Seen from above, the Pyramid of Khafre shows the remains of its original limestone casing near the summit, a distinctive feature that marks it out on the Giza plateau. Erected for the pharaoh Khafre around 2570 BC, this pyramid was designed to commemorate his kingship and continues to inspire awe with its timeless architecture. Standing at 471 feet (143 meters), it is marginally shorter than the Great Pyramid of Khufu; however, its elevation on the taller rock adds to its overall visibility and significance. This impressive building embodies the richness of ancient Egypt’s heritage and reflects the exceptional skill and dedication of its architects and builders.

Explore the Pyramid of Khafre | A Glimpse into Ancient Egyptian Burial Rituals

The Pyramid of Khafre is the second-largest pyramid in the Giza Plateau. Located to the southwest of the older Pyramid of Khufu, it was built by the ancient Egyptian pharaoh Khafre, the son of Khufu around 2570 BC.

This pyramid is unique for retaining a section of its original white outer casing stones at the very top. Find out more about this ancient wonder.

What is the Pyramid of Khafre?

The Pyramid of Khufu was built on the Giza Plateau after the Great Pyramid of Khufu. It was intended as a tomb for the pharaoh Khafre, who succeeded his older brother Djedefre to the throne. The pyramid was constructed out of granite and limestone and completed around 2570 BC.

While at first glance it appears larger than Khufu’s Pyramid, this is just due to its more elevated location, and the steeper angles of its sides. In fact, it is slightly smaller in both height and volume.

Interesting facts about the Pyramid of Khafre

The Pyramid of Khafre is the only one at Giza that still retains a portion of its polished white limestone casing. You can see it at the very top.
The pyramid has a square base that measures 215.5 meters (706 feet) along each side and rises up to a height of 136 meters (448 feet).
Originally, Khufu’s Pyramid was 143.5 meters or 471 feet tall but has shrunk by around 7 meters over the millennia.
The interior of the pyramid is quite simple, consisting of two entrances, one that is 12 m high and the other at ground level, about 30 m away from the base.
When the Italian explorer and archeologist Giovanni Battista Belzoni entered the burial chamber, he discovered that it was empty and the opened sarcophagus now only contained a few animal bones.
The Pyramid of Khafre was damaged in the 14th century when an earthquake struck, causing severe damage to the structure.