The Red Pyramid of Dahshur

Discover the enigmatic Red Pyramid of Dahshur, a stunning ancient marvel in Egypt. Explore its rich history, incredible architecture, and mysterious aura as you journey through one of the world's earliest true pyramids.

Written by ETP TEAM

Published Feb 13, 2023 Updated May 22, 2024 11 min read

Summary

The Red Pyramid in Egypt, constructed by Pharaoh Sneferu around 2590 BCE, is a significant historical attraction known for its unique squat appearance and its role as the first successful attempt at building a true pyramid.
Situated in the Dahshur cemetery, south of Cairo, the Red Pyramid's construction marked a pivotal development in pyramid building, influencing the construction of other famous pyramids in Egypt, including those at Giza.
The pyramid was built as a burial place for Pharaoh Sneferu, reflecting ancient Egyptian beliefs in the afterlife, where pharaohs would continue to rule. It features three chambers, with the main chamber containing a significant amount of stone.
The Red Pyramid is open to tourists and offers insight into ancient Egyptian civilization and its architectural achievements, making it one of the most important pyramids in Egypt.

The Red Pyramid is one of the most priceless attractions in Egypt; as it was the first attempt to build a true Pyramid, and the second largest base of all the ancient Pyramids in the history of this glorious civilization. The pyramids were the tallest structures for thousands of centuries. The Pyramids of Giza were built over 5,000 years ago, the pyramids prove to the whole world how the ancient Egyptians were great, powerful, wise, and had all the features that could make them the best nation on the planet.

Have you ever asked yourself how could such a great civilization that had a lack of forklifts, trucks, and bulldozers build such GLORY? Why could anyone spend most of his life achieving such a civilization? And what is inside the Pyramids? Do they have treasures, tombs, or monuments? We will explain all these thoughts in this article to be aware of the Egyptian civilization as our topic today will be one of the most important Pyramids of Egypt, "The Red Pyramid".

History of the Red Pyramid

The Red Pyramid was constructed by Pharaoh Sneferu during the Old Kingdom of Egypt (2575–2551 BCE) which is known as the third pyramid attributed to him. Its construction was around 2590 BCE. Some believe it was around 17 years while some believe it was a shorter period of 10-11 years based on quarry marks.

The Red Pyramid's design is believed to have evolved into its current shape due to engineering & architectural challenges encountered during the construction of Sneferu's earlier pyramids which are The Pyramid at Meidum which is possibly the first attempt at a smooth-sided pyramid that collapsed in antiquity. The Bent Pyramid the second attempt, experienced a significant change in inclination from 54 to 43 degrees during construction. The Red Pyramid was built with a safer angle unlike the bent pyramid to avoid catastrophic collapse.

Location and How to Get the Pyramid

The Red Pyramid is found in the Dahshur cemetery which is about 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) south of Cairo. It is situated about a kilometer directly north of the Bent Pyramid and shares a similar shallow angle of 43 degrees in its upper section. This angle gives the Red Pyramid a distinctive squat appearance compared to other Egyptian pyramids of similar size. The site is well-signposted and easily accessible for tourists. To get to the Red Pyramid, everyone can arrange transportation from Cairo by booking with a travel agency which will arrange a driver and tour guide.

Who Constructed the Red Pyramid?

King Sneferu Owner of the Red Pyramid - Egypt Tours Portal

The Red Pyramid is the tallest Pyramid in Dahshur, they have called it "Red" due to the reddish rusty color of its stone as they appear Red. The Red Pyramid was one of the three Pyramids that was built by "King Sneferu" after he had built the Bent Pyramid. Sneferu was born to a family in middle Egypt in Hermopolis and probably became a king by marrying a Queen from the royal family. King Senferu built the Pyramid of Meidum, it is the earliest Pyramid that was attributed to him, and it was constructed as a step Pyramid but they modified it later into a true Pyramid.

