The German city of Cologne is alive with energy and anticipation as the “Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs” travelling exhibition continues to captivate the hearts and the minds of audiences, drawing them in with promises of untold ancient wonders and treasures.
The exhibition marks its fifth stop after captivating audiences in the US, Paris, and Australia.
Enthusiasm for this showcase of ancient splendour is palpable, with banners adorning the streets, metro stations, and residential buildings, offering tantalising glimpses of the treasures that lie within the Odysseum Hall from July 13 to January 6 of the following year.
Visitors line up outside the Odysseum, eager to immerse themselves in the history, majesty, and victories of Ramses II’s 67-year reign.
At the heart of this exhibition lies the grandeur of Ramses II (1303 BC – 1213 BC), with his monumental coffin taking centre stage, inviting visitors to delve into the life and legacy of this illustrious pharaoh.
Images of the king’s coffin grace the front pages of German newspapers and magazines, sparking a wave of intrigue and fascination amongst the masses.
The exhibition features an array of 180 priceless artefacts unfolding before visitors, showcasing the unparalleled craftsmanship and opulence of ancient Egypt.
From royal statues to glittering jewellery, each piece tells a story of a bygone era, inviting guests to step back in time and experience the grandeur of Egypt’s ancient rulers.
Renowned archaeologist Zahi Hawass unveiled the layers of Ramses’ greatness, highlighting his prowess as a warrior, a peacemaker, and a prolific builder whose impact is felt across Egypt to this day.
He attended the opening ceremony of the exhibition where he told the German audience, “Ramses, a renowned king and a skilled warrior, was known for his numerous battles and for being the first to establish a peace treaty. In addition to his military prowess, Ramses was also a prolific builder, leaving his mark in various locations.”
Hawass, also the curator of the exhibition, said in our modern era that starkly contrasts with ancient Egypt, this exhibition offers visitors a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of Ramses and explore a society vastly different from our own.
Ascending to the throne at the age of 25, he faced threats from Libyan tribes in the northwest and the formidable Hittite Empire in modern-day Türkiye, Syria, and Lebanon. Known for his military prowess, Ramses learned the art of war at a young age and fought alongside his father in battles against neighbouring foes. One of his most famous campaigns was the Battle of Kadesh, which took place in the 13th century BC.
Skilled in diplomacy, Ramses negotiated the world’s first known peace treaty with the Hittites 16 years later, showcasing his ability to transition from conflict to cooperation. This treaty, a symbol of non-aggression and mutual support, is still preserved and displayed at the United Nations HQ in New York.
Ramses II is renowned for his impressive architectural projects that left a lasting legacy in ancient Egypt. Thanks to his alliance with the Hittites, Ramses was able to focus on cultural and economic advancements, leading to the construction of numerous monumental buildings, including the new capital Pi-Ramesses.
His burial palace, the Ramesseum, housed a vast library and a colossal stone statue immortalising his reign. Among his most famous works are the temples of Karnak, Luxor, and Abu Simbel, showcasing his grandeur and earning him the title “Ramses the Great.”
Ramses II’s mummy has remained in Egypt, except for a brief preservation trip to Paris in 1976. Today, his mummy rests in the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation in Cairo, a symbol of his enduring impact on ancient Egyptian history.
At the exhibition, visitors can only marvel at his cedar coffin, adorned with hieroglyphs that honour the pharaoh. Despite being relocated multiple times throughout the millennia to safeguard it from tomb raiders, the coffin has remained vulnerable.
Alongside are statues portraying him and his kin, extravagant jewellery, mummified animals, and death masks.
Famed archaeologist Mostafa Waziry, a former secretary-general of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, has been instrumental in coordinating numerous international exhibitions over the span of 25 years, such as the one in Cologne.
During an interview with the German news channel, n-tv, Waziry said the exhibition artefacts were transported using a dedicated cargo aircraft.
“It is crucial for us to ensure that the items are packed securely, and for this purpose, we collaborate with the top company in the field. Additionally, comprehensive insurance coverage is always a prerequisite for our travels,” he said.
What adds more excitement to this exhibition is a virtual reality experience that transports visitors on a thrilling journey through Ramses’ most iconic monuments, offering a rare glimpse into the temples of Abu Simbel and the temple of his beloved queen Nefertari.
Seated in dynamic motion chairs, visitors soar through sandstorms, navigate ancient ruins, and come face-to-face with the mummy of Ramses II, embarking on an adventure that blurs the lines between past and present.
Moreover, the exhibition goes beyond Ramses II to delve into the grandeur of royal tombs in ancient Egypt. It showcases recently discovered animal mummies from the Saqqara Necropolis excavated by Waziry’s team, in addition to treasures unearthed at the archaeological sites of Dahshur and Tanis.