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It is large, divine, and straight from the legendary Sphinx myths of Egypt. The Great Sphinx of Giza is one of the oldest statues of the world and depicts a reclining mythical figure which has body of a lion and a human head. It sits in Giza which is situated on the western bank of the Nile River in Egypt and the nearest big city to the place is Cairo.

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The statue of the Great Sphinx of Giza is made of limestone and has a length of 73.5 metres with a width of 19.3 metres and a height of 20.22 metres. Though, it is still not certain as to who or when the statue got constructed but, most of the assumptions date it back to the era of Pharaoh Khafra of Egypt. Over the course of years a number of studies have taken place in order to dig these details about the Great Sphinx of Giza with little success so far. However, the Great Sphinx of Giza has remained an extremely popular tourist spot for ages and continues to be so.

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Such is the importance of The Great Sphinx of Giza in the Egyptian context that it is now considered as a symbol for the country. Apart from the tourists, the place has also been a favourite destination of many poets, scholars and adventurous, all of whom try to seek the hidden mysteries of the mythical figure. Though, sphinxes are visible in many regions of Egypt but, the Great Sphinx stands apart from all of them by its sheer immensity. Beneath the statue, it seems there existed a quarry once where the people of Khafre are known to have worked. The studies of the statue reveal that it is not just an isolated creation but, in order to understand it you should also analyse its surroundings. The Great Sphinx of Giza is therefore known to be a part of a complex which also included a temple and some other small buildings.

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As like most other sphinxes, the Great Sphinx also faces the rising sun and thereby stands for a symbol of power and might. Previously on the top of the head of the statue there was a hole which once supported additional decoration but later was filled up. There have been many times, in course of decades that the body of the Great Sphinx of Giza has got covered by sand till the face and has been later excavated by engineers. Today, the statue is in course of decay because of the effects of pollution, smog, and humidity which drifts in this direction from Cairo. A number of places in the statue have developed fissures which are patched from time to time with cement. Erosion is also happening from wind and it is expected that in some years we will be witnessing the complete deterioration and destruction of such a great wonder.

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The city of Giza, apart from the Great Sphinx, is also famous for food and accommodation. The best way of reaching is by metro or taxi or bus from Cairo.