The second Pyramid that he built was the Pyramid in Dahshur, they had called it "The Bent Pyramid", it was designed as a true Pyramid from the beginning. After twenty- four years, King Senefru was succeeded by his son King Khufu who was renowned for the Great Pyramid of Giza. King Senefru had eight sons, they were "Khufu, Ankhhaf, Kanefer, Nefermaat I, Netjeraperef, Rahotep, Ranefer, and Lynefer I". He also had five daughters “Hetepheres A, Nefertkau I, Nerertnesu, Meritites, and Henusten”. Historians viewed the Region of “Senerfu” as a golden age, as there were numerous places that kept his name after his death due to his greatness when he ruled Egypt.

Why Was the Red Pyramid Built?

The marvelous Red Pyramid gained the name of the North Pyramid and the Shinning Pyramid to immortalize the grand legacy of Sneferu who was the 1st pharaoh of the 4th dynasty. It was created as the burial place for him within the cemetery of Dahshur. The ancient Egyptians believed in an afterlife, and they believed that the pharaohs would continue to rule in the afterlife. As a result, monumental tombs like the Red Pyramid were constructed to ensure the safe passage of the pharaoh into the afterlife and to serve as a lasting monument to their rule.

The construction of the Red Pyramid marks a significant development in the art of creating pyramids which acted as the blueprint for the construction of the famous pyramids of the Giza Complex.

What Are the Structures of the Red Pyramid?

Entrance to the Red Pyramid - Egypt Tours Portal

The Red Pyramid was built in (2575-2551), and it has one of the largest bases among the whole Pyramids in Egypt as each side measures (722 feet), with sides sloping the Red Pyramid at 43 degrees 22’ to avoid the inclination like the Bent Pyramid. The Red Pyramid is (105m) high, and (220m) wide, and it has three chambers inside. There is a passage (3 feet in height, and 4 feet in width) that leads to a chamber (12 meters high) with (11 steps). It is the fourth-highest Pyramid in Egypt as its layers are 160 stones.

The only entrance to the Red Pyramid is from the north side as it leads to a (206-foot passage to the first chamber). The Red Pyramid remains one of the greatest Pyramids that may have a secret chamber that we have not discovered yet. There is a burial chamber inside the Pyramid (23 feet long), and (50 feet high), but it is believed that there were robbers who took the treasures inside it, so. The burial was inside the Red Pyramid (Possibly).

Why Was It Called the Red Pyramid?

Why It Called the Red Pyramid - Egypt Tours Portal

The “Sneferu Shines" Red Pyramid is known for the reddish hue of its limestone blocks. It was constructed using a type of local limestone that had a reddish color, which gives the pyramid its distinctive appearance. It is worth noting that the pyramid was cased with Tura limestone which was later taken off by Rulers from the Fatimid and Mamluk periods to create the city of minarets Cairo.

The Exterior, Interior, and Chambers of the Red Pyramid

Burial Chamber of the Red Pyramid - Egypt Tours Portal

The Red Pyramid measures 105 meters in height and 220 meters in width which is a notable ancient structure. A rare pyramidion was found but its use remains uncertain due to its differing angle of inclination. It features ventilation systems for visitors for anyone who wants to access the interior, visitors climb stone steps to an entrance on the north side.

The Red Pyramid is Egypt's fourth-tallest pyramid, boasting nearly 160 stone layers and representing the first successful smooth-sided pyramid construction. This iconic structure marked Egypt's shift to Giza-style pyramids and is renowned as the country's first true cased pyramid. Tura limestone was used to case the pyramid but most of it was removed with time, Inside is a passage that slopes down at 27°, leading to a chamber with a 40-foot-high corbelled roof. A second chamber below the apex has a similar layout. The third chamber, reached by a wooden staircase, has a 50-foot-high roof but a rough floor, likely due to ancient attempts by robbers searching for treasure. The chamber orientations and features suggest it may have been the burial chamber of the pyramid.

Red Pyramid Gods & Spells

The Red Pyramid texts which are a collection of ancient Egyptian religious texts made of spells, prayers, and rituals to guide the decades across their journey to the afterlife to ensure their resurrection were inscribed on the walls of the burial chamber and corridors of the Red Pyramid. They invoked various ancient Egyptian deities which are Osiris, Anubis, and Atum, to protect and guide the pharaoh's soul in the afterlife where he will eventually join the gods and the field of the reeds.

What Are the Facts About the Red Pyramid?

