 45 minutes from the 3 Pyramids at Giza.
History:
Known as the first City of Pharaonic Egypt, this Old Kingdom of Pharaohs and nobility were buried in its necropolis at Saqqara. Memphis was symbolically built at the place where the delta met the couthern valley. Even after the 5th century BC, when Thebes had long taken over as the capital of Egypt, it was a splendid city, a thriving commercial centre and an important cult centre dedicated to the God Ptah. It’s hard to imagine such splendor today, as the mud brick palaces have dissolved and the stones of its temples, including the grand temple of Ptah, were plundered centuries ago for other buildings.
The sleepy village of Mit Rahina has few minor statues. Its tiny museum has a fine limestone colossus of Ramses II as a young man, and a beautiful alabaster sphinx in the garden.