Ancient site · Giza
Step Pyramid of Djoser
The first pyramid ever raised in Egypt: a six-tier stone monument above the Saqqara necropolis, at the heart of a vast royal funerary complex.
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The story
The pyramid was built in the 27th century BC, during the Third Dynasty, as the burial place of Pharaoh Djoser, in the Saqqara necropolis north-west of the ruins of Memphis. Its six stacked tiers make it the earliest colossal stone building in Egypt. It originally stood about 62 m tall and was faced with polished white limestone. It forms the centrepiece of a vast funerary complex set in a great courtyard ringed by ceremonial structures. It reopened to visitors in March 2020 after a 14-year restoration.
Good to know
- The pyramid has six tiers and was the first Egyptian pyramid to be built.
- It originally stood about 62 m high and was clad in polished white limestone.
- It reopened to visitors in March 2020 after 14 years of restoration.