Turin: guided tour of the Egyptian Museum

Strongly desired by the royal family of Savoy, who wished to make their capital a “Grand Gallery” of ancient artefacts, the Egyptian Museum finally opened its doors to the public in 1824, in the heart of the royal city of Turin.

Following the purchase of the first major collection of artefacts dating back to the predynastic era, and with the aim of showcasing the art of beauty, over time the collection was expanded by the acquisition of new items, making the Egyptian Museum of Turin an international landmark for Ancient Egyptian history, second only to the famous museum of Cairo.

Today, the Egyptian Museum of Turin is an obligatory stop for anyone visiting the regional capital, whether they’re spending just a few days here or staying longer. This is a must-see museum for enthusiasts of the Egyptian world and beyond. So this experience is an invaluable opportunity to step back in time, for adults and children alike.

You’ll meet your guide in front of the museum’s entrance and set off together on a fantastic journey through time as you explore the wonderful world of hieroglyphs, sarcophagi, papyri and more.

What to expect:

The origins of the museum

Your visit begins on level -1, where you’ll learn the story that led to the founding of the Egyptian Museum: from Bernardino Drovetti’s acquisition of the first batch of artefacts to the excavations funded by the Savoy family, documented through photographs and tools.
Of these campaigns, the best known is the Italian Archaeological Mission headed by Ernesto Schiaparelli, who later became director of the Egyptian Museum in Turin. This extensive campaign in sites such as Giza and Deir el-Medina led to the discovery of artefacts, tombs and relics of inestimable beauty and importance.

From the Predynastic Era to the New Kingdom

With your guide, you’ll travel from the predynastic era to the New Kingdom, via periods such as the Old and Middle Kingdoms, as well as the Intermediate Period.
You’ll marvel at the most ancient works in the entire museum, including the oldest tomb ever discovered in Egypt, dating from 3600-3300 BC. You’ll be able to see with your own eyes the ancient burial techniques of the deceased, who were gently laid on a bed of sand surrounded by the everyday items that were their grave goods, to rest in eternal sleep.
Alongside burial arrangements, there are also ceramics and various kinds of utensils dating back to the predynastic era, when the early foundations of hieroglyphic writing were laid. Highlights of the museum’s collection are the sarcophagi of Ramses II and his wife, and with your guide you’ll be captivated by their unparalleled splendour and beauty.

Excavations of Deir El-Medina

Accompanied by your guide, you’ll be immersed in the archaeological excavations of Deir el-Medina. You’ll learn that this was an ancient community of artists, located on the West Bank of Luxor.
During the tour, you’ll come across priceless artefacts, including the celebrated statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep I and his wife Nefertiti, the founders of the settlement. You’ll admire papyri that narrate everyday life and discover one particular document that bears evidence of the world’s oldest workers’ strike, called by the villagers themselves. No less beautiful is the Tomb of Kha and Merit and its golden mask, discovered during Schiaparelli’s Italian expedition.

Gallery of sarcophagi

You’ll trace the evolution of the world’s most famous and distinctive funerary technique, in which the Egyptians were true masters.
Although the early techniques were very simple, at the height of the Egyptian civilization, exquisitely decorated sarcophagi, considered true pictorial masterpieces, became more common. Here in the museum, you’ll be able to admire these; some of them even had room for stuffed sacred animals, both common pets and more unusual animals, including a shrew.

Hall of Kings

You’ve reached the final stage of your journey, and this is where the most impressive statues are, including those of Rameses II, Thutmose III and the lioness goddess Sekhmet.
At first glance these statues may look similar to each other, but they are not. These colossal statues have been meticulously maintained down to the smallest detail, and contain extraordinary symbolism, which you can discover with the help of your expert guide. Indeed, behind each of them is a unique story, well worth hearing.