Pharaonic Splendor in Cologne:

Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs opens its doors,

showcasing 3,000-year-old original treasures at the ODYSSEUM

Cologne, July 11, 2024: Direct from Egypt, the highly anticipated exhibition, Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs opens to the public at the ODYSSEUM Cologne on Saturday, July 13, 2024, and runs until January 5, 2025.

This spectacular new exhibition, making its first appearance in Germany, will showcase more than 180 exquisite antiquities from the pyramids and museums of Egypt, along with their extraordinary stories. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the treasures of these ancient wonders right here in Cologne. Ancient Egypt, the land of pharaohs, extraordinary art, cultural splendour, and home to the only remaining Ancient Wonder of the World—the pyramids—has captivated the imagination of people across the globe and generations. The name of its legendary pharaoh, Ramses the Great, has also endured. Now, visitors to the ODYSSEUM can discover the legacy of Ramses the Great and the treasures of the ancient pyramids for themselves.

About the Exhibition

Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs is an interactive museum experience featuring more than 180 priceless artifacts and ornate golden treasures, including one-of-a-kind relics such as sarcophagi, animal mummies, magnificent jewellery, spectacular royal masks, and exquisite amulets—many of which have never left Egypt before. The era of Ramses the Great was also a time of incredible artistic innovation. This extraordinary exhibition showcases signature pieces including the famous coffin of Ramses the Great, the priceless golden masks of Amenemope, the extraordinary necklace of Psusennes, and mummified animals including cats, crocodiles, and even a lion cub. All of the objects in “Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs” have come from museums and historical sites in Egypt and are on loan from Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities.

Coffin of Ramses II

Dating from the late Eighteenth Dynasty, the carved cedar coffin of Ramses II and its occupant was discovered in 1881 within the Royal Cache at Deir el-Bahari—an Egyptian archaeological site located on the west bank of the Nile River, opposite the city of Luxor and east of the Valley of the Kings. The cedar coffin was not originally designed for the pharaoh. Probably dating from the late Eighteenth Dynasty, it would have once been overlaid with gilding and inlays of precious stones or glass. The surface was later stripped and painted yellow, with a handful of details highlighted in bright colours and the eyes outlined in black.

Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs provides visitors with a window into the life and accomplishments of King Ramses II, more commonly known as Ramses the Great, who ruled Egypt for nearly 67 years—the second-longest reign for any pharaoh in Ancient Egyptian history. Ramses the Great, who lived to about 92 years of age, epitomized the power and wealth of Ancient Egypt during the New Kingdom period, 1539-1075 BCE, when Egyptian civilization was at its height. Ramses was known as a mighty warrior who secured peace with his neighbours, led an extensive building campaign that included scores of gigantic monuments to himself, and is believed to have fathered over 100 children.

Virtual Reality Experience

Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs also features a virtual reality experience that takes visitors on a whirlwind tour of two of Ramses’ most impressive monuments: the Tomb of Queen Nefertari, his favourite Royal Consort, and the temples of Abu Simbel.

Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs comes to Cologne after successful seasons in Paris and Sydney. Germany will be the last stop before the exhibition is displayed for an extended period in Asia. “Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs” is presented in partnership with World Heritage Exhibitions, Neon, and the Houston Museum of Natural Science.

Andreas Waschk, CEO Explorado Group GmbH, said that Germans are fortunate to have these irreplaceable and historic artefacts here in Cologne: “Exhibitions of this scale don’t come around very often – they’re complex undertakings that involve hundreds of people and years of negotiation. We are so proud presenting Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs and these superb artefacts that have survived 3,000 years at the ODYSSEUM. I urge everyone to take a trip back in time to see Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs exhibition, an incredible opportunity to visit Ancient Egypt directly in Cologne.”

Curator of the exhibition, renowned archaeologist and former Minister of Antiquities, Dr. Zahi Hawass said the one of the most wonderful things about this exhibition is that it reveals the world Ramses took over when he became pharaoh: “Our modern world is so different from Ancient Egypt. With this exhibition visitors will be immersed in the world of Ramses and discover a completely different way of life. Works of art – statues, jewellery, carvings – made by Ancient Egyptians were intended to honour and immortalise revered pharaohs. They’re well on their way to doing so, given so many still remain today, bringing their stories to life. These are just a few of the exquisite items included in the exhibition. This is a rare opportunity for German audiences to discover the unique craftsmanship and sophistication of objects and artworks dating from within the Bronze Age of 3000 BCE to the Classical Age 1st century CE,” Hawass added.

Information and Tickets

Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs will be open until January 5, 2025, at the ODYSSEUM. Tickets are available exclusively on www.ticketmaster.de.

Admission prices for Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs start at €16.00 for children and €22.00 for adults. Family and group tickets are also available, as well as discounted prices for seniors and students. Please note that tickets are valid for a specific time slot. Extra tickets are required for the VR tour.