Facts About the Red Pyramid - Egypt Tours Portal

There are facts about the Red Pyramid that we cannot doubt, here are some facts that all Egyptologists agreed on its truth:

The Red Pyramid is located on the west bank of the Nile River, this place (Dahshur) contains some important and ancient Pyramids in Egypt.
The Red Pyramid is also called "The North Pyramid, and The Bat Pyramid".
The Red Pyramid was built by King Senefru.
The Red Pyramid has more than 150 stone layers.
The Red Pyramid is the third-biggest in Egypt, as it stands for (105m in height).
The Pyramid is not always red, as it was completely built in limestone.
The Red Pyramid was an attempt to build a true Pyramid, as they had tried to build Pyramids before, but these attempts had failed.
There is no exact information about how long they built the Red Pyramids, as some Egyptologists believe that they took 17 years to build it, while others believe that they built it between 10 years and 7 months.
The entrance of the Red Pyramids is from the north side.
There are three chambers inside the Red Pyramid.
The main room of the Red Pyramid contains two million tons of stones.
The Red Pyramid is bigger than the Pyramid of Menkaure.

These facts are absolute truths that no one could question them.

Can I Visit the Red Pyramids?

The Mortuary Temple of Sneferu at the Red Pyramid - Egypt Tours Portal

The Red Pyramid was closed for many years, but it is now open to the whole tourists, in addition, intrusive ventilation has been installed which pipes air to the people down in the interior chambers. It is safe to visit the Red Pyramid individually, with families, or even with large groups. You can visit the Red Pyramid every day from 08:00 a.m. to 04:00 p.m. in the winter, and from 08:00 a.m. to 05:00 p.m. during summertime.

Tours at the Red Pyramid

Most travelers ask for an additional tour of the Red Pyramid besides their tour of the Pyramids in Giza for its importance as it is the third-biggest Pyramid in Egypt, and the first attempt to build a Pyramid:

1- Individually

You can arrange your tour of the Red Pyramid on your own, if you are in Egypt, design your own tour and hire a car that has GPS features and go directly via Google Maps, but make sure that you are going on time, as it is open from 08:00 am to 04:00 pm every day. We highly recommend going with a travel agency to avoid hassles, as they will provide you with a car, and also with an Egyptologist to help you to know more about the history of your Language.

2- In A Full Package

If you are not in Egypt and want to be part of this amazing experience, do not hesitate to book with a trusted travel agency to make your own tour. You can add it to the Pyramids day tour as it is not included because it is not in the same location as the three Pyramids, and as wise advice, we recommend visiting some other attractions such as Aswan, and Luxor city as it has two-thirds of the monuments of the world, and Hurghada city as this city has ones of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Conclusion

Upon considering all the facts, the Pyramids of Egypt is a grossing article to write, we have created many disputations over the years until the moment we are and will continue in the upcoming years, as the ancient Egyptians had not given up all of their immortal secrets even after over five thousand years of their death. These stone buildings will be one of most topics that scholars will talk about in the future.

Egypt Tours Portal offers single-day tours to Giza Pyramids including visiting the Red Pyramid and Egypt private tour packages to cover Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Alexandria, and Hurghada attractions. Do not miss trying this amazing experience with our travel agency as there is something for everyone to experience in our packages, there are many options for our guests, so you do not have to break the bank to explore the land of Pharaoh.

Tags: Cairo Monuments Pyramids

ETP TEAM

Egypt Tours Portal is dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich history, culture, and mysteries of ancient Egypt, helping travelers and history enthusiasts explore Egypt’s most iconic destinations and monuments. The team consists of experienced Egyptologists, archaeologists, historians, travelers, content creators, marketers, consultants, and explorers with 5–20 years of expertise in their respective fields.

The website provides accurate, regularly updated information developed by qualified experts and supported by trusted sources to ensure reliability and educational value. Drawing on more than 39 years of industry knowledge and resources, Egypt Tours Portal offers a wide range of travel services, including Egypt tours, Nile cruises, day tours, shore excursions and multi-country tours. Their services have earned positive reviews from travelers, recognition through awards, and mentions by respected news outlets and travel blogs, delivering both educational and memorable travel experiences across Egypt.

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