ancient Egyptian architecture: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Photos

Three large pyramids rise from the sandy desert at Giza, Egypt, with a group of people riding camels in the foreground and scattered clouds in the sky above.

Step Pyramid of Djoser

Diagram of a cross section of the Great Pyramid of Khufu near Giza, Egypt, showing labeled internal features such as the King's Chamber, Queen's Chamber, Grand Gallery, passageways, air shafts, and subterranean chamber.

Luxor temple complex

Great Temple of Amon

Great Temple of Ramses II

temple of Hatshepsut

Colossi of Memnon

Karnak: papyrus columns

See All Images →

Topics

ancient Egypt Pyramid Architecture Egyptian art and architecture Western architecture Today in History—December 27: Oceans (and Centuries) Apart Latin American architecture Japanese architecture Chinese architecture Renaissance architecture 26 Historic Buildings to Visit the Next Time You’re in Paris 25 Must-See Buildings in China 23 Must-See Buildings for Your First Trip to India African architecture

Dig Deeper: More Articles That Discuss This Topic

Egyptian art and architecture: Architecture

Al-Jizah. Giza Necropolis, Giza Plateau, Cairo, Egypt. Side view of Sphinx with the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) rising in the background. The sides of all three of the Giza pyramids are astronomically oriented to be north-south, east-west (see notes)

Pop Quiz: 18 Things to Know About Ancient Egypt

Hagia Sophia. Istanbul, Turkey. Constantinople. Church of the Holy Wisdom. Church of the Divine Wisdom. Mosque.

Architecture: The Built World