The colossal statue of Ramesses II is a massive sculpture carved during the reign of Ramses II in ancient Egypt. It was originally located in the Great Temple of Ptah in Memphis, the capital of the Old Kingdom of Egypt. Discovered in 1820, the statue stood among the ruins of Memphis for 130 years before being transported to Cairo in 1954. The statue was assembled and restored, standing in the center of Bab Al-Hadid Square for half a century. In 2006, it was moved to Giza to protect it from air pollution and later to the entrance steps of the new Grand Egyptian Museum in 2018.
The statue stands 10 meters high, made of limestone, and weighs over 80 tons. It has been carved without any visible imperfections. The pharaoh is depicted wearing the double crown, representing his power over Upper and Lower Egypt. The royal headdress known as "Nemes" and adorned with stripes is also visible, along with a tape on the forehead featuring representations of the vulture and cobra, symbols of goddesses Nekhebet and Wadjet.
The sculpture has almond-shaped eyes, a straight nose, and curved lips in a subtle smile. The pharaoh is also depicted wearing a short skirt known as "shenti or schenti," girded with a belt. The statue of Ramesses II is a remarkable piece of ancient Egyptian art that showcases the power and grandeur of the pharaoh Ramses II